Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Vegan Strawberries dipped Chocolate

I've been planning to post this recipe for a long time but I couldn't find the words for it. Last week, while devouring our delicious vegan desserts at the V-Note, I asked two of my girlfriends for some inspiration. Words like "Romantic", "Sensual", "Indulgence" and "Seductive" were thrown in the air. One of them even mentioned the similarity between a strawberry and a tongue Oh..Kay, let's not go there... there's kids in the audience. ;) Speaking of kids, here's an idea for a fun playdate activity. Children love to help dip strawberries in chocolate and it's like a mini science project to see the chocolate turn back to solid. The only … Keep Reading

Stuffed Grape Leaves in Green Tahini Sauce

Vegan Dolmas

Stuffed grape leaves or as they are  traditionally called, 'Dolmas', always seem like a holiday party food to me. Something that aunts and grandmas prepare in groups while gossiping in some far away village a long, long time ago. I wanted to try and make them to see if I could roll food that looks like cigars... I also like the surprise factor of when you cut open a roll or a stuffed vegetable and discover the filling inside, so I decided to take on the challenge. I looked for recipes and inspiration and finally made a combination of cooked traditional recipes and the raw version made by my favorite raw food restaurant in NYC, Pure Food … Keep Reading

Chocolatey Chia Seed Pudding with Cardamon Spice

Chia Chocolate

If you live on "Planet Health" you've probably heard about Chia seeds. The  super food miracle seed. Full of nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants and so much more!! One spoon of this stuff is like getting a boost of good energy into your "system" and if it's served as a dessert, even better (: When soaked long enough in liquid, chia seeds will expand up to 12 times their size and will look like a thick jell/pudding . Pudding that is perfect for breakfast with cut fruit or as a chocolate desert. Flavor it any way you'ld like—vanilla, cinnamon, or coffee. In this recipe, I added Cardamon for that exotic essence, but make … Keep Reading

Spicy Carrot “Noodles” with Black Lentil and Mixed Greens

IMG_7170

When I saw these heirloom carrots, I knew I had to make them the star of a dish. So beautiful, they look like sunshine in a plate… and I sure need some sunshine now in this freezing New York winter ;)  I thought of making a Moroccan carrot salad with Harissa (which is a paste made of hot chillies), but I didn't want a side dish. I was looking to make a salad that can pass as a meal by itself. It came out so good! Spicy carrot "noodles" and greens with the addition of black lentils- which made it a protein rich dish (for everyone asking "where do you get your protein?) even though there is protein in the carrots, the greens and in the pumpkin … Keep Reading

Red Hot Chili Peppers -The Paste

Hot Peppers

I'm still on a roll to cover all the basics, which means ingredients that I use as "helpers" when I'm ready to "throw something on the stove", make a quick sandwich or marinade I always have some kind of spread, sauce or a paste like this one to add into the mix and kick it up a notch. There are so many hot sauces and hot pepper pastes you could buy but it's so much more fun to make one of your own and play with it until it fits your taste. I like to make it more like Harissa sauce which is a north african hot chili sauce. I don't really follow strict rules or recipes here. You can use dried chillies or fresh ones like Jalapeño. In this … Keep Reading