Aubergine Jerky

-REQUIRES A DEHYDRATOR-
This is based off of how I learned to make eggplant "bacon"; but I think it tastes more like jerky. It's quite nice.

2 Aubergines (eggplants)
1/4 ripe Avocado
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2-4 Tbsp Maple Syrup (depending on how sweet you want it)
2 Tbsp Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast (optional)
1/2 Tsp (or more) Fleur De Sel or sea salt
1/4 Tsp Cayenne or Chilli Powder
A few pinches of black pepper
Pinch of Thyme

Throw all ingredients except the aubergine into the blender and create a marinade by mixing on high speed, stirring regularly as needed. Slice the purpley goodness into thin strips, coat it with the glaze (I just tossed it all in a bowl with my hands then laid it out...but I am lazy) and allow to marinade for an hour or so. Dehydrate at 40 degrees C-this may take up to 2 full days (do NOT leave the dehydrator on while you sleep) but it is worth it.

Above is a "BLT" type sandwich I made using the aubergine jerky, spinach leaves, chopped cherry tomatoes, Basic Cashew Cheeze, and nutritional yeast on top of some (not raw) rye bread. mmmmm...

HOLY DONUTS!

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think this may be my new favourite food. Maybe. I don't know, but. DROOOL!
Chocolatey raw donut holes. Oh. Absolutely. AMAZING. and EASY!! I like easy.

100g (or about 7/8 cups I think) Brazil Nuts
240 ml (1 cup) Dried pitted Dates
1/2 Tbsp Virgin (cold-pressed) Coconut Oil
1/2 Tbsp Agave Syrup
----
Coating:
3/4 Tbsp raw Carob Powder
pinch of Cinnamon

In a food processor (or a blender if you do not have one), put one ingredient in at a time starting with the nuts and blend.
Put the Carob Powder & Cinnamon in a bowl. Take the donut mixture and scoop out with a Tablespoon. (pack it into the tablespoon with your fingers, then press it so it gently slides out and you have a half-ball shape. That's at least, how I find the easiest way to do this.) Take the half-balls and roll them, with the round side facing down, in the carob mix-shake off the excess. Will make about 13 donut holes if I remember correctly. Mmmmm.

Good-bye gluten, hello-a Quinoa!

My dear old Daddio reccomended I try this fantastic stuff called quinoa (thanks Dad, this is FAB!) to replace whole-wheat pasta, since that was one of the few things I was cooking and the only thing I was still eating containing gluten, an inflammatory agent found in wheat and other grains. I decided to do a bit of research online and make the quinoa the raw way, and YUM, it is absolutely FANTASTIC stuff. I FAR prefer this to pasta!

I decided to make a salad that's reminiscent of pasta-but I like this much better.

Quinoa Pasta Salad

150g uncooked Quinoa (you can buy this in the health food section at Tesco's, or I'd imagine anywhere else you do your shopping seeing as how Tesco's is a "commercial" grocery store!)
1 Large Aromatic Vine Ripened Tomato
2 Medium Greens Leafs (A large handful of spinach leafs would substitute fine, I'd imagine.)
1 Tbsp Pine Nut Pesto, optional
Ground "Feef" for meatballs
Nutritional yeast
White Pepper

Soak the quinoa in a bowl of water-leave it overnight, for between 12-18 hours. The Quinoa will soak up the water, soften and sprout a bit. Drain the excess water and divide between two bowls. Chop the tomatoes and Greens and divide them, spread them over the bowls....use a half-teaspoon to make mini meatballs to put in (I used 6 meatballs per bowl. spread out a little bit of pesto if you like, and use nutritional yeast in place of parmesan cheese. Nutritional yeast is fantastic because it is loaded with rich B vitamins and is deactivated so you needn't worry about candida. Sprinkle the salad with white pepper to taste and serve. Serves 2, of course, but you can easily double, triple, or quadruple this recipe if you are uncooking for a larger crowd. This is very quick and easy to make-took me less than 10 minutes to throw everything together after the sprouts had been soaked. Easy healthy dinner!