Red Pepper, Celery, and Spice Dressing

Ingredients:
1/2 cup red bell pepper
1/2 cup celery
1/4 cup dates, pitted & packed
1/4 cup “Italian Dressing” seasoning *recipe below
2-4 Tbsp lime juice (adjust to taste)
2-4 Tbsp cold pressed olive oil (adjust to taste)
2 green onions, whole

In a blender add dates, red bell pepper, celery, lime juice, and green onions and blend on low until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary. Once smooth pour in the olive oil. Add seasonings last, adjusting to taste.

Store in a glass container in the fridge. Flavour improves over time. Makes about 2 cups.

Try replacing dried spices with fresh basil, oregano, parsley and garlic; seasoning with pepper & sea salt as needed. You can also replace red pepper or/and celery with water for a different taste.

Saucy Apple Lemon Drink

Ingredients:
3 cups or 3-4 apples, peeled and chopped
3 Tbsp dates, pitted and packed
3 Tbsp lemon juice (about half a large lemon)
1-2 bananas
optional, cold water or crushed ice

In a blender, add the dates, lemon juice and banana. Place the chopped apples on top, and blend until smooth. Add cold water or crushed ice last, if desired; or place in the fridge to chill.

Try adding a slice of fresh ginger, if you like it.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

This was the first smoothie I ever tried - and loved.

Shortly after becoming a raw vegan, I went to a smoothie place and ordered a strawberry banana; with no dairy -  they sure made it difficult (didn't know how to make it, had to get the store owner etc.), but in the end it was worth it because it motivated me to start making my own smoothies.

Ingredients:

2 medium bananas

1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries (or to taste)
1/4 cup filtered water, as needed
1 - 3 handfuls of spinach - optional; for a green smoothie.

2 Tbsp dates - optional; adds nutrition and sweetness

In a blender, add water and bananas and puree. Then add dates and strawberries (and spinach if using), and blend until smooth. Add ice if using fresh strawberries. Try replacing the water with orange juice (or blended whole orange). 

Add 1-3 teaspoons of raw almond butter, coconut butter or any ground nut or seed (try hemp, sesame, chia or sunflower seeds, brazil nuts, pecans, walnuts, or cashews) - for a creamier smoothie.

Herb and Garlic Sprouted Almond Pate

Ingredients:

1 cup raw almonds - before soaking
1/2 - 1 cup carrots (less is richer)
1/4 cup filtered water - as needed
1 Tbsp cold pressed olive oil

1 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp onion, dried (powder)
1 - 2 Tbsp oregano, dried or more fresh
1/2 Tbsp garlic, dried (powder)
1/2 Tbsp parsley, dried or more fresh

1 tsp sea salt - to taste

Soak almonds 8 hours or overnight. Rinse well and drain. Let sit out until little tails start to sprout. Optionally, you can peel them, for a lighter pate.

In a food processor add almonds and carrots (start with 1/2) and pulse together. Then add oil, vinegar, and water as needed to thin out, process then add seasonings, adjusting if necessary and process again. You can use your own herb, or Italian seasoning mix here. Also try adding red bell pepper (2 1/2 -4 Tbsp or more), and fresh basil to the pate.