Coconut Almond Cookies with Lemon Cheesecake Frosting

These cookies are adapted from a recipe I saw in the book Rawmazing Desserts. I changed a lot of the techniques and process of the recipe to make it easier and more raw friendly.  Here is my version! 

Coconut Almond Cookies with Lemon Cheesecake Frosting

(Cookies) 

1 cup raw almonds, soaked for 4 hours

1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup pure maple syrup*

1/4 cup agave

Process soaked almonds in a food processor. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Scoop cookie dough with a 1 T stainless steel scoop onto nonstick dehydrator sheets. Flatten dough into a cookie shape. Dehydrate at 105 degrees for approximately 12 hours, turning half way.  

(Frosting)

1 cup cashews, soaked for 4 hours

1/4 cup agave

1/2 cup lemon juice

zest of 2 lemons

1/3 cup coconut oil

1/2 t pure vanilla extract

1 T nutritional yeast

pinch of Himalayan salt

Combine all ingredients in a Vitamix and blend until smooth. Place frosting in fridge to get cold and firm. Place a spoonful on cookie before serving and top with fresh raspberry if desired.

*maple syrup is not raw but sometimes used in raw food preparations.

Raw Cheesy Kale Chips

I adore kale and love the these RAW kale chips with cashew "cheese".  I have adapted the recipe from one of Green Smoothie Girl. It is the perfect healthy snack in my opinion...GREEN, crisp and salty! 

Raw Cheesy Kale Chips

2 bunches kale 

1/3 cup raw cashews

1/4 cup EVOO

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

2 T fresh lemon juice

3 T water

2 green onions

2 garlic cloves

1/2 t Himalayan salt

1/2 t chili powder

1/2 t sweet paprika

1/4 t turmeric

1/4 t black pepper

Wash and dry kale leaves and tear into small pieces. Mix all other ingredients in a Vitamix and blend until smooth.  I "painted" the mixture onto the kale with a pastry brush.  I prefer a little less "cheese" and more kale on the chips! But you can add however much you like! Place kale in a food dehydrator set at or below 115 degrees and dehydrate for 4-6 hours or until crispy.

 

Before and after the kale has been dehydrated!

Dried Pineapple

I found pineapples at the store for .55 cents each one day...so of course I bought TONS and quickly started dehydrating them!  You want to wait until the pineapples are fairly ripe.  There are two ways to tell a pineapple is ripe. You can smell it or you can pull the very center leaves. If it pulls really easy, the pineapple is ripe. Peel and core the pineapple and cut into desired slices.  Place on food dehydrator tray and dry according to directions on food dehydrator.  I dried mine for approximately 15 hours at 155 degrees.  The pineapple is super sweet and is an excellent snack to munch on! It really is one of nature's best candy!! The intense pineapple flavor is so concentrated and seriously divine!

Dried Red Bosc Pears

I was at my friends house and tried some of her dried pears!  It was like little jewels of heaven in my mouth!  I LOVED them!  So my first experiment in my food dehydrator was making dried pears.  I found red Bosc pears on sale so I went with them! Wash and dry the pears with skin on, core them, and cut in uniform slices.  Dip the pears in a bath of fresh squeezed orange juice (or other acid) to prevent oxidation, vitamin loss and ugly browning in dried pears. Place pears in a single layer on food dehydrator tray and dry according to your food dehydrators instructions. I dried my pears at 155 degrees for approximately 10 hours. I use my pears as a healthy sweet snack plain.  But, you can also put them in oatmeal, preserves, trail mix, salads, and muffins!

Kale Chips

I saw the Beverly Hills chefs on food network make some Kale chips and knew I HAD to make some!! They turned out so yummy...the perfect healthy snack!!  And they are SUPER SIMPLE!!....

Kale CHIPS

1 head kale

olive oil

sea salt

fresh cracked pepper 

garlic herb seasoning or no salt seasoning 

Wash and dry kale well. Remove the ribs from the kale and cut into small pieces. Pour olive oil on kale in a bowl. Mix and sprinkle with seasonings of choice. Place in your dehydrator and dry at 110 degrees until crispy, approximately 10-12 hours.