December 26, 2010

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Breakfast
Fruit Cereal
serves 1 ~ $.70 per serving

1 banana ($.15)
1 tablespoon walnuts ($.05)
1 tablespoon coconut flakes ($.10)
1 cup almond milk ($.40)
pinch cinnamon

I usually wait until Sunday morning to plan what I’m going to make for the blog. This morning I woke up absolutely certain I had not one single idea … and I was working with fairly low food supplies as well. Raw and vegan foods are really no different from (or more complicated than) any other type of foods, though, and a few meals can be pulled together if there are a few staples available.

This doesn’t contain any actual cereal grains, but does give that same feeling of nice big bowl of cereal and milk. The milk is even sweet and drinkable when finished.

Layer the banana, nuts, and coconut flakes in a bowl. Pour in almond milk. Top with pinch of cinnamon and an optional teaspoon of agave or other sweetener.

 

calories: 382
fat: 20 gr
carbs: 41 gr
protein: 6 gr  
 
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Lunch

Mushroom Burgers
serves 2 ~ $2.40 per serving

burgers

1/2 red pepper ($.45)
1/4 cup ground flax seeds ($.10)
10 oz mushrooms ($2.49)
1/3 cup walnuts ($.50)
1/2 white onion, chopped ($.13)
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped ($.05)
1 rib celery, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil ($.20)

avocado mayo

1 ripe avocado ($.78)
1 teaspoon agave ($.10)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon vinegar

This is more preparation than I usually do, but it still took less than a half hour of actual work. Mostly, it’s planning ahead. To make the burgers, wash the mushrooms well. Then, to enhance the flavor slightly and remove any excess water from washing, dehydrate the mushrooms for an hour or two.

In a blender, puree the red pepper until liquefied, adding water as needed for blending. Stir together with the ground flax seeds and let the flax seeds soak in this for 15 minutes or so, until the flax seeds have become gooey. This is what will hold the burgers together.

Reserve about 1/4 of the dehydrated mushrooms and set aside. In a food processor fitted with an “S” blade, pulse the mushrooms, walnuts, jalapeno, onion, and celery until chopped finely. Stir in the red pepper and flax mixture and two tablespoons olive oil.
 
Form burgers and place on a teflex or plastic sheet. I spread a bit of olive oil on my sheets so the burgers will flip easily. Dehydrate for about 2 hours then flip onto a regular dehydrator screen and let finish dehydrating, which takes about another 2 hours.

The avocado mayo is simple. Just blend the avocado, agave, vinegar and spices until creamy. I used the blender and think this probably needs it to be creamy enough, although mashing with a fork would probably suffice.

Serve the burgers on a bed of lettuce leaves, with a dollop of avocado mayo, some chopped red onion, chopped jalapenos, and the slightly dehydrated mushrooms that were set aside earlier.

I was getting impatient, and hungry, and took my photos below before these were fully dehydrated. They will get a bit darker than is shown here. With the oil in the mix as well as on the sheets, they are as much like a burger as just about anything I’ve seen.


calories:
223
fat: 20 gr
carbs: 7 gr

protein: 6 gr


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Dinner
Tomato Basil Soup
serves 2 ~ $1.83 per serving

3 tomatoes ($3.00)
2 carrots, chopped ($.20)
2 celery stalks ($.20)
1 medium onion ($.05)
4 tablespoons olive oil ($.40) 
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

red pepper flakes

This is so simple and so satisfying and takes just a very few minutes to make.

Add all ingredients to blender and puree until smooth. Top with a few red pepper flakes and a drizzle of oil. Lately, I’ve been trying blended soups with the oil lessened or omitted and they’re just as delicious.

 

calories: 338
fat: 28 gr
carbs: 23 gr
protein: 5 gr 

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Dessert
Triple Chocolate
serves 4 ~ $.96 per serving
brownie bits
1/3 cup walnuts ($.50)
1/3 cup raisins ($.50)
2 tablespoons cocoa or cacao powder ($.20)
pinch salt
chocolate chunks
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted ($.20)
2 tablespoons agave ($.10)
1 tablespoon cocoa or cacao powder ($.10)
ice cream
6 bananas, sliced and frozen ($1.20)
1 cup almond milk ($.40)
1 teaspoon vanilla ($.20)
3 tablespoons cacao or cocoa powder ($.30)
pinch salt
This isn’t quite as complicated as it seems, and boy does it hit the chocolate spot. 
Make the ice cream first. In a blender, puree all the ice cream ingredients until smooth and creamy. This will be like soft serve ice cream and is wonderful as is, but for this recipe pour into a container and freeze, stirring every 20 minutes or so until stiff. This can also be processed in an ice cream maker.
Make the brownie bits in the food processor, using the “S” blade. Process all the brownie bit ingredients until the mix starts sticking and clumping and can be pressed into a ball. Spread out on wax paper, about 1/4 inch thick, and refrigerate for at least a half hour to harden.
For the chocolate chunks, stir together all the chocolate chunk ingredients until smooth and creamy and well incorporated. Spread out on wax paper and refrigerate until hard.
To assemble, just break the brownie into bits and the chocolate into chunks and stir into the chocolate ice cream.
Store any leftovers in a covered container in the freezer and allow to soften slightly before serving.
calories: 404
fat: 16 gr
carbs: 73 gr
protein: 5 gr
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Total cost for the day: $5.89
total calories: 1,374
total fat: 84 gr
total carb: 144 gr
total protein: 22 gr
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Question of the Year
 
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
 


12 Responses

  1. Frannie says:

    Lovely recipes as always. I make a tomato soup but never added carrots before. I need to try this.
    My New Years resolution…..
    To eat healthy and as raw as possible and stop by your blog more often and try more of your wonderful recipes.
    Thank you for sharing such wonderful recipes.
    Happy New Year.
    Frannie

  2. Antony says:

    It's the last day of our detox and these delicious recipes are inspiring me with hungry visions of a 2011 with lots of raw eating. Thank you Lisa!

    My new year resolution is to move further towards a healthy, happy, balanced way of life.

    Happy New Year
    Antony xx

  3. the soup, the choc cake, it all looks wonderful!

    best wishes for a wonderful 2011!

  4. The mushroom burger looks amazing! I'll have to try that one

  5. wow i cant wait for that ice cream to hit MY chocolate spot

  6. I love your meals… they always look and sound so good!

  7. bitt says:

    I need that brownie sundae!

  8. Elizabeth says:

    Lisa,
    The burgers look great!! Adding the ingredients to today's shopping list.
    By the way, last night we went over to my parent's house for dinner and I brought your raspberry tart…BIG hit. I really loved it as did my two teenagers. I saved the rest for out three younger children, they stayed home sick with nasty colds, and they will be having it today. I am going to blog about it this week. Thank you so much for the recipe!!
    Peace and Raw Health,
    Elizabeth

  9. HiHoRosie says:

    I'll take it all! Love it! Dessert looks especially decadent. 🙂

  10. kt says:

    Yummmm! I love your menu (can't wait to try the burgers) and also the adorable menu and good-bye 2010 cards. Your blog is so inspiring! 🙂

  11. kelli says:

    your mushroom burgers look divine!

  12. You spoil us, spoil us, spoil us SO wonderfully! Oh yes…here's my resolution…

    http://bit.ly/fAV5MA