Raw Vegan Blueberry Coconut Cheesecake

Many have asked if we could post the recipe for Raw Vegan Blueberry Coconut Cheesecake which Abby prepared at her last Intro to Raw Foods class in our stores. Of course, we are much obliged! I mean, come on, look at this:

So here it is, let us know how yours turned out!

Raw Vegan Blueberry Coconut Cheesecake by Abby Cahn Anton of Super Simple Super Foods ©2013
Serves 16 – 24.

Crust:
1 cup brazil nuts
2 cups walnuts (preferably soaked and dehydrated)
1/4 cup raisins
3 medjool dates
1/8 cup ground golden flax seed
1/8 cup coconut flour
1/4 tsp Sunfire salt
coconut oil

Filling:
4 cups blueberries (can substitute other fruit such as strawberries or cherries)
2 cups coconut cream
1/4 tsp. Sunfire salt
1/4 tsp. cardamom
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract (or 2 tbs. Sunfire Superfoods vanilla agave nectar)

Advance Preparation:
If using frozen blueberries, thaw in advance. Melt coconut cream by putting in dehydrator or placing jar in warm water.

In a food processor with the “s” blade, process brazil nuts until medium fine. Add flax, coconut flour and salt and pulse until mixed. Cut dates into small chunks and add along with raisins and pulse until broken up and evenly distributed. Add walnuts. Pulse and then process until it begins to form a ball. Be careful not to process too long or it will be more like nut butter, it should be a little grainy and sticky. Grease the bottom of an 8″ springform pan with coconut oil. Press crust onto bottom of pan. Place in freezer while making filling.

Blend blueberries, salt, cardamom and vanilla on high until smooth, set aside. Pour melted coconut cream into food processor. Turn food processor on. While processing coconut, slowly pour blueberry mixture from blender into food processor through the feeding tube. When thoroughly blended, remove springform pan from freezer and pour blueberry coconut mixture into cake pan. Chill in refrigerator for several hours until set.

Enjoy!

Read more about the raw foods lifestyle from Abby at supersimplesuperfoods.com

recipes: Raw Granola with Fresh Raw Nut Milk

We had quite a turnout again this week for Abby Cahn-Anton’s Intro to Raw Foods series where this time around, she created her RAW, vegan, gluten-free, low-glycemic version of granola with fresh nut milk. If you missed the class – stop doing that! If you really couldn’t make it, here are the recipes to hold you over.

Raw Granola and Fresh Nut Milks
Recipes courtesy of Abby Cahn Anton of SuperSimpleSuperFoods.com

Recipes: Black Bean Burgers and Vegan ‘Tato Salad

What a great turnout for the class Jessica Jarmer held last night! We hope you enjoyed it and we thank you for coming.

Full house

Anyway, we’ve been getting a lot of requests for the recipes taught at our cooking classes, so – here’s last night’s. SO YUMMY. And PS: She did bring with her a gluten-free version of the burgers where she subbed the bread crumbs out with a gluten-free version. Try it!

Black Bean Burgers and Vegan Potato Salad

Mango Mania

It’s Ataulfo mango season! Only twice a year are we privvy to this unique mango, otherwise called the Champagne Mango, known for its golden flesh and intense ripe sweetness, often described as “creamy” and “buttery.” There are little to no fibers in the fruit of the Ataulfo and the pit is the smallest of all the mangos, which means more fruit for us! Look for the most golden yellow fruit which is still firm, but a bit giving and if you’re in doubt, just ask  a Produce team member for a sample and they’ll gladly cut one open for you. (PS: This week they’re on sale, only $3 for FOUR, get ’em while you can.)

Golden ripe organic Ataulfo (Champagne) Mangos, just in

Besides being loved for its exotic, juicy sweetness, the mango is also known for its extraordinary health benefits, rating high in Vitamins C, A and B6, dietary fiber, potassium, beta carotene and antioxidants. What I find interesting is that mangos contain an enzyme similar to papain from papayas, which soothes the stomach and helps digest proteins in meat – which is why it is widely-used as a great marinade.

This classic mango-pineapple salsa can be used as a marinade or as the “exclamation point” of any grilled meat recipe. It’s also delicious with tofu or even over rice.

* 1 mango, peeled and diced

* 1cup fresh pineapple, diced

* 1 half jalapeno, seeded and chopped finely (more if desired)

* 1 half medium-sized red onion, diced

* 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice

* 1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves

* Salt and pepper

* OPTIONAL: you may also add red bell pepper and/or cucumber, if desired

Combine the mango, pineapple, jalapeno, red onion, lime juice and cilantro leaves and mix well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving so the flavors come out. Spoon over meats, un-meats or use as a marinade (discard used portion and use fresh for topping).

Avocadolicious

Yes, that’s right, ORGANIC AVOCADOS 5 FOR $5. We’re sorry to brag, but you can barely get conventional ‘cados at that price! Actually, we’re not going to be humble for a moment, our organic produce can go head-to-head price-wise with a lot of big box competitors, see for yourself on our website. ANYWAY…

Avocados, so good for you! What are some health benefits of avocados?  They provide over 20 essential nutrients and lots of them, including folate (beneficial for your heart) potassium (60% more than a banana!) and the “good fat.” What is the good fat? Well, it’s raw, plant-based fat, or monounsaturated fat, which besides being essential for body and brain function, also boosts the amount of nutrition absorbed of other fruits and veggies eaten with it. This good fat has also been proven to lower cholesterol, substantially. Plus, they’re delicious, it’s a win-win!

Now on to the good stuff: recipes. We did one for guacamole back around the Super Bowl, but here’s one which sounds even better: Ridiculously Good Guacamole in Five Minutes from Michael Natkin’s Herbivoracious blog. (Love this site!) But avocados are good for so many other recipes other than guac, here are a few you may enjoy:

Linguine with Avocado and Arugula Pesto? Oh Giada, you so crazy.

Avocado & Olive Quesedillas, now there’s an interesting idea! (Personally, I’d add a little tomato too)

A spiced-up classic: Spicy Grilled Bacon, Tomato & Avocado Sandwich (switch out the bacon with Fakin’ Bacon to make it veggie)

Maybe a simple Raw Kale & Avocado Salad recipe on the side.

Sweet Avocado Ice Pops. Why didn’t we think of that?

Sweet Avocado Ice Pops, so summery!
Photo credit: Ed Anderson © 2011

Speaking of freezing, you can freeze avocados for later use. We’ve read that halves or slices don’t really do so hot, but mashed works great. Here’s the gist:

– Core out and mash your avocados.

– For each avocado, add one tablespoon of fresh lemon or lime juice, mix in well.

– Put into airtight container, ziplock freezer bags seem to be best. Squeeze out all the air you can.

– Zip, date and freeze. When ready to use, defrost in the fridge for 24 hours and voila – Avocadoliciousness!

[EDITED TO ADD] Have an avocado recipe you’d like to share? Post it in the comments, we’d love to see it!

recipe from Abby

We’ve been getting requests for the recipes our guest chefs come up with and I keep forgetting to post them! Here’s a great detoxifying raw soup, Abby Cahn-Anton’s Creamy Sea of Green, packed with nutrients and a few dashes of  spice for a little kick.

Creamy Sea of Green Soup

by Abby Cahn Anton of SuperSimpleSuperFoods.com

1 avocado

4 cups baby spinach

1 – 2 Tbs raw apple cider vinegar

2 cups water

1 cucumber

¼ – ½ cup dulse

1 tsp fresh ginger

1½ tsp Sunfire salt

½ tsp black pepper

pinch cayenne

pinch mustard powder

1 tsp spirulina powder (opt.)

1 tsp blue green algae flakes or 4 tsp liquid (opt.)

Place all ingredients (except blue green algae) in blender in order listed. Begin blending at low speed for a few moments, then blend on high until desired consistency (1 – 2 minutes). Be careful not to over-blend as that will degrade delicate nutrients. Add optional blue green algae and blend on low for a couple of seconds. For maximum freshness, enjoy within a few hours. Yield 5 cups.

Bon appetit!

Super (Bowl!) Sunday: What’s on GIANT Sale

This Sunday get your pre-game on with us at Super Sunday! Curious to know what’s going to be on sale this Super Sunday, if it’s worth the trip? You decide – here are the winning products & prices.

Technicolor Radishes and Local Goodies

We’ve been getting in local organic produce from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and it’s just so beautiful, have to share some pics with you.

Organic (and seemingly technicolor) Radishes from Lancaster, PA.

This is really cool – Organic Red Russian Kale. The leaves are the most interesting shape and pattern, almost like oak leaves, bright green and tinged purple. Space Kale?

This is Tatsoi, or Japanese Spinach. It has a mild mustard taste and is a different and unique Thanksgiving alternative to traditional spinach. The leaves are so glossy, the photo just doesn’t do it justice.

Look for the New Product Spotlight logo for what's new at Dean's

These adorable little jugs are eggnog from Maplehofe Dairy Farm in Quarrysville, PA. The farm’s been around since the 1940s and now produces some of the most memorable and fresh dairy products around. No growth hormones or antibiotics used and they process the milk themselves. Eggnog this fresh and without chemical flavorings is really something else indeed.

Everything we’ve been getting from our local people is just so special, we’re really feeling proud of it. I hope you stop in and see for yourself because like I said earlier, photos just don’t do them justice!

Here’s a super-easy recipe using Red Russian Kale with dried cranberries – really gives a Thanksgiving-ey flavor. It’s gluten-free, vegan and full of vitamins and nutrients. Take a look-see.

Kale with Garlic and Cranberries

yield: Makes 8 servings

Garlicky kale, a robust winter green, gains an unexpected twist with dried cranberries’ saucy hits of tartness.

• 2 pounds kale (preferably Russian Red), stems and center ribs discarded and leaves coarsely torn
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (2 ounces)

Time to give thanks – and EAT :)

It’s official: Holiday Season 2011 is here. Get ready for the roller coaster that runs now through to New Year’s, right? Running around, shopping, decorating, planning menus, cooking…it’s all good – family, friends and of course, FOOD.

We can certainly help with the food part. This year, we’re doing something a bit crazy – our THANKSGIVING 99 CENT SALE.

We’ve don’t know about you, but we haven’t found prices on organics like these anywhere else. I did see a local big box advertising organic garnet & jewel yams at $1.89/lb and I’ve seen similar prices in conventional produce but these items, organic for 99 cents? (Hrmm, ideas for dishes to bring to Mom’s for Thanksgiving are flowing…)

We found this recipe for Squash, Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder on Veg Kitchen with Nava Atlas. It’s a great starter for Thanksgiving, it’s low in fat, high in nutrients, gluten-free and is 100% vegan too. The rice milk adds a bit of creaminess and the sweet potato and the little bit of puree add the thickness to make this a hearty favorite. (Note: You can really play around with flavors on this dish by subbing out spices, like adding in some bell peppers, tomatoes, chipotle, chili powder and cayenne for a more Southwestern taste.)

Squash, Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder

By Nava