The following is a recipe from a very unique and groundbreaking book, Raw Food for Real People: Living Vegan Food Made Simple. With the amazing (and long overdue!) health food movement taking place now, I think a great number of people will use this book as sort of a “Vegan Eating” Primer.
The recipe below is from this guide/cookbook and is basically a mashed potato recipe without the potatoes. I remember an episode of The Biggest Loser in which Jillian suggested cooking and mashing cauliflower instead of potatoes. Apparently doing so is much healthier. Sounds pretty intriguing!
Mashed Taters
Yield: Serves 8
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups soaked cashews (soaked 2 hours, drained, and rinsed)
2 small heads cauliflower, chopped (about 3 cups)
2 medium cloves garlic
2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary
2 teaspoons sea salt
Put all of the ingredients in a food processor. Process until smooth, about the consistency of mashed potatoes.
Raw Food For Real People
Luscious, Eco-Friendly Food to Support Your Health and the Planet
Many have touted the health and energy benefits of raw foods, but few have presented recipes and instructions for making raw food appealing — and satisfying — to everyone. Chef Rod Rotondi demonstrates that going raw isn’t hard — in fact, it’s fun, easy, and more delicious than you’ve ever imagined. You will learn all the fundamentals of preparing your own raw foods at home, including setting up your raw kitchen, transitioning to raw foods, sprouting, dehydration, and raising your kids on raw foods. Best of all, he offers a wealth of recipes for smoothies, breakfast, appetizers, soups, salads, dressings, entrées, and decadent desserts. Rod demonstrates that the best — and utterly delectable — way to go green and get healthy is to eat fresh food in its natural state.
Includes contributions by the foremost authorities on raw-food nutrition:
* Brian Clement, MD
* Gabriel Cousens, MD
* Compton Rom Bada
* Robert O. Young, PhD
A Sample of the Reviews for Raw Food For Real People
— Spiritofchange.org“True beauty begins from the inside, and eating living foods is the best makeover for any age. Rod makes raw delicious and easy. Your inner and outer beauty depend on it!”
— Bobbi Brown, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics
“Rod’s expertise and passion for raw food are inspiring. He gives delicious options for making raw a powerful choice for your and your family’s health.”
— Mariel Hemingway, actress and author of Mariel’s Kitchen
“Man has evolved back to the original concept that food has energy and food can heal in its raw form. Rod Rotondi’s Raw Food for Real People has made it possible for everyone to eat this way. If you, too, want to become evolved, I suggest reading Rod’s book, as it will enlighten you as it has me.”
— John Salley, talk show host, actor, and retired professional basketball star
“Whether you are ready to go 100 percent raw or 80 percent or just want to begin to dabble in the raw-food experience, Rod is the perfect guide. His recipes are easy to follow, and he can lead you gently into a tasty and healthy culinary lifestyle. There is enough variety to satisfy every palate. Bon appétit — this book is a treat!”
— Laura Ziskin, motion picture producer and cofounder and executive producer of Stand Up To Cancer
About the Author, Rod Rotondi
I love the way the author is described on the back of the book, “”World traveler and culinary eclectic…” Sounds like an author worth reading, doesn’t it?!
Rod Rotondi gives his unique perspective on food and cooking – showing that you can make healthy vegan meals (even desserts) with pure, raw, un-assaulted food. He serves delicious raw and vegan food at his Los Angeles restaurant Leaf Organics. He also teaches courses and workshops and even has a dvd series. Rod Rotondi is a leader in the raw-food, vegan, and green movements. You can learn more at www. leaforganics.com
(I’ve never eaten in a Los Angeles restaurant, but it’s on my bucket list!)