It's about time for another ice cream

No, it's no longer February but I needed to get this challenge behind me and look to the new challenge this month. For February the word came come down from our hosts:

The February 2009 challenge is hosted by Wendy of WMPE's blog and Dharm of Dad ~ Baker & Chef.
We have chosen a Chocolate Valentino cake by Chef Wan; a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Dharm and a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Wendy as the challenge.

I decided to go raw for this challenge. Well mostly raw. These recipes aren't vegan to start with so modifications would have been necessary anyway. Is this raw version just like the original? No. Maybe I could, with lots of work and the Vitamix I might work out the right consistency. Maybe in a couple months time when I might possibly find myself with free time on my hands this is something I might work on . . . . who knows what the (my) future holds.

I apologize for the slightly blurry picture. My dessert pictures always seem to come out this way. I just can't hold still. I get too excited!

Raw Flourless Chocolate Cake (take 1)

1/4 c raw cocoa nibs
1/4 c cashews
1/2 c walnuts
5 pitted dates
1 vanilla beans or 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Add cocoa nibs to food processor and process until well broken up. Add nuts (you can replace these with any nuts you prefer really, they all go well with chocolate) and process again until nuts are finely ground. Add dates and vanilla. Process this until mixture comes together in a pasty dough. Press this mixture into a small tart pan or shape with your hands however you'd like. Enjoy!

I decided to pair this with an ice cream that I've been meaning to make for a while. A simple creation to carry over the cocoa nib deliciousness. I would like to try some raw ice creams at some point. When young coconuts aren't ridiculously expensive maybe.

Stracciatella Coconut Ice Cream

1 can coconut milk
2-4 Tb agave nectar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c raw cocoa nibs

Stir together coconut milk, agave to taste and vanilla. Place in ice cream maker and follow manufacturers instructions to freeze ice cream. 5 mins before freezing cycle is complete add cocoa nibs. Place completed ice cream in freezer to firm up more until ready to serve. You may need to set out homemade ice cream a little ahead of when you need it as it tends to harden more then comercially made ice creams.

The Un-cooked

I've been eating a higher percentage of raw food in my diet since our Greek vacation. Fruit for breakfast, salad for lunch. Not everyday because I'm lazy and shiz. I've long been interested in raw food recipes. Recipes beyond you're smoothies and salads. Actually I think I began flipping through raw food books before I became vegan. It was all very fascinating but it sounded too hard. It still seems a little challenging to me. Probably because it's not familiar yet and my husband is not into going raw so I have to sneak bits in here and there. Mostly it's been tasty, not that I've made a lot.

Let's start with what I'm not really into so far. Savory cream soups. I've tried a couple and although I like the ingredients separately together the flavor is almost too rich. It might be something I'll like later but next I think I'll try a more veggie broth type soup and see if I like that.
This one did come out pretty though.

Ani Phyo's Garlic Walnut Soup

Ok, I know I said more than salads but I love salads so I made one.

Wilted Spinach Salad with Marinated Onions in Mustard Seed Dressing

I loved this. Ate a big ol' bowl full myself. Oh this is another Ani recipe. If you have the book then make it.

So I've mostly focused on deserts. Who doesn't like desserts. Raw deserts are soooo nice.
I had some figs so I made Fresh Mission Fid and Pear Tart. This has a cookie kinda crust. I had a hard time not eating all of this before I pressed it into the pan. It's a little ugly due to laziness. I wanted dessert fast and didn't want to press it nicely.
I made this one a while ago. The Real Cheezecake. This is so rich but oh so good.

Like I said, I'm new to this but I'm going to keep going for it. I have a few raw books now but for this post I'm going to recommend Ani's Raw Food Kitchen. It's full of tasty looking recipes and great information.