Chickpea Salad

Vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free

By Angela Liddon

The mashed chickpeas create a texture very similar to flaked chicken and the sauce gets a boost from a creamy eggless mayonnaise (or cashew sauce). I’ve also added a hefty amount of crunchy vegetables to give it a great crunch and loads of fiber. Serve this salad in pieces of Boston or Bibb lettuce, in a wrap or sandwich, or on crackers. If you have a picnic or road trip in store you’ll be happy to know that it packs well. Recipe from The Oh She Glows Cookbook (2014). 
Yield 5 adult size SERVINGS

PREP TIME
15 MINUTES

COOK TIME
0 MINUTES

Ingredients:

• 1 (15-ounce/425-g) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickle
• 1/4 cup  finely chopped red bell pepper
• 3 tablespoons store-bought or homemade vegan mayonnaise (I used the Cashew "Cheese" Sauce -recipe below - in place of mayonnaise)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons yellow mustard
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh dill (optional)
• 1 1/2 to 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt, or to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mash the chickpeas with a potato masher until flaked in texture.
2. Stir in the celery, green onions, pickles, bell peppers, mayonnaise, and garlic until combined.
3. Stir in the mustard and dill and season with the lemon juice, salt, and pepper, adjusting the quantities to taste.
4. Serve with toasted bread, on crackers, wraps, or on top of a basic leafy green salad. 

Read more: http://ohsheglows.com/2015/07/21/chickpea-salad/#ixzz3mz1GZXed

Smoothies

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0711/1839/files/R_RAW_Green_Drink_Recipes.pdf?9401685436886795572

See Karen's smoothie drink recipes from the above link

Hot Pink Smoothie
1 peeled small red beet
1 peeled carrot
1 large leaf kale
1 1/2 cup coconut water
10 frozen strawberries
1/4 cup raw cashews
a little vanilla and a couple dates for sweetness.

Blend Well and Enjoy!
Tip:  For added protein and vitamins/minerals, I also add Hemp seeds, chia seeds,  ground flax seeds, and a little maca powder

Non Dairy "Cheese" sauce

"Cheese Sauce"
This sauce is awesome and very versatile. Use for Mac and Cheese alternative, or drizzled over steamed green beans/vegetables.  I've also used it in Tuna Sandwiches in place of mayonnaise.

1 cup raw cashews soaked at least 30 minutes/drained
1 cup filtered water
1/2 cup Nutritional Yeast unfortified
1 1/2 tsp salt
optional olive oil for consistency

Blend until smooth and Enjoy

Raw Brownie Bites

Raw Brownie Bites - from Karen Urbanek      Makes 2 dozen or so balls
2 cups raw walnuts
1 cup raw cacao powder (not cocoa powder) *
1 1/2 cups pitted dates cubed
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped raw almonds (not sliced)

Blend the walnuts until fine then add the salt, cacao powder and dates a few at a time.
When dates are well blended, pour into bowl and hand stir in the almonds, then shape into balls and refrigerate.
Note - I  missed noticing a pit still in a date, but boy did I notice when popping a ball into my mouth and discovering a not so pleasant hard piece..... repeated over and over!
 *1/2 a Giradelli's 100% Cacao bar also works when desperate and can't find raw cacao powder, but it adds more fat/grease so decrease the amount of walnuts

Going Raw!

Well a whole lot has happened since my last post Feb of 2014 --
Due to breast cancer diagnosis in November '14, I've learned to take control of my health especially by choosing to eat fresh produce. Fresh, uncooked veggies and nuts and daily smoothies full of wonderful vitamins and minerals and protein, and fat.  I owe my new found knowledge to reading Karen Urbanek's book, "Live with Outrageous Energy, Thrive without fear, illness or disease" and attending her classes.
So, to share with you my recipes and that even my picky kids are shifting along with me, I will begin posting Raw Food Recipes.
To start though I will direct you to Karen's website as that is where I found a treasure of recipes and articles on taking control of our health.
http://shop-karens-energy.myshopify.com/pages/learn   
Scroll down to find links to recipes

As you begin your journey of shifting away from packaged, preservatives, and processed foods feel free to share your favorites!