Doesn't this look good? No. It doesn't. Yet, these two pots line up my next biggest challenge in the kitchen :: raw food. I know! I can hardly believe it myself. Not only did I give up pork for Lent (which is still as difficult as it was on the very first day) but now I am attempting something that I never ever thought I would try - uncooked food.
I did not research why doing this is important. I have no special guesses about whether or not this will be something Annabelle will enjoy. I don't actually know any health benefits of eating raw, though the health benefits seem to be the only reason for doing it from what I can tell.
The only thing that compels me to try this is that last Sunday I went to a potluck and tasted some of the best cheese I've ever had. And then I learned it wasn't cheese. In fact, it was mostly fermented cashews mixed up with a few other things, primarily something called rejuvelac.
So, as you can see, the first pot holds three cups of soaking cashews and the second pot holds two cups of quinoa which I am attempting to sprout for the purpose of making the rejuvelac. The whole process is going to take several days, including blending the cashews with some probiotics, straining the blended nuts in cheesecloth on the counter while it ferments, and then mixing in the herbs of my choice. And, voila, soon I will have a tasty, dairy free, raw Chevre.
Actually, it's a lot of work but I kind of like the challenge. And I hear that it freezes well.
I peeked into the pots several times today and noticed nothing had changed. And they have no smell either. And I am beginning to realize some of my favorite things about cooking - the house smells so good! The food looks so yummy! It sizzles and makes you want to eat. Raw food doesn't do any of that so far.
These are Chia seeds. The same exact seeds that sprout to make the famous Chia Pet from the 1980s, which I still occasionally see for sale in craft stores. These seeds were the primary ingredient of the most delicious and fruity pudding that was sitting in a big bowl right next to that delicious cheese I mentioned above. I had three helpings. (The bowl of pudding was very big and there was lots of encouragement.) It had the consistency of tapioca, but with a lighter feel overall. Lots of fresh blueberries and strawberries. It was really, really yummy.In contrast to the cashew cheese, the pudding only takes about 20 minutes to make. Apparently Chia seeds easily become slippery, sticky and enlarged like tapioca.
They are fun to look at, aren't they? Kind of like looking at coarse beach sand. You can buy Chia Seed where you buy Flax Seed, I found it in the bulk section at Whole Foods. The huge bowl at the party required only 4 Tablespoons, so a little goes a long way.
This afternoon I wondered what else I could make that would be raw and tasty? Then I remembered the ice cream maker Dave bought for me at a garage sale last month. Ice cream is raw, isn't it? But then I wondered : Is sugar raw? Probably not. I cleaned it up and put the canister in the freezer to get ready for a free afternoon this week, and to buy a little more time for wondering about raw ice cream.
If I succeed at these recipes I promise to take pictures and post again. And if you want the recipes before I finish this culinary adventure, let me know!
