RAW RECIPES
Here are a few of my personal favorite raw food recipes that I think you'll also enjoy! Have fun and don't be afraid to tweak things to YOUR liking!

Vanana-Banilla Ice Cream
by Cherie King
A creamy, rich and delicious dairy-free confection! You' WON'T miss the bad stuff with this!

3-5 frozen bananas (take really ripe bananas, peel and then freeze in freezer bags- the more solidly frozen they are, the better!)
dash or two of sea salt
1/2 - 1 tsp. vanilla
1/8-1/4 c. cashew creme (recipe immediately below this recipe)

Blend all ingredients in food processor. Blend until the consistency of soft serve ice cream. Serve or freeze immediately in a freezer-safe container and it should be scoopable but if not, just re-process in the food processor...the second processing will actually make it creamier!

Variations:
-Top with raw chocolate sauce (cacao, vanilla, agave and coconut oil), nuts and berries for a delicious, raw and living ice cream sundae (as pictured above)
-Add nuts of choice into the ice cream and pulse chop
-Add strawberries into the ice cream for strawberry ice cream or any other fruit of choice
-Add raw cacao powder or raw carob powder into the ice cream for a "chocolate" ice cream

Cashew Creme
Blend 1/2-1 c cashews with 1-2 c water (in other words, 1 part cashews to 2 parts water) until smooth. If you do not own a high-powered blender such as the Vitamix, soak the cashews for a couple of hours or so first, drain and then blend with water. After adding what is needed to your ice cream recipe, any left-overs can be frozen in an ice cube tray and then the frozen cubes of creme can be blended with the frozen bananas in the ice cream recipe or blended into shakes or even smoothies if you prefer creamier, milk-based smoothies.

===============
Almond-Cashew Milk
by Cherie King
This "milk" is smooth, creamy and delicious! Even my (very finicky) children love it!

1 c. raw almonds, soaked 8-10 hours or overnight
1/2 c. unroasted cashews, soaked 2-4 hours (this step can be omitted if using a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix or K-Tec model)
3-5 c. purified water (use 3 c. water or less for more of a "whole milk" or "cream" - use more for a thinner more "skim milk")
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. sea salt
1-2 tsp. of agave nectar or to taste (can substitute with dates but "milk" may come out a little darker) Blend all ingredients in blender until well blended. Strain through a nut milk bag. Save the pulp by freezing or dehydrating (then grinding to flour) for adding to cookie, grawnola or cracker recipes or use as an exfoliating facial/body scrub! Store the nut milk in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 -4 days. Drink alone, enjoy alongside desserts, pour into grawnola or use in recipes!

===============
Rawnch Dressing
by Cherie King
If you like ranch dressing, you'll love this creamy, raw version!

1 c. cashews (soaked at least 3 hours if not using a high-powered blender such as the Vitamix)
1 small avocado or half of a large one
½ lemon, juiced
¼ teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill (or dried if fresh not available)
¼ teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley (or dried if fresh not available)
1 ½ c. water
1 TBS. agave nectar (optional and you can add less - but at least a little hint of sweetness balances out the flavor IMHO.)
1 tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
¼ tsp. garlic powder or 1 clove of fresh garlic
1/4 tsp. onion powder or fresh onion

Blend all ingredients except fresh herbs in blender until smooth and creamy. Add more water if necessary, 1 TBS. at a time until desired consistency. Pulse chop herbs in food processor or chop by hand. Add to dressing and blend in short bursts until well mixed.

=================
StRAWberry-Lemonade
by Cherie King
This cold, refreshing drink doesn't last long at all in my home!

3-4 lemons, juiced
1-2 c. of frozen (or fresh) strawberries (use two cups for a richer flavor and appearance)
1/2-1 c. of Agave nectar (or to taste- start with half a cup and add more if needed)
6 c. water
Ice (optional)

Blend all in blender. If desired, add ice and blend until slushy or just cold! It will be frothy, you can leave it or skim it off. May start off light in color, but will become brighter as it sits!