Sunday, August 23, 2009

Recent Good Eats

Today was the 63rd time this year our temperature reached 100 degrees or more, and it was actually a record breaker at 105. 69 days is the alltime record and we should easily match or beat that by the end of the week as there is no relief in sight. Needless to say, I’m still doing more assembling rather than cooking of food.

Last week there was a food bloggers meetup and we got a free burger at Elevation Burger. Their vegan burger is decent.






They are a green company using organic and sustainable products and environmentally friendly equipment. More businesses should follow their approach.


Okay, everything else here is raw. I love yellow zucchini and there has been plenty at the farmers market lately. Here I’ve spiralized a couple of them, added in some carrots, and topped it with guacamole. Yum.


Here is raw broccoli marinated in lemon juice and garlic, and topped with a cheesy sauce made from my new ebook from Kristen. The sauce was super easy and very tasty.



When I get really into raw foods, maybe someday I can make food as beautiful and exquisite as the food my mom and I ate at Austin's new raw foods cafĂ©, Beets. We ate there last night and I cannot wait to go back. I’m also pleased to say that every seat in their beautiful space was taken, which is pretty awesome for a place that opened a week ago. Every single menu item was so tantalizing, I literally agonized over my selections. The excellent waitress offered to serve us each half portions of our orders so we could share our food without stabbing at it across the table or switching plates. Here’s what we were presented.



Starting from the bottom going clockwise, Caesar salad with eggplant bacon, pizza, cabbage slaw, and an open face burger with lettuce, sprouts, tomatoes, and special sauce. We also had flax chips and guacamole for an appetizer, and my mom had some tangy goji berry lemonade.


It was so good! Dessert? Why, yes, thank you!


We shared Maple Pecan Ice Cream (almost forgot to get a picture!), and I had my own little chocolate truffle in chocolate sauce. The chocolate sauce was divine, and the waitress told me it was just created that day. Lucky me.


Today I made okra pickles (an Alton Brown recipe) and cooked some fresh field peas.




I also made a raw pie inspired by Shellyfish’s Coconut Cream Pie. I made her pie crust using raw pumpkin seeds instead of walnuts because I’m saving the walnuts for another recipe. It’s really delicious.


I really really wanted to make coconut pie, but I only had ¼ cup coconut in my pantry. I know it’s not a proper substitute, but I used 3 peaches instead. I put it in the freezer to be sure it set up.


So fresh and delicious.


You still have a little time to enter my Flavor Tripping Giveaway. Comments will close tonight and I will post the winner in the next day or two.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

25 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Can't go wrong with Kristen's recipes; oh my and that Maple Pecan ice cream and Coconut Pie?!??!?! Deeeelicious :)

Morgan said...

Oh my goodness! I would hire you to cook raw for me!! That pie looks divine.

Sheree' said...

I can't wait to get a spiralizer (spelling?)It is just one of many kitchen gadgets on my dream list. :O) I am off to ck out that cheese from my free book! Yeepee! Sorry about the heat, my parents are saying the same thing, no end in site. Hugs!

Jes said...

Oh my goodness, 63 days above 100?! That's inhumane! The raw broccoli looks like the perfect save though. I have a hard time getting myself to eat raw food, but I think I could definitely go for a big bowl of that!

Carrie said...

Oh wow everything looks great!!

Alisa - Frugal Foodie said...

So much raw goodness .. and that coconut cream pie! Yum!

The Voracious Vegan said...

Raw deliciousness for sure! I lOVE that pie, it looks so gorgeous.

Lisa said...

It sounds like Austin's restaurant scene is getting better and better!

Charlotte said...

I just went to an Elevation Burger (in Maryland) on Saturday! I agree that the vegan burger was decent... but it was also pretty cheap and nice to be able to enjoy a burger with everyone else. I think it's a great concept!

Gina said...

Oh man, that raw food looks so amazing! And for some reason, simple as it may be, your yellow zucchini with guacamole sounds absolutely amazing right now. Yum. Sounds like I have a plan for lunch :)

Bianca said...

I love pickled okra!!! I've never tried making it myself, but I should check out Alton Brown's recipe. All the raw eats look amazing, and I'm especially intrigued by the zucchini pasta with guac instead of raw marinara. I'm gonna have to try that!

Oraphan said...

All your raw eats look so delicious, and the pie looks so amazing. Such a great menu for this kind of weather we have right now, thanks for the fantastic ideas!

miss v said...

awesome foods... i love the rawness... and those pickled okra are just jumpin' off the page at me. crunch crunch!

jessy said...

100 degrees!?! eek! that's what i call stupid hot! ahahahahhaaa! there's just no reason for it to be that darn warm out - wowzers! your raw foods are look'n great, Diann! i need to get a spiralizer soon!.the beets eatz look great - and maple pecan ice cream is the flavor i puffy heart the most! mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. that's good to know that pumpkin seeds are a yummy substitute for walnuts on that crust - your peach pie looks so tasty! yay!

Ricki said...

I do hope you have air conditioning! I don't think I could tolerate 100+ degrees any other way. Now, the FOOD you've been eating looks truly amazing and delicious! Love the look of that pie, and your restaurant meal!

Amy said...

I hope it cools down for you soon! I hate it when it's just too hot to move let alone cook or eat anything!! What you've been having though looks fabulously fresh and delicious!

I want a chocolate ball in chocolate sauce and some of your peach pie. Yum!

Liz Ranger (Bubble Tea for Dinner) said...

oh, that was smart to use peaches, I bet the pie tasted amazing!

Hannah said...

Mmm, a frozen peach pie sounds delicious, and perfect for the season!

Hope the heat relents soon- Hang in there!

Unknown said...

i always want raw when it's over 100 too... but... 63 days is crazy!! we've only had like 6 or so break 100.

Anonymous said...

All that raw goodness! And pumpkin seeds! What a great idea - I was trying to think of another seed/nut alternative for that sort of thing.

Erin said...

Your plate from Beets looks so good! No wonder the place was packed, I'd be eating there too. And okra pickles? Why haven't I ever made okra pickles? I'm getting okra in my CSA tomorrow, hmm...

Debra said...

It all looks great! thanks for sharing.

R3 Method Show said...

THat Goji berry lemonade sounds refreshing and full of antioxidants.

Penny said...

A new raw restaurant in Austin? I'm leaning towards moving for sure!

Gena said...

Hey, some awesome raw eats here!!