Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Raw Vegan Watermelon Candy, Maple Tahini Dressing, & Re-Growing Celery

Today's I'm kicking things off with what I did in my dehydrator yesterday!  This, of course, is part of the challenge Opal had set over the weekend where I'm trying to do at least one thing per day (or night) in my Excalibur!  I wanted to keep it simple again like I did with yesterday's post...but even more so!  What you see here is PLAIN Watermelon!  Nothing else added!  I dried at about 115-120 for about 14 hours or so.  I've tried this before and haven't dried them long enough!  I FINALLY was successful!  YAY!  A little patience is all I need!  These turned out great!  I like to call them "Candy".  The flavor is similar to a Watermelon Flavored Jolly Rancher
(It's been a LONG time since I have had one but it's the first thing I thought of when I munched on one of these little gems!)

Last night I ended up adding a large salad to my dinner!  I had some lettuce I NEEDED to use!  I also had some left over Chickpeas from the dish I made for lunch yesterday so I added some to the salad along with some Nutritional Yeast.  YES!  There is a dressing in there, too!  YES...I added a but more liquid that I wanted...so it was thinner than normal...BUT...the flavor was still LOVELY!  It's a mixture of 2 T Tahini, 4 T Lemon Juice, 2 T Maple Flavored Agave Syrup from Wholesome Sweeteners.

I told you that I was also doing some "Kitchen Gardening" in addition to what we were doing with the Indoor/Container Gardening in preparation for our Rooftop Garden.  Here's a look at the progress of the Celery I'm attempting to re-grow at home!

I change the water 2 to 3 times each day.  So far I have ripped off the outer layer of the old celery because it was getting discolored.  I may have to do this again.  However, I'm pleased with this first attempt of re-growing celery!

Another update...the Cashew Cream that I made last week was featured on the Garden of Life Blog!  I wrote up an additional Guest Blogger spot for them specifically based on the recipe and idea I posted last week.  There are more photos and additional ideas and alternatives to some of the ingredients!  Take a look when you have a chance!

SUBMIT Your Raw Food/Dehydrated Creations on this week's Dehydrator Challenge! 

18 comments:

  1. I really need to get a dehydrator... I love the watermelon idea!

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    1. Hi Barb! Thanks for the visit, the feedback, and the comment! I'm totally in LOVE with your blog!!! You SHOULD get a dehydrator! I think Opal (and I) are going to start a weekly meme for Dehydrator Ideas!

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  2. They look great. Last evening I made more banana chips (mainly for my daughter) and also more veggie chips. Hopefully I'll be able to snap a few pictures when I get home. I better, or my daughter will inhale the banana chips when I pick her up from school! ;)

    Yep, still doing the blog challenge. How about a free for all this week and an onion challenge next week. Am making onions this week, but wanted to add additional information about that. That's currently in draft mode.

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    1. Sure...so...next week...anything with Onions in the dehydrator!? Did you know much about a LINKY feature??? Not sure about set up on those but I have participated in them before! Sounds cool...I'm game!

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    2. Yep, I'm familiar with that. I'm thinking of including a prize for the onion one next week, one of my raw recipe books.

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    3. Oh WOW!!!! That would be cool :)

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  3. Oh? Can regrow celery? I wonder if that can be done with Chinese celery - we use for garnishing of soups. I have to buy from the market every time, can't seem to grow any of my one. Spring onions are fine, easy to grow - we also use those for garnishing, adds flavour to the food.

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    1. I'm not sure...maybe! It looks like most lettuces you could try, too! That and I've seen people try Sweet Potatoes, Pineapple, Carrots, etc

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  4. Very intesting on the watermelon candy, it looks great and I need to try that!

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    1. You should! And you should jump in with the weekly dehydrator challenge starting next week!!!

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  5. I've tried this before! And it's amazing! Janet of the taste space turned me onto it. She adds a bit of chili powder. Wowza!
    Would you like to share this at Raw Foods Thursdays? I'd love for you to link up!

    http://www.glutenfreecat.com/2014/03/raw-foods-thursdays-march-27-2014/

    Hope to see you there!
    Heather

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    1. Chili powder sounds awesome, too! Thanks for the suggestion! YES!!! I will be over at RFT very soon! Thanks for the reminder!

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  6. Hi Jennifer,
    Seeing your raw vegan watermelon candy is the inspiration I need to run out and buy a dehydrator immediately! Thank you so much for sharing these healthy and delicious delights at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop! I sincerely appreciate it!

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    1. I hope you do get one! Let me know if you do! Opal and I are doing weekly Dehydrator Challenges!!!!! You should join us!

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  7. Hi Jennifer,
    Thank you so much for sharing these healthy and delicious tips and treats at the Plant-Based Potluck Party Blog Hop! I am in love with the watermelon candy! And what a fabulous photo!

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    1. Thanks so much! And thanks for featuring the watermelon candy this week!!!

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  8. YUMMM Watermelon Candy! That sounds delicious =)
    You are inspiring me to use my dehydrator more... not every day, but at least once or twice a week. I have a recipe up (hopefully tomorrow) with a raw wrap =)
    I love that you are re-growing celery - how cool is that?
    And congrats on the feature on the Garden of Life blog!

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    1. You SHOULD jump in and CREATE with your dehydrator NOW!!!! Opal and I are starting a weekly challenge! I'll be over to your place later today to catch up :)

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