Erica Palmcrantz Aziz - Raw Desserts: Mouthwatering Recipes for Cookies, Cakes, Pastries, Pies, and More

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ISBN: 978-1-61608-347-2 Printed in China

Since our first book, Raw Food, Irmela and I have given raw food-curious enthusiasts tips for exploring raw desserts and treats. Thats how Raw Desserts was created. Its an entire book filled with recipes for cookies, pastries, snacks, ice cream, mouthwatering drinks, and many other treats. The recipes in Raw Desserts will introduce you to delicious taste experiences, which will also nourish your body and awaken your vitality. Many years ago, before I knew about the concept of raw food, my body felt out of balance.

I went to a homeopathic doctor, and he advised me to stay away from sugar, flour, eggs, and dairy. I knew there were good intentions behind what he said, but it was as if his words meant the end of lifes pleasures for me. He told me that he ate papaya and passion fruit as candy, something I couldnt relate to at all. After my visit, I felt as if sweets, cookies, and pastries were forbidden territory for me. As a result, I over- indulged every time I allowed myself to eat anything sweet. Now that Ive experienced raw desserts and treats, I know I dont have to choose between good and healthyI can have both at the same time! And I want to share that experience with you.

Today my lifestyle is high raw vegan, which means I eat primarily raw foods. I love all the good things life has to offerand the fact that I can enjoy them. Sweets and desserts made the raw way are in my familys daily diet: cookies served with a glass of almond milk, rich chocolate mousse cakes, and refreshing ice cream! When we make our raw goodies, we choose organic produce whenever we can; the taste is richer, has more nutrients, and is so much better for the environment. Whatever is left over after the food preparation can be used for composting, which will become fertile soil. In this book, you also get to know Lillemor and Lisbeth, Annika and her family, and Jonas. We hope the interviews will inspire you to try different ways to prepare and make raw treats and desserts.

At the end of Raw Desserts, there is a picture of wild mint, which symbolizes our need for a balanced diet, using a lot of fresh vegetables and greens. The sweet and the good is what can make your day extra special. Go rawyour way! Erica

ERICA PALMCRANTZ AZIZ inspires people to change their life habits through lectures, courses, and events about raw foods. She lives in Gothenburg, Sweden, with her husband, Sam Aziz, and daughter, Saga. Erica discovered the benefits of raw foods while visiting her cousin, Jinjee Talifero, who lives with her husband and five kids in California. They eat only raw, organic, and local produce.

And raw food has been a natural choice for Erica for the past five years. About raw treats: It feels luxurious to start the day with a berry pie and cashew cream. These are pretty much the same ingredients we would normally have for breakfastberries, nuts, and fruitsbut recreated in a new and delightful way! Favorites: Some of my favorite everyday moments are when Im enjoying a White Chocolate Truffle melting on my tongue, or indulging in Apple Cream and Vanilla Sauce on a sunny fall day, or when I need extra energy, a Hempseed Smoothie is perfectly silky and smooth. IRMELA LILJA is a health and personal development journalist, and lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with her daughter, Ebele. Irmela eats mostly vegetarian food that she varies with raw food. About raw treats: A caf visit usually begins and ends with a cup of tea for me.

Those who see me probably think Im so healthy and diet conscious. Thats not even half true. Ive always had a big sweet tooth, but I simply dont feel good after I eat regular cookies, cakes, and desserts. Nowadays I try to eat with this useful insight in mind: it should taste good in my mouth as well as feel good for my entire body. Otherwise, my enjoyment is short-lived.

Treats and desserts are our mutual terms for all goodies in this book. Though all recipes specify number of portions, the numbers are approximate, depending on whether you plan to eat the treats as a snack or a dessert, what types of foods you ate before, and if you are serving to adults or children. Fresh fruits and berries need to be rinsed before you begin preparing the treats and desserts. Fresh fruits and berries need to be rinsed before you begin preparing the treats and desserts.

How thorough you should be depends on if you bought imported fruit, or if you plucked berries from your own garden. Some people also prefer to rinse dried fruits and nuts thoroughly. Dates appear in many of the recipes because they are excellent sweeteners. If using fresh dates, take out the seeds before incorporating the fruit into the recipe. For best results, dried dates should soak for at least three hours prior to using. Medjool dates are called the kings of dates because of their size, taste, and juiciness.

If you use these big dates, you can halve the amount the recipe calls for. Cashews add a delicious and smooth flavor to a dessert. They are an excellent replacement for cream or butter in regular treats and desserts, and therefore frequently appear in these recipes. Cashews have often been steamed to make them easier to peel. If you want raw cashews that have been opened by hand, you can buy them at health food stores, or order them online. When I dont have raw cashews at home, I go for the next best choice: organic and natural.

You can exchange your cashews for other nuts or seeds; experiment and see what suits your taste buds.