Raw veganism has been increasing in popularity for years. There are many reasons for this trend, but the most common is that people want to eat healthier and take care of their bodies. The problem with traditional cooking techniques is that they tend to cook out a lot of the goodness from food and leave it less nutritious than when raw. Raw veganism solves all these problems by keeping all the nutrients intact while still providing you with a delicious meal. This article will teach you how to make some simple raw vegan dishes so you can start including them in your diet today!
Raw Pad Thai
This is a traditional favorite of raw foodies everywhere. Its delicious flavor is very similar to the dish you’ll find at Thai restaurants but without any meat or dairy products or cooking any ingredients!
Ingredients:
- 2 Zucchinis
- 1 Red Pepper
- 1 Green Bell Pepper
- 4 Tomatoes
- Juice from 1 Lime
- 2 Cloves of Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Raw Tahini (or Peanut Butter)
- 4 Sprigs Cilantro
- 1/4 tsp Chili Powder or Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Directions:
Chop the zucchinis, red pepper, green bell pepper, and tomatoes into thin strips. Mix the vegetables in a large bowl. Mash the garlic into a paste with your knife, then add to the bowl along with tahini or peanut butter and lime juice. Add the cilantro and chili powder (optional). Toss well to mix ingredients thoroughly and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Raw Vegan Burrito
Another popular dish is the raw burrito. The traditional burrito shell is romaine lettuce as a wrapper, while the inside contains delicious and nutritious veggies!
Ingredients:
- 1 Head of Romaine Lettuce
- 1/8 Cup Raw Tahini (or Peanut Butter)
- 6 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast Cheese (powder or flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Jalapeño
- 1/2 Zucchini
- 1 Tomato
- 1/4 Onion
Directions:
- Chop the zucchini, tomato, jalapeño, and onion into thin strips. Place them in a large bowl or serving dish. Add nutritional yeast cheese powder and mix well. Let this chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Then prepare your full romaine lettuce leaves as if you were making a sandwich. You’ll want to make sure they’re nice and firm, so they don’t break apart when you try to eat them. Then fill the lettuce leaves with the mixture and enjoy!
Vegan Caprese Salad
This is a lovely and effortless dish to make. It’s light, tasty, and super healthy. It is perfect for warm summer days when you don’t want to work too hard in the kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 3 Tomatoes
- 1/4 Cup Basil Leaves
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil (or 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar)
- 2 Cloves of Garlic
- Pinch of Salt & Pepper
Directions:
Chop the tomatoes into small cubes. Add them to a serving dish along with basil leaves. Mash garlic cloves using your knife, then add them to the veggie mixture. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper and stir well to mix ingredients thoroughly. Serve chilled for the best taste!
Raw Vegan Bananas Foster
This delicious dessert is a great way to top off any meal, or you can serve it as a treat on its own! This version is lower in sugar and fat than traditional bananas foster.
Ingredients:
- 4 Bananas
- 1 Tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp Nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 Cup Almond Milk (or Other Plant Milk)
Directions:
Slice the bananas diagonally, then arrange them on a serving dish. Add vanilla extract to the almond milk and stir well. Pour over bananas, then drizzle maple syrup evenly across the top. Sprinkle the nutmeg and cinnamon on everything, then serve immediately for the best taste!
