Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Cake with Fudge Avocado Frosting Recipe

I baked my first cake in decades today. It's gluten-free and vegan, and I substituted the flour with black beans and sweet potato. Then, substituted the egg with 3 ripe bananas. This cake turned out surprisingly moist and delicious, very much the same as any baked cake! It's frosted with my raw food avocado chocolate frosting. Baked goods don't get any healthier than this! Start with the frosting recipe first so you don't have to wash out the food processor between recipes. Fudge Avocado Frosting (from Ani's Raw Food Desserts, page 49) 1/3 cup pitted Medjool Dates 1/4 cup agave, or your favorite syrup 1/2 cup ripe avocado flesh 1/3 cup cacao powder Place all ingredients into your food processor with the S blade, and process smooth. Scoop into a bowl or container, and set aside. (Skip washing the processor, just use it as is for the cake batter recipe next). Now, prepare to bake your cake by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Black Bean Chocolate Cake 1/2 apple, diced 1/3 cup sweet potato, cooked, peeled (I used Japanese purple sweet potato, they are in season right now) 3 small ripe bananas 2 cups cooked and drained black beans, or one 15oz can, rinsed 1/2 cup cocoa powder, or cacao powder 1/4 cup coconut sugar, or your favorite sweetener, to taste 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract 3 Tablespoons peanut butter (substitute almond butter if you prefer) Start by placing the apple into your food processor with the S blade, process into a puree. Then add the remaining ingredients, and process into a smooth batter. Scoop batter into a loaf pan (this is not enough batter for a bigger pan, though I made [...]

By |January 28th, 2016|Ani’s Raw Food Desserts, Desserts, Gluten Free, Protein, RECIPES, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Cake with Fudge Avocado Frosting Recipe

Lentils – A Healthy, Yummy, Low Cost Protein

With the temperature dropping outside, I found myself suddenly craving heavy carbs. Hearty lentils to the rescue! Lentils are the easiest of legumes to prepare, and a slow burning complex carb full of soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract trapping and eliminating cholesterol out of the body. And, high fiber foods like lentils have been shown to help prevent heart disease while stabilizing blood sugar. Lentils also increase your energy by boosting your iron levels. Lentils are an excellent low cost protein source. When stored properly, dried lentils have an extremely long shelf life. They don’t need to be presoaked like other beans, and the red, yellow, and brown varieties cook in about 20 minutes. Green lentils take about 40 minutes. It’s super simple to cook lentils: Rinse lentils a couple times in a bowl with water. Carefully pour out water, or drain through a sieve. Place 1 cup lentil to 1 ½ cups water into a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to low. Top with a lid and leave simmering for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, check lentils to see if they are tender enough for you. If not, simmer another 5 minutes, to desired texture. Serve lentils warm, or set aside to cool before storing in your refrigerator. Use lentils to top salads, add to soups, serve with sauces, or blend into a hummus-like dip. Will keep for about 3 to 4 days when stored in sealed container in fridge. You can also freeze cooked lentils.

By |December 21st, 2015|Protein, RECIPES, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Lentils – A Healthy, Yummy, Low Cost Protein

On An Organic Ranch

This summer has been full of the most amazing adventures stretching from the desserts of southern Utah all the way to Yosemite, CA. But, the highlight by far was visiting my friend Natashia's ranch and vineyard in Northern California. There's a gigantic organic garden here with a row of peach trees, apple trees, raised beds of strawberries, tomatoes of all sorts, many varieties of kales, and even potatoes. Heriloom, cherry, and roma tomatoes taste incredibly delicious picked straight off the vine. This was my harvest today. Diced the potato and sautéed it up with kale, quartered tomato, garlic, onion, and rosemary. Served it topped with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes. Blended up a strawberry smoothie, and ate the peaches on their own. Yummy! On the way to gathering ingredients at the farm, I stopped off to visit the horses, chickens, turkeys, cows, and goats. The goats were surprisingly social and interactive. Plus, I recently learned goats are the best rock climbers! This little guy is so adorable! I want to take him home with me to LA. Fresh air, sunshine, rolling hills, beautiful animal friends, and organic fruits and vegetables. This must be heaven on Earth!

By |August 24th, 2015|Farmers' Market, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, NEWS & EVENTS PAGE, RECIPES, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on On An Organic Ranch

Ani’s Raw Food Certification Level 1

My students made me this beautiful stack with marinated mushrooms and onion, sliced tomato, oregano and rosemary marinara, cashew cheeze, and fresh Italian herbs today at my Ani's Raw Food Certification Level 1. I love showing everyone that elegant food need not use many ingredients nor be complicated to make. Each recipe uses a couple ingredients, seriously! And, is really quick to create. The sophistication comes in the plating, presentation, and use of easy to make sauces. One of our students this weekend is a Le Cordon Bleu trained professional chef who's mind was blown by Raw Food's functionality, and fresh flavors! She said "I've been making my food way too complicated!". We all laughed. Get in my belly!!! Yumminess! Our final Level 1 for 2015 is September 19+20th. I'd love to spend the weekend eating the most delicious, nutritious, and inspiring food with you. xoxo https://www.aniphyo.com/certification/

By |August 15th, 2015|Ani's Raw Food Essentials, Beauty, Dressings & Salads, Farmers' Market, Fitness, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, Main Dishes, RECIPES, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Ani’s Raw Food Certification Level 1

Avocado Smoothies

My travel to Bali inspired me to use avocados in my desserts. In SE Asia, avocados are used to make creamy avocado smoothies. There they make smoothies by blending milk, sugar, and avocado. Here I make a raw vegan almond nut mylk to use as the base, then add in avocados for the flavor. It's sweetened with dates, a whole food, containing fiber, minerals and vitamins. The ingredients I use are listed below. Adjust quantities to you liking. I also have variations of these recipes in Ani's Raw Food Detox. I'll be teaching this recipe in class this weekend too. Join me at an upcoming Ani's Raw Food Certification Course to learn recipes like this and many many more! Smoothie almonds dates avocado water Chocolate Sauce cacao powder agave syrup, maple syrup, date syrup, or coconut nectar Toppings chocolate sauce goji cacao hemp Guilt-free, and absolutely delicious, good-for-you food! Enjoy. Will keep for at least a day in your fridge.

By |August 14th, 2015|Beauty, Desserts, Drinks, Gluten Free, Health, LIFESTYLE, RECIPES, Snacks & Side Dishes, Soups, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Avocado Smoothies

Superfood Granola Recipe

I've been mixing up a yummy granola with walnuts, almonds, cacao nibs, vanilla bean, coconut, sprouted buckwheat groats, and goji berries. This morning I used it to top raspberries and blueberries with almond mylk for an antioxidant superfood blast. It tasted delicious. What other ingredient should I include in my mix?

By |July 22nd, 2015|Gluten Free, Health, LIFESTYLE, RECIPES, Snacks & Side Dishes, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Superfood Granola Recipe

2015 Raw Food Courses in Los Angeles, CA

  I'm excited to announce my upcoming Raw Food courses for 2015  in West Los Angeles, California: LEVEL 1 June 13+14, 2015 (early bird special before May 3rd) July 11+12, 2015 August 15+16, 2015 September 19+20, 2015 LEVEL 2 October 16, 17, 18, 2015 LEVEL 3 October 18, 19, 20, 2015 All classes are taught by me, and are hands-on. So, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to learn how to make the tastiest, healthiest, raw, vegan food ever. All recipes are gluten-free and packed full of superfoods! Spaces will fill up quickly! Please book your spot today: https://www.aniphyo.com/certification/ I'm looking forward to seeing you this year in Los Angeles. It's the best culinary tourist city on the Planet with loads of raw restaurants, cafes, businesses, prepared packaged foods, events, products, and more. Come explore, play, and be inspired! xoxo  

Superfood Brownie Recipe

Superfood brownies are the perfect workout food fuel for my climb today. They can stay out of the fridge, and travel well. These brownies are my homemade energy / protein / superfood bar. The following recipe is from Ani's Raw Food Detox. 1 c walnuts 1/4 c cacao powder 1/3 c pitted dates pinch salt Process walnuts, cacao, salt. Then, add dates to bind together. I will sometimes roll the batter into balls, but this time I pressed it into a lined pan and sliced 'bars'. I topped with cacao nibs (for extra energy) and goji berries (for added vitamin C and antioxidants) too. Bon appetit!  

By |May 21st, 2015|Desserts, Fitness, Gluten Free, Health, LIFESTYLE, RECIPES, Snacks & Side Dishes, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Superfood Brownie Recipe

Mushroom “Bul Go Gi” Recipe

    Please join me for lunch today! This Korean inspired recipe is from Ani's Raw Food Asia. It's my vegan, gluten-free, and raw version of Korean BBQ, made with marinated shiitake, crimini, and wood mushrooms. I call it Mushroom "Bul Go Gi" (page 186). Use your favorite green leaf, like romaine or red leaf lettuce as the wrap. Then, top with cucumber, carrot, thinly sliced garlic, and my delicious Gochujang Sauce (page 225) made with unpasteurized miso (for living enzymes), sesame oil, and chili powder, to taste. Add a sweetener syrup like agave or coconut nectar too to balance out the spice, salt, savory, and sweet. Super yummy on a rainy day here in LA (thank goodness, we need the rain!). Mushoom "Bul Go Gi" Lettuce Wraps BulGoGi 4 cups sliced mushrooms 2 T tamari 1 T toasted sesame oil 1/2 T minced garlic 1/2 cup Asian pear, microplanes or pureed in food processor Fillings 1 clove thinly sliced mushroom 1 Korean or jalaeno pepper, sliced 1 cup julienned cucumber 1 cup julienned carrot Wrappers 8 red lettuce leaves, or more Toss together all BulGoGi ingredients in one bowl. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes, until softened. Prepare fillings, and set aside. Squeeze excess marinade from mushrooms, and place into each lettuce leaf. Top with fillings. Drizzle with Gochujang Sauce, below. Serve and enjoy! Gochujang Sauce 2 1/2 T unpasturied miso, any color 2 T toasted sesame oil 1/4 cup agave syrup or coconut nectar 1/2 teas chile powder, or cayenne, to taste Whisk to mix well. One last tip: I just moved my car out of my garage and onto the street so it will be 'washed' clean by the rain! Conserving water during our [...]

By |May 14th, 2015|Beauty, Farmers' Market, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, Main Dishes, RECIPES, Snacks & Side Dishes, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Mushroom “Bul Go Gi” Recipe

Thai Green Mango Salad

The freshest tropical salad recipe at Phulay Bay in Krabi, Thailand made with romaine lettuce, shredded green mango, toasted coconut, roasted cashews, and sliced red onion. I left out the pomelo, but that would be yummy to include too. Superfood, vegan, gluten free, and organic salad made with all local and seasonal ingredients that are great for detox and boosting overall wellness. Enjoy with a Thai baby coconut....Delicious!

By |April 2nd, 2015|Beauty, Dressings & Salads, Green Living, Health, RECIPES, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Thai Green Mango Salad