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

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  

Thailand’s Herb Gardens

Loving the herb garden here at the Ritz Carlton's Reserve at Phulay Bay in beautiful Thailand at Krabi. They grow their own herbs, in addition to super spicy red Thai chilies. We've been using these super fresh herbs in my Raw Food Lifestyle Classes this week. It's paradise here with tons of tropical fresh fruits like tamarind, papaya, jackfruit, and longan. And delicious Thai baby coconuts and cashews too. I think this must be Heaven!  

Ritz-Carlton’s Reserve at Krabi, Thailand

I'm made it safely to Krabi, Thailand where I'm relaxing at the villa now that prep for our 5-day Raw Food Lifestyle Retreat is finished for today. Super excited to be teaching Raw Food Lifestyle classes Wednesday thru Sunday here at the Ritz-Carlton's Phulay Bay resort. I've crafted exclusive Thai-inspired Raw Food, vegan, superfood, gluten-free recipes using local Thai ingredients. Plus, we'll be talking about treading lightly on the Planet, natural beauty, fitness, healthy detox, nutrition, and ways to lower stress while increasing vitality and longevity. If you're in Krabi, please join me here Wednesday thru Sunday!  We're going have tons of FUN!!!!  

March 2015 at the Ritz-Carlton Reserve

The beautiful Ritz-Carlton Reserve at Phulay Bay has invited me to develop an exclusive 5-day wellness program for their Thailand resort to launch in March 2015. This exclusive retreat will include vegan raw food cooking classes and recipes featuring local ingredients and flavors with a focus on the Home Chef, along with my eco-green living, healthy lifestyle, fitness, natural beauty, and detox philosophy. I will personally be at Phulay Bay teaching classes from March 18th to 22nd, 2015. These classes are complimentary to resort guests. And, guests completing all 5-days will receive a Certificate of Completion equivalent to my Level 1 Home Chef Raw Food Certification Course. So, please book your stay now at the Ritz-Carlton Reserve website, and join me at Phulay Bay! I look forward to seeing you in paradise.  

Vegan Gluten-Free Ravioli

What's your favorite #RawFood pasta recipe? We made this delicious Ravioli in Ani's Raw Food Certification Course Level 1 this weekend in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA with summer squash pasta, cashew herb cheese, cherry tomato ravioli, and fresh Italian herbs. All ingredients from the Saturday morning Farmers' Market up the street....local, seasonal, fresh,nutritious, and super delicious. Wheat-free and gluten-free pasta filled with vegan nut cheeze. 100% good for you and the planet. Great way to detox while feasting.  

By |September 23rd, 2013|Ani's Raw Food Essentials, Ani’s Raw Food Desserts, Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen, Gluten Free, Main Dishes, RECIPES, Super Foods, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Vegan Gluten-Free Ravioli

Ani’s Raw Food Certification Courses

I'm offering my final 2013 series of Ani's Raw Food Certification Courses in September in Santa Monica, CA. Level 1: September 20, 21, 22. Friday 3pm to 6pm. Saturday 8am to 4pm. Sunday 10am to 2pm. Level 2: September 27.28.29. Friday 3pm to 6pm. Saturday 8am to 4pm. Sunday 10am to 2pm. Level 3, Teacher Training: September 29, 30, October 1st. Sunday 4pm to 6pm. Monday 10am to 4pm. Tuesday 10am to 2pm. My inspiration for creating these courses is to help people learn how simple, quick, and easy raw food preparation can be! It's all about delicious and nutritious recipes made using a handful of easy to find ingredients. Complexity is added with sauces and plating. To support a healthy diet and lifestyle, we need to know how to make our own food, quickly! In my courses, I also discuss lifestyle topics including fitness, natural beauty, organic and eco-green living, healthy detox, weight loss, and much more. And for those interested in launching their own business, writing a book, and or creating a show, I talk about business strategy, entrepreneurship, marketing strategy, and keys to building your brand. I hope you can join me in September for one or all 3 of my courses! It's a really fun course, and a great way to detox feasting on the best raw food ever!! For more information, please visit my course page.    

Mango Sorbet-Macaroon Tartlets

Mango Sorbet-Macaroon Tartlets Makes 4 tartlets Crust •2 cups shredded coconut •1/2 cup cashews •1/4 teaspoon salt •1/4 cup agave syrup Mango Sorbet •2 cups chopped frozen mangoes •1 cup filtered water •1/3 cup agave syrup   To make the crust, combine the coconut, cashews, and salt in a food processor and process to fine powder. Add the agave syrup and process to mix well. To make the tartlet shells, line 4 small tartlet or brioche cups with plastic wrap. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the crust into each. Using your fingertips, firmly press the crust into the tartlet cup, leaving a cavity in the center to hold the sorbet. Place in the freezer to firm up for at least 30 minutes or more. To make the mango sorbet, combine the mangoes, water, and agave syrup in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately. Or, for an icier, more solid texture, scoop into a container and place in the freezer for an hour or more. To make the mango sorbet in an ice cream maker: Chill the mixture in the freezer for an hour or so, then scoop into the ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. To serve, scoop 1 tablespoon mango sorbet into each tartlet shell and serve immediately. The tartlet shells will keep in the freezer for many weeks. The assembled tartlets are best enjoyed immediately, but will keep in the freezer for several weeks. Thaw for 5 to 10 minutes before eating. – Recipe from Ani’s Raw Food Desserts

By |May 15th, 2013|Ani’s Raw Food Desserts, Desserts, RECIPES, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Mango Sorbet-Macaroon Tartlets

Ani at SF Green Festival

Mayor Gavin Newsom at SF Green Festival last Saturday. It’s the largest green festival in the country. Mayor Newsom is a long time vegetarian. The hall was packed for my talk on raw food desserts, nutrition, and overall well being. I demoed my famous Chocolate Raspberry Ganache Cake and Spiced Blueberry Cobbler, recipes from “Ani’s Raw Food Desserts”. There was a feeding frenzy over the sample tastes of the desserts, and they were delicious! Read more about the SF Green Fest on VegNews Magazine’s blog.

By |November 18th, 2009|Ani’s Raw Food Desserts, Beauty, Desserts, Events, Farmers' Market, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, Super Foods, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Ani at SF Green Festival

Celebrate the 1st Raw Academy in OKC!

Matthew Kenney’s done it again! This time in Oaklahoma City with his partner Dara Prentice. This amazing duo has opened the 1st accredited Culinary Academy for Raw Living Foods, along with a restaurant where you can enjoy Matthew’s amazing food. Join me, Matthew, Dara, and other folks from our community on Oct 3, 2009 in OKC at 105Degrees for a day of talks, demos, dinner, and celebration! •Philip McCluskey (weight loss) •Karen Knowler (UK raw coach) •Tim VanOrden (Running Raw Project) •Anthony Anderson (raw model) •Hope Ferdawsian (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) •Courtney Pool (Tree of Life, Gabriel Cousens) •Penni Shelton (raw coach) If you’re anyplace near OKC on Oct 3rd, I hope to see you at this amazing celebration at 105Degrees.

By |September 23rd, 2009|Ani’s Raw Food Desserts, Events, Events & Talks, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, Super Foods, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Celebrate the 1st Raw Academy in OKC!