Welcome to installment two in my raw food journey! We’ve been doing well, considering that we’ve been “cooked food + meat eaters forever. My husband is doing slightly better than I am. He’s got the willpower of…I don’t know what, but he’s almost unbending in this raw food journey. A bull! He’s stubborn like a bull.
We’re still in the “integrating” stage, where we do a lot of raw, some vegetarian/vegan, and meat once a week. We had some beef ribs on Memorial Day weekend that we smoked--and oh man, they were delicious and mouthwateringly perfect! But we both felt sort of sick after eating them. Not only bothered in our stomachs, but it felt weird not being able to get the taste out of my mouth. Beef, I’ll miss you. You were always such a tasty treat…hehe. But back to the integrating--we still have some baked bread and non-raw stuff, but overall, we’re eating much healthier than we were a month ago.
Which brings me to these raw burgers, from Ani Phyo. They were really tasty! Perhaps need just a bit of playing around with as far as seasonings go--I’d like to add the Weber Burger Seasoning that we always use. Used, hehe! And maybe a little Bragg’s Liquid Aminos. (Which tastes just like soy sauce, only lighter, for those of you who have never tried it.)
Overall, they were really good, and we’ll have them again, for sure. I loved the flavor that ketchup added, too, surprisingly! I didn’t make Ani’s raw ketchup, but the one we used was organic. They definitely need some crunch, so go ahead and pile on your crisp greens and sliced onions.
I dehydrated the bread and burgers in my oven with the door propped opened, but as we prepare more and more raw foods, I am starting to see the need for and advantages of a dehydrator. We like to have crackers and chips to snack on--and it would be nice to pop them in there and let them do their thing. But in a pinch, the oven did the job.
The recipe for the burgers can be found here, on Ani’s site. And the bread recipe can be found by clicking here. My tip--if you’re making this without a dehydrator, make the bread on parchment paper, because when it’s time to flip it, it’ll be much easier. Then peel the paper off. And although the bread looks cracker-ish, it’s not. It’s very pliable.
Raw Burger Porn:
All of this healthy stuff…
becomes this super healthy bread:
I hope you’ll continue on with me on my raw food journey. It won’t be all I make and post, for sure. I love to bake, and we’re still eating meat at least once a week, so there will always be something for everyone.
I don't know that I could ever give up my carnivore ways. Just the aroma of neighbor's grilling tonight sent me into cravings for a burger. But, my hat goes off to you in this journey. It is interesting, and I do enjoy reading about it. The pics are amazing and very tempting, too.
ReplyDeleteAh, here it is. This looks like a winner to me. I must try this whole raw thing some day, I hear such great things. I'm surprised the oven worked so well to dehydrate too, excellent work Elle!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE IT!!! I'm high-raw, as you know, so this excites me a lot :-D
ReplyDeleteI would totally eat that, I'm always adding more and more raw to my diet. My hubby, well, I don't think I'll ever convert him.
ReplyDeleteLooks really good! I don't eat meat, so that isn't an issue for me. I am trying to eat more raw/clean foods too. The summer is a lot easier with the great fresh produce! Keep sharing your recipes!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a lot of grains. I think I would love it but you are right about seasonings. I bet a raw sauce to replace the good old special sauce on a sesame seed bun would do well.
ReplyDeletePictures look great!
I have a friend who does the raw diet thing and can't live with out her dehydrator and vitamix blender. So you might want to think about it if you think you will keep with it.
ReplyDeleteI am totally making those burgers this weekend. Yum.
ReplyDeleteHello :) I found you via Gourmeted and we both appear to like limes and eating raw foods, so I thought I'd say hi!
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet made any breads or things requiring dehydration, but I must say that a spiralizer and dehydrator are at the top of my wish list! Right now it's just me and my knife (which sounds kinda scary, ha ha!).
Looking forward to reading your experiences in the kitchen cooked & uncooked,
~ Emily.
WOW! This looks delicious! I've been vegetarian for 3 months now and this looks like something right up my alley. I went vegetarian to expand my palette and it sure works! There's some amazing foods out there that meat gets in the way of!
ReplyDeleteYUMMY!
Ha! I just had steak tartar yesterday at a French bistro here in LA--it was the first time in ages and ages, and it was delicious. But now a little guilt creeps in.
ReplyDeleteSB--thanks for the photo compliment! I don't think I'll ever give up meat 100%, either. At least not for now.
ReplyDeleteNick--thank you!
Liz--thanks so much--glad to see you like this.
Dawn, honestly, if my husband wasn't doing this, too--it would be harder to stick with it.
Maria--I'm already looking ahead, wondering if it'll be tougher in the colder months. Thanks!
BJ--yes, a good sauce would be really good on these!
Katie--those are the two things at the top of our list! Our blender does a great job, but it's no Vita-Mix.
Jessica--please let me know how it goes for you!
Emily--nice to meet you! Yes, a spiralizer is #3 on our list, I almost forgot! Thanks for popping in.
PetiteChef--yes, I know what you mean. The food tastes cleaner. We still eat meat once a week, but eventually, may phase it out for good.
Unconfidential--don't feel guilty! I still love meat. I haven't eaten beef raw, though. I wonder if I'd like it?
Good on you for this journey you're on - not stopping meat consumption is really okay - what's really important is how aware you've become of what you're really consuming and the quality.
ReplyDeleteElle, I think it is totally awesome that you AND your hubby are doing this! I have a hard enough time trying to convince Grumpy to eat a vegetarian meal. I don't think I could ever convince him to do this.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on going on this raw journey. It's always something that has interested me, so it's cool to see you write about it. I actually think the bread looks really great, and would make that as nice omega 3 travel snack. Beautiful job buddy :)
ReplyDeleteDo you know of any good sources in southern NH for local meat, dairy, fruits, etc? I'm having a heck of a time finding any! Good luck on this journey, Elle!
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with your determination and wish you all the best on this journey!
ReplyDeleteI am trying to reduce our level of meat consumption. One of these days, I intend to explore adding a raw meal or two as well.
Wow, I'm so impressed with your raw food journey! I can't wait to see more recipes.
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ReplyDeleteA whole new area to explore! I have heard of raw food for dogs (Greyhounds) but not for us . . . it makes complete sense!
ReplyDeleteWow, these look awesome! So unique and healthy :)
ReplyDeleteSues
I love that you are trying raw. And, I adore Braggs liquid aminos; great on salad.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - I am fascinated and can't wait to read more about your raw food journey. I don't know if I can (or want) to go this route but I am certainly excited to follow along. Good luck - this was a very interesting post!
ReplyDeleteThat bread actually looks pretty stinking good if you ask me. I am very inspired.
ReplyDeleteThx, Emily
GREAT BURGER! Love these flavors! You might want to check out our ultimate burger contest and enter it - there is even a prize! http://www.chezus.com/2009/06/15/ultimate-hamburger/.
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