Ingredients
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is used a lot of the time in raw vegan cooking especially when making raw desserts and sweets due to the fact it acts as a hardening agent.
In Melbourne coconut oil can be purchased usually in the health food isle at Woolworths or Coles or at health food stores.
Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is used in a lot of the raw cupcakes I make to add that cupcake consistency.
In Melbourne coconut flour can be purchased at most health food stores and sometimes at specialised supermarkets.
Coconut nectar is used in raw desserts and sweets as a raw sweetener. It is extremely sweet so not a lot is used at once.
In Melbourne, coconut nectar can only be purchased at health food stores
Raw Cacao Powder
Raw Cacao powder is unprocessed unlike normal cocoa powder. It is used when a chocolate flavour is wanted in raw desserts and sweets.
In Melbourne, raw cacao powder can only be purchased from health food stores
Raw Agave Nectar, like coconut nectar is a sweetener used in raw desserts and sweets. It is extremely sweet so only a small amount is needed.
In Melbourne, Raw Agave Nectar can only be purchased at health food stores
Golden flaxmeal are flax seeds ground down to produce a flour like consistency. It is never used in substitute of flour but can be used to dry out a dough which is too sticky. It can also be used as topping on smoothie bowls.
In Melbourne, flax meal can only be purchased at health food stores
Nutritional Yeast
Vegans can't have cheese, right? But they can still enjoy a cheesy taste. Nutritional yeast gives a creamy cheesy tastes to raw pasta sauces and savoury meals.
In Melbourne, nutritional yeast can only be purchased at health food stores
Dates
Fresh medjool dates are used a lot in raw food. They are sticky and help bring doughs and crusts together so it forms easily. When purchasing dates always make sure they are soft and squishy which means they are fresh and will break down well in the food processor
Fresh dates can be purchased at supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles in the fruit and vegetable section and at health food stores.
Maca Powder
Maca powder is a super food which can be added to smoothies to give it that extra health kick.
In Melbourne, Maca powder can only be purchased from health food stores.
Lucuma Powder
Lucuma powder like maca powder is another superfood which can be added to smoothies for that extra health benefit.
In Melbourne, Lucuma powder can only be purchased from health food stores.
Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds is a superfood which is added into smoothies and toppers for smoothie bowls and savoury meals.
In Melbourne, hemp seeds can only be purchased at health food stores
Techniques
Soaking Nuts
Soaking nuts especially cashews is a technique used a lot in raw vegan cooking both savoury and sweet. To soak nuts, put the amount of nuts needed for the recipe in a bowl and submerge them in water. What this process down is soften the nuts allowing them to go through blenders easily. It also allows them to break down easier to get a smooth consistency if needed for a cheesecake.
Equipment
Blender
A blender is a must have when it comes to being raw vegan. How do you expect to get the smooth creamy consistency for a raw cheesecake or smoothie?
WARNING! Many blenders have been broken in the process of trying new raw vegan recipes so I recommend starting off with a cheap blender and as you get more comfortable with how it works and how to use it then upgrade it when your cheap one breaks.
The best blender you can get is a Vitamix, it blends everything into anything, the problem is it is very expensive, the price of a Vitamix ranges from $795 to $1,200.....not really in my price range.
Food Processor
A food processor is also a must have when it comes to being raw vegan. It chops, grates and combines all at the same time, perfect for making cupcakes and meatballs and anything which requires as consistency which still has some texture and chunks in it.
WARNING!! Like the blender, many food processors have been broken in the process of trying new raw vegan recipes so once again I recommend starting off with a cheap food processor and as you get to know how to use it properly without causing damage and mess once it breaks you can upgrade.
Sometimes the cheap ones are the best though, about 3 years ago I purchased a two in one Sunbeam blender and food processor from The Good Guys for about $70 and it is still going strong. Yes I could upgrade to a bigger and stronger one but at the moment it does a great job.
Dehydrator
A dehydrator is a handy piece of equipment if you are passionate about following a fully raw lifestyle and diet. Dehydrating a long process and can take up to 24 hours but it is so worth it, especially when something like raw meatballs have finished dehydrating and are firm on the outside and still moist and a bit warm in the inside. Its the best feeling and taste.
Dehydrators are hard to break because you just place whatever you are dehydrating onto the dehydrating trays and leave it alone, but from experience it does help to have a decent dehydrator.
Personally I have a really cheap one from ebay.com which cost me $70 but it is not strong enough to dehydrate all the trays at once, it can only dehydrate to its full potential with one tray at a time.
My dream dehydrator looks like a portable oven and is a Sedona dehydrator and will set you back around $700...once again like the Vitamix not really in my price range. It is powerful and enclosed enough to dehydrate 7 trays at the one time. That means I could have pizza bases, cupcakes, meatballs, kale chips, squash chips and so many other yummy things in there at the same time.
Something which I found other raw vegan blogs haven't found is how handy a multi purpose stick blender is. This piece of equipment is a hand motor with different blade attachments. I only really use the mini food processor attachment because it is so handy for dips and chopping up a small amount of veggies and purees, the other attachments aren't really needed for raw vegan recipes.
This little baby will set you back around $60 to $120 but it is so worth it just for the little food processor, you won't regret getting one. Luckily I got mine from my dad, thanks daddy!
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