The Raw Chef Blog

In my search for the ultimate nut cheese, i’ve seen and tried numerous recipes containing various ingredients.  But one of the ingredients that interested me most that i’ve seen used time and time again is Nutrional Yeast (NY).  It interests me for 2 reasons, firstly it’s flavour…It’s just so cheesy!  The second reason is that I was wondering why the hell yeast was being used in raw recipes! :-0  I’ve since gained a better understanding of NY and now see it as having many benefits and a worthy place in my diet, not least because of the b-vitamins it conatains.  Let me explain…

Nutritional yeast is very different from the yeast that we see used in baking, dairy and alcohol as it is completely inactive.  It is grown specifically for it’s nutritional qualities from pure strains of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (Latin, don’t ask!!!) grown on a mixture of cane and beet molasses.

(more…)

Popularity: 9% [?]

If you were at the last Fresh Network open day you may have seen me demonstrating how to make herb bread and how to use the bread to make a sandwich.  Well, I’ve come up with a new bread recipe and I have to say, it’s even better!  You are the first to know about this recipe as I only took the first batch out of the dehydrator this morning and I’m feeling particularly satisfied now as I’ve just polished off a sandwich fit for Scooby Doo!!!

Before I go into the bread recipe, I’d just like to remind you of the next Fresh Network Open Day.  These really are a fantastic day for members and guests alike.  As well as coming to the beautiful riverside location Ely and getting your hands on all the equipment and raw food you can handle, there’ll be a range of food demos going on, some with free tasters!  You can come from 10am and stay until 4pm, having lunch with us, or you can just drop in to say hi!  If you time it right, you might even get some chocolate torte!  Seeing as it’s Easter coming up, not only will I be demonstrating how to make my chocolate torte, I’ll also be showing you how to make raw chocolate Easter eggs.  So now you won’t have to worry about what to do when everyone else is eating their eggs this year, just join in!  Brilliant!

So on with the bread recipe…

(more…)

Popularity: 58% [?]

Build and they will come!  How the numbers have grown at our dinner parties since the first one back in January.  Last night was the biggest group I’ve catered for in one go - 14 people all expecting (and getting) a three course raw delight.  It was such a challenge and great experience to deliver food on that scale.

You can check out the photos in the photo album on this site and see what a great night was had by everyone.  My food was just part of the evening as everyone chatted, laughed (mostly at Pete’s jokes!) and generally had a ball.  My thanks and gratitude go out to everyone who came and made it all work.

(more…)

Popularity: 2% [?]

How would you like to sample a fantastic 3 course gourmet raw dinner, prepared for you to enjoy in fabulous company, with great conversation in a rural setting?

Well the good news is that we’ve been able to extend the number of people we can cater for at our Cambridgeshire Raw Dinner Parties from 6 to 12!!!  Even though we’ve only just announced this, 3 of the extra places have already gone so we only have 3 left.  Here’s the menu for the dinner that starts at 7pm on the 18th March…

(more…)

Popularity: 2% [?]

Had to share this with you!  If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you may be familiar with Dylan, the raw food rabbit.  Well apparently there’s a whole world of raw pets out there, including man’s best friend - the dog!

This website is selling copies of ‘Raw Food Dog: Make It Easy For You and Your Dog’ by Carina Beth MacDonald.  Here’s what they’re saying about it…

(more…)

Popularity: 2% [?]

I was driving along in my car (where better to drive?) this morning and heard on the radio that the Government has launched a consultation on whether, "all sweets, soft drinks and sugary snacks should be banned from schools in England and Wales."

The School Food Trust is recommending that vending machines stock healthier alternatives such as fruit, veg and nuts - hallelujah!!!  Is it any wonder our kids are repulsed by vegetables when we feed them sugar 24/7 and ruin their developing taste buds?  In the words of the trust’s chairwoman, Suzi Leather, "We know that many children are eating themselves into an early grave". Yes they are -  1 in 8 children are now obese with this set to rise to 1 in 4 by the year 2020!

(more…)

Popularity: 2% [?]

Isn’t it supposed to start warming up by now?  We’re having some very cold weather in the UK right now (colder than normal) and i’m really feeling it!  Probably because the heating in my flat is rubbish - does anyone know how night storage heaters actually work?  Think i’m going to need a trip to Argos to invest in a portable electric one.  At least it’s not snowing where I am, :-)  it’s been beautiful sunshine every morning when I look out over the Church from my bedroom window but that just hasn’t taken away from the coldness.

So in my quest to warm myself up, I thought of putting together a warming recipe.  I’ve made Spinach Masala on the basis that the spices will have a warming effect on me…errrrr, it didn’t work, ahem, but it does taste good, so here’s the recipe! :-)

(more…)

Popularity: 10% [?]