VeganPOTLUCKpalooza

At the Harmony Kitchen in Noho we met for a scrumptious evening of sharing homemade vegan plates. Harmony Kirchen is a wonderful and odd coffee shop/art space also offering perfectly priced vegan café delights such as sandwiches, salads, baked goods, beverages. It is a spacious venue with neat artwork on the walls, lofted ceilings, and kind, animal loving staff. It is a bit difficult to find with little signage and a handle-less door, characteristics that make the space a bit more alluring, unique, and magical. It is no Starbucks. The location is also home to the Yippie museum, an organization supporting social activism and political consciousness.

 

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Organized by the fabulous Demetrius of the NYC Vegan EatUp group we supped on stuffed mushrooms with daikon radish, collard greens, stuffed shells baked in a chunky tomato sauce, cauliflower mashed potatoes, two kinds of macaroni-and-cheese (one with a crumbly topping and also gluten-free) all minus dairy, eggs, butter, etc. I prepared two raw vegan dishes, one being a rainbow colored salad with freshly made cranberry chia crackers, taking veganism a step further by making food with actually, well, no cooking at all!

Creamy Vegan/Gluten-Free Mac-n-Cheese

My Raw Vegan Rainbow LOVE Salad.

 Eating raw food is a lifestyle choice rather than a diet it seems, a path that gifts one with blissful holistic health and nutrition as well as a deeper connection with Mother Nature. Raw food is loosely defined as all food uncooked or heated to 118 degrees or less, allowing for maximal nutritional value. By consuming live (raw), organic food one’s body becomes optimally efficient and clean, due to the alkalizing qualities of uncooked food….the live enzymes also assisting in improved digestion and elimination. Other results of eating live food include increased energy, weight maintenance, reduced risk of illnesses, and greater compassion for yourself and others.

A taste of it all!

 Ok. Ok. Basta. Enough propaganda.

It was all divine to my palate, the company delightful. Chef David of Harmony Kitchen joined the celebration, providing delicious iced chai to accompany the meal. Sharing recipes, favorite food experiences and restaurants, experiences of judgment as well as amazement being a vegan/educating the curious, and so on, we chatted away before enjoying my homemade raw vegan mint chip pie. It was still St. Patrick’s day and I couldn’t contain myself from creating another green treat.

My Raw Vegan Mint Chip Pie

 Raw Vegan Mint Chip Pie with Walnut Brownie Crust (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Crust:

·         6-7 fresh medjool dates, pits removed

·         1.5 cups raw organic walnuts

·         1 tsp. organic pure vanilla

·         1 tsp cinnamon

·         1/2 tsp. seasalt

·         1/4 cup raw cacao powder

·         1 tbsp. raw organic coconut butter

Method:

-In food processor blend all ingredients except coconut oil until mixture is quite crumbly.

-The crust is done when one can form a ball with the dough. Be careful to not over process or the nuts will release too much oil.

-Use the coconut butter to lightly grease the pie pan.

-Press crust into pan, making a lip for the edge of the crust on the sides.

Topping:

·         2 cups raw organic cashews

·         1/2 cup water

·         1/3 cup raw organic coconut sugar (to taste)

·         1 handful fresh mint leaves

·         1 tsp. organic pure vanilla

·         dash seasalt

·         1/3 cup raw organic cocoa butter

Garnish:

·         1/3 cup raw cacao nibs (I use the sweet ones similar to chocolate chips)

·         Shredded coconut/fresh mint leaves

Method:

-Place cacao butter in a double boiler to melt the cocoa butter for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat before all the pieces have melted and continue to stir until completely liquefied. Place aside to cool.

 -In Vitamix (or other high-quality blender) blend all remaining ingredients until smooth. May adjust sweetness if desired.

-Add cocoa butter last, mixing quickly only until combined. The cacao butter will cause the mixture to seize if blended too much.

 -Pour into crust. Shake pan a bit to release any air bubbles.

-Garnish, place in freezer for an hour to firm up, Enjoy!!!

With my dessert I enjoyed a tasty Harmony Kitchen americano made with local Brooklyn beans and offered with a selection of sweeteners. I will return to the Harmony Kitchen for sure, for the fab WiFi, gentle energy of the staff, and enticing coffee.