Adventures in Raw Food

Category: Fruit

  • The Best Way to Pit an Avocado

    Here is the best way, hands down (and hands safe!) to pit an avocado. Oh, sure, we know all the tips and ways that others remove the pit from their avocados, but our way is truly the best way to remove that seed – it’s fast, it’s easy, it’s safe, and it leaves the rest of the avocado intact.

    Some people will tell you to split the avocado in half, and then drive a knife into the seed, using the knife to twist the pit out of the avocado. This not only isn’t very safe, but will sometimes lead to the pit splitting, but still embedded in the avocado.

    Others will tell you to take it out with a spoon, or to squeeze it out. These methods do work, but they are messy, and often result in sacrificing part of the avocado flesh.

    Our method has none of these problems, making it not only neat and easy, but also frustration free.

    Here’s how to do it. You will need:

    Avocado
    Progressive fruit scoop (see link below)

    Split avocado in half…

     

    avocado-pit-1

     

    …and gently glide the fruit loop under the pit.

     

    pit-avocado-2

     

    And there you have it. A perfectly pitted avocado.

     

    pitted-avocado

     

    You can buy a set of 3 fruit loops (3 different sizes) for just $11.00 on Amazon:

    Buy Progressive International 3 Piece Fruit Scoops Set on Amazon

  • Ridiculously Easy, Completely Scrumptious Raw Fruit Compote or Topping

    We love using fresh fruit, but sometimes it’s not practical. However, we always have several kinds of organic fresh-frozen fruit in the freezer, and it’s amazing how easy it is to use this to make an incredibly delicious raw fruit compote (or spiced fruit compote! – yum!) or fruit topping.

    Just take three different types of frozen fruit – we always include at least one lobed berry, such as raspberry or blackberry, as these contribute the best juices – and mix them, still frozen, in a glass bowl.

    Our favourite combinations are:

    raspberries, blackberries and cherries
    raspberries, blackberries and strawberries
    raspberries, blackberries and peaches
    raspberries, strawberries, and peaches

    Whatever combination you use, put the glass bowl with the frozen fruit in your dehydrator, and warm the fruit at 115, stirring occasionally, until it is thoroughly warmed.

    At this point you will have a lovely juice in with the warm fruit.

    You can just serve it like this, in bowls, with a spoon, or spoon it over something else (or into oatmeal!..mmmmm).

    Or you can mix in a little agave or honey to make it a bit sweeter, and you can also stir in some cinnamon or clove (depending on the fruit) for a spiced fruit compote.

    This is so easy, and a great last minute dessert! Dump the fruit in a bowl, stir, and put it in the dehydrator when you start preparing dinner, and by the time you are done eating, you will have a lovely fruit compote for dessert!

  • Fabulous Raw Fruit Crisp or Fruit Crumble Recipe

    This recipe for a raw fruit crisp (or raw fruit crumble) is absolutely fabulous! And it’s very easy to make!

    Fabulous Raw Fruit Crisp or Fruit Crumble Recipe

    Topping:

    1 cup organic walnuts
    1 cup organic pecans
    1/4 cup uncooked quick oats
    1/2 cup organic shredded coconut
    4 medjool or other moist organic dates, pitted
    1 Tablespoon agave nectar

    Filling:

    1 small container strawberries (mine are 8.8 ounces or 250 grams)
    1 small container blueberries (6 ounces or 170 grams)
    1 small container raspberries (4.4 ounces or 125 grams)
    1 Tablespoon agave nectar

    Directions:

    Place all topping ingredients in bowl of food processor with the ‘s’ blade (the curved cutting blade). Pulse until all ingredients are uniformly processed and crumbly, with crumbs no larger than pea-sized.

    Empty topping out of food processor into another bowl and set aside.

    Put food processor bowl back together (do not rinse or clean) with the ‘s’ blade.

    Rinse all of the berries and let drain well. Keep each type of berry separate.

    Remove any leaves and stems from the strawberries. Cut the strawberries in half (if they are very large cut them in quarters).

    Put the strawberries in the food processor and pulse them just a little, until they are chopped, but not too finely.

    Now add the blueberries to the food processor and pulse again, just enough to chop the blueberries up a bit.

    Finally, add the raspberries and the agave nectar, and pulse again to get all of the berries finely chopped and well mixed and the agave nectar well incorporated.

    Spread the filling evenly in the bottom of an 8×8 pan. I use a square 8×8 plastic container (such as Rubbermaid or Tupperware) although you could use a cake pan.

    Spread the topping on top of the filling, spreading it evenly all over.

    Put the pan in the dehydrator, near the middle, at 115 degrees, for 2 to 4 hours. You can eat it any time after about 2 hours, but 4 hours is best.

    This is so scrumptious! You can also try other berry combinations (such as blackberries and raspberries).

    Here are some pictures:

    In the dehydrator:

    Just out of the dehydrator:

    With a little corner cut out so you can see the filling:

    Enjoy!