ZA ZA ZITI

Yesterday I Made:

ZA ZA ZITI for DINNER.

Recipe from VEGNEWS magazine May/June 2009 issue.

Rich tomato sauce, macadamia-nut ricotta, creamy cashew sauce, and whole wheat penne (couldn't find whole wheat ziti).

Baked and eaten just like lasagna and paired with a romaine salad with a "Honey Mustard Salad Dressing from The Vegan Table.

This recipe is really time consuming since there are 4 different steps to it.

From cooking the pasta, to making the tomato sauce, ricotta sauce, and the creamy cashew sauce.

Oh, and you also have to do soak the macadamia nuts for 4 hours prior to making the ricotta.

But it was well worth all the work and all the dirty dishes and appliances.

It's not a dish I would make often because of all the work.

But I will definitely keep it in mind when I'm in the mood for a baked pasta dish.

Today I Made:

THE PERFECT SALAD for LUNCH.

As I was getting ready to take my first forkful, I realized that it looked so beautiful I had to post it.

*I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT USING A TOY IN THESE PICS*

Salad contains:

-Spring salad mix

-Julienned red cabbage

-Red onion

-Cherry tomatoes

-Pineapple

-Garbanzo beans

-Cucumbers

-Asian Miracle dressing

And for DESSERT:

RAW CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE!!!

One of my all time favorite desserts.

So smooth and decadent.

Pure bliss.

The funny thing is that it contains zero chocolate.

It's made out of organic carob, cashews, dates, walnuts, agave, and coconut oil.

Made by a local company called NUDE FOODS.

Unfortunately, they only sell to Los Angeles area Whole Foods and some other smaller stores.

Highly recommend trying it.

They also make Blueberry, Lemon-Blueberry, Pumpkin Spice, Strawberry. Raspberry, and Vanilla cheesecake.

CONFETTI SALAD IN ORANGE-CUCUMBER DRESSING

Final Presentation

Ready to be tossed with the dressing.

Orange-cucumber dressing

Salad ingredients ready to be blended.

Salad dressing ingredients.

Salad ingredients

Today I Made:

CONFETTI SALAD IN ORANGE-CUCUMBER DRESSING for DINNER.

Recipe from ANY'S RAW FOOD KITCHEN by Ani Phio.

Romaine lettuce, Kale, Red Cabbage, walnuts, and dried cranberries with a light orange-cucumber dressing.

A very refreshing mix of vegetables and so colorful.

Great for a potluck or for a warm spring or summer meal.