Raw Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Oatmeal

I've already posted on my love for all things oatmeal raisin on my Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Granola post, but what that post didn't cover is my love for raw recipes.

"Why?" you ask.

Well, not only are raw foods usually very simple to throw together, requiring less active prep time(since you don't have to cook it), but eating raw is often the best way to get optimum nutrition from your food because cooking can break down and destroy the enzymes food contains.

I like cooked food, but it's fun to incorporate raw recipes into my diet. And I love cooked oatmeal, but this raw oatmeal recipe is a nice way to spice things up and add a little variety. Variety along with cinnamon are the spices of life you know. This recipe contains both.

Raw Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Oatmeal

(Makes one large serving)
Ingredients:


-1 cup non-dairy milk of choice(for a truly raw recipe I like to make my own almond flax milk)
-1/2 cup steel cut oats or oat groats
-1 tsp. vanilla
-1/4 tsp. cinnamon
-Pinch salt
-1 scoop stevia(my bottle came with a little scoop. If yours did not, or if you're using liquid, add a very, very small amount at a time and taste)
-1 Tbs. chia seeds
-Optional: 1 tsp. lucuma powder(it has a sweet, slightly caramel flavor. If you omit, you may need to add more sweetener)

-Toppings such as raisins and almonds


Method:


Combine all ingredients except for toppings in a bowl. Cover and let soak in refrigerator overnight, or at least a few hours. Sprinkle with toppings of choice and enjoy!

Warm Roasted Potato, Beet & Butternut Squash Salad

For me, the popular dish Potato Salad conjures up images of church picnics and summer pot lucks when I was a child. I used to love potato salad the way my mom made it, with lots of mustard, pickles and hard boiled eggs, tucked perfectly into an ice chest for a day at the lake or a pot luck at the park.

This potato salad is all dolled up and ready for a night out on the town with the addition of roasted beets, butternut squash and herbs, and a light, warm mustard vinaigrette dressing. I still get my mustard fix(I used to eat the stuff plain or stir it into my mashed potato's as a kid. *Cringe*, I know), but I sub Dijon mustard for its common yellow cousin. And vinegar gives the dish the same delightful tang of pickles.

Warm Roasted Potato, Beet & Butternut Squash Salad

Ingredients:

- 2 beets, washed, peeled and diced (I actually tend to not peel them because it's messy and mine were organic, but I guess most people do peel theirs, so I leave the life altering decision to your discretion)
-2 potatoes, diced(I used 1 Russet and a couple small reds)
-1/4 of a butternut squash(about 2 cups), diced
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-1 onion, diced
-1 Tbs. olive oil

For Dressing:

-1 1/2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
-1 Tbs. vinegar(I used apple cider vinegar, but would have subbed red wine vinegar if I had any on hand)
-A handful fresh rosemary(or maybe about a Tbs. dried)
-2 tsp. thyme
-1/2 tsp, dill
-1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Method:

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine all vegetables and oil in a large bowl, then divide between 2 baking sheets. Roast for 30 minutes or until veggies are tender, stirring every 10 minutes or so.

Meanwhile prepare dressing by whisking all dressing ingredients in a bowl.

When veggies are done, pour into a large bowl and immediately toss with dressing. This dish is delicious warm, room temperature or cold. You have choices!

Creamy & Tangy Secret Ingredient Pasta Sauce

I've been a little squash obsessed recently. There are just so many varieties and it's the perfect fall food. Even though California holds onto that summer warmth until November, this year I'm hoping for early gray skies, colored leaves, and some October sweater weather. I will it. I've even accessorized with scarves at least a few times a week in the 100 degrees Fahrenheit weather, just to protest these Californian 8 month summers. It's a travesty.

End rant.

Anywho, as you've probably ascertained, the secret ingredient in the pasta sauce is... squash! Specifically of the butternut variety. A delicious food with a very fun name. Come on, say it with me: butter nut, butternut, butternutbutternutbutternutbutternut! It's just fun to say. And this pasta sauce is equally fun to eat.

Pureed squash adds creaminess(without fat), to this recipe and lends a very pretty pale orange coloration. I also add cauliflower because... why not? Lemon juice lightens up the flavor while adding some tang. Try this recipe. It's super healthy, super delicious.

After devouring my first attempt at this recipe I had to go back to the store and pick up another squash and make more pasta sauce. I had to. To perfect the recipe and make it blog ready obviously.

Creamy & Tangy Secret Ingredient Pasta Sauce

(Makes 3 cups sauce)
Ingredients:

-1/2 a butternut squash, cubed(I like to cube and roast the other half with mixed veggies and add to pasta and sauce)
-2 cups cauliflower florets
-1 cup non-dairy milk
-1/4 cup nutritional yeast
-1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
-1 1/2 tsp. onion powder
-1 1/2 tsp. salt
-1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
-3 cloves garlic, diced
-1 lemon
- Optional: 1 Tbs. olive oil(I used it the first time I made the recipe and omitted it the second without noticing much of a difference)


Method:

Steam squash and cauliflower until tender. Meanwhile puree all other ingredients in vita-mix(or blender/food processor). Add steamed veggies and puree until smooth. Serve over pasta and roasted veggies.