Raw food is quick to make and highly nutritious. There are a wide variety of dishes that can be prepared using raw ingredients. Raw food dishes are fiber-rich and very good for your digestive system! Are you ready to wow your guests with excellent dishes that are packed with bursts of flavor? There are many different kinds of dishes that can be prepared using raw food ingredients – zesty salads, sweet treats, desserts, and heartier meals too. When certain ingredients are less or unprocessed, they retain much more of their nutrients.

Raw Chocolate Mousse

This is a wonderfully simple dish. You will need four ripe avocados, four tablespoons of cacao powder, and half a cup of maple syrup. Combine these in a food processor. You can also add 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract (this is optional). Chill in the fridge before serving. You can also decorate it with coconut sprinkles or fruit. This is a creamy, rich dessert that you can serve to guests, or make as a quick snack for yourself. As a snack portion, just use one avocado. You can also use the chocolate mousse as a filling for tarts.

Nutty Protein Balls

These are very popular and sold in many health shops, and trendy cafes. They are often made using whey powder. Blitz together the dates (8 Medjool), a cup of nuts (pecans, or walnuts), two tablespoons of cacao powder, three tablespoons of water and a pinch of salt. Roll into small balls, and dredge with coconut sprinkles. The nutty mixture can also be used to make tart shells.

Colorful Citrus Burst Salad

This is a bright, colorful salad that is full of Vitamin C. You will need two oranges, a tangerine, and a grapefruit. Segment and peel the fruit, and cut in half. You also need fresh mint, half a cup of pomegranate seeds and some baby green leaves, like spinach, or, kale. Make a dressing using three tablespoons of lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon of grated ginger and two tablespoons of honey. Spread out on a platter, and pour over the dressing.

Raw Vegan Pad Thai Inspired Salad

Spiralize two zucchinis, or peel and cut them into slivers. Combine with 2 cups of bean sprouts. Slice four green onions very finely, and chop up a small bunch of cilantro. Crush or chop 3/4 cup of nuts (cashew, peanut or almonds). Mix and add the juice of one fresh lime. Add salt to taste. Please note that you do not need any lettuce for this salad. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can add some chili, but you don’t want to overpower the other flavors.

Amazing Avocado Cucumber Rolls

These are absolutely amazing, and one of the most creative ways to use a cucumber and an avocado to make a super stylish, snack platter. You will need to blitz one avocado, 1/2 a cup of basil leaves, two teaspoons of lime juice and a clove of crushed garlic (salt to taste). Cut your cucumber in half lengthways, and use a peeler to make long slices. Spread a teaspoon of the avocado mix onto a slice, and roll it up. Place onto a platter, and garnish with sweet paprika spice.

Raw Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

You can whip up this fudge in next to no time at all. Soak a cup of dates in hot water for about twenty minutes. You also need a cup of coconut oil. Place it in hot water, until it has melted. Blend two cups of raw cacao powder, the softened dates, and a pinch of unrefined sea salt. Then add the peanut butter. Mix. Spread the mixture on a baking tray or in a shallow dish. Place in the fridge and let set for at least an hour. Cut up and serve. You might like to add a few other ingredients to your fudge. You could add dried fruit, like raisins or cranberries, coconut or banana chips. Chocolate and orange are always good pairing. Some orange zest and a little orange juice will give a citrus note to your fudge, but don’t add too much liquid.

Festive Pomegranate Slaw

Not only is this slaw delicious to eat, but is just beautiful to look at, and has a high ‘Wow’ factor. You will need to thinly slice half a head of red cabbage and four scallions. Chop up a small bunch of parsley. You will need about half a cup. Combine in a large bowl with one cup of pomegranate seeds, and half a cup of dried cranberries. To make the dressing. Combine two tablespoons of lemon juice, two tablespoons of orange juice, and two teaspoons of both lemons, and orange zest. (4 teaspoons altogether!) Add two tablespoons of maple syrup and two tablespoons of olive oil. Add salt to taste. Pour over the salad. Enjoy!

Ancient Grains and Strawberry Watercress Salad

You will need two large strawberries with the hull removed, watercress leaves, and about two teaspoons of chopped basil leaves (or thyme), the cubes of one avocado. Sprinkle the salad with two tablespoons of toasted quinoa, amaranth or buckwheat. You can also add heirloom tomatoes, but these are optional. Dress with two teaspoons of balsamic syrup or balsamic vinegar. Add sea salt and black pepper. Ancient grains are high in protein; you may also like to make a more substantial dish by using the salad ingredients to make a protein power pot.

Mexican Inspired Mango Avocado Salsa

You will need one large avocado (Florida) or two smaller (Haas) ones. Cut one mango into small cubes and place it into a bowl, as well as the avocado. Slice two scallions into small pieces. Add one tablespoon of chopped parsley, and one tablespoon of chopped cilantro. Add the juice of half a lime. This salsa can be enjoyed as a side dish, or enjoyed on its own on toast, or seed crackers.

Two Minute Green Peanut Soup

You can substitute the vegetables, in this recipe, for any green vegetables that you have at home. This soup can be enjoyed hot or cold. You start by adding just less than half a cup of peanuts (100ml) to a blender. Blitz until the nuts are chopped very finely. Then add 2 cups of water, and blitz again. Add your green vegetables – one cup of broccoli, one cup of fresh or frozen spinach, and half a cup of leeks. Blitz together. Then add a handful of basil, one teaspoon of crushed ginger, one crushed garlic clove, and a generous squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and both black (ground) and white pepper. Blitz again. Chill and pour into bowls. Garnish with some chopped parsley or chopped basil.