I have released four recipe books so far:

The Best of the Sunny Raw Kitchen
The Best of Raw Freedom Community
Delightfully Raw and
Deliciously Raw

These feature some of the most delectable creations to have come out of my raw kitchen and will appeal to anyone interested in a healthier diet, regardless of their level of knowledge and experience. From easy one-step everyday fare to more elaborate and involved gourmet dishes and layered cakes, they offer something for everyone and every occasion. Incredibly tasty smoothies, creamy and comforting warm soups, sexy salads, delicious nut cheezes, satisfying entrees and scrumptious guilt-free desserts...

Healthy food never tasted so good!

To learn more about my recipe books, click here!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Recipe of the Week: Sunflower Dill Dressing

I know, I know. I've been a bad girl... vanishing from cyberspace like that without a word. I just got back from a 10 day meditation retreat at the Vipassana Center in Merrit, BC. I found out I was going only at the last minute and barely had enough time to pack.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Vipassana, it's one of India's most ancient meditation techniques and was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago. Vipassana, which means "to see things as they really are", is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. While most meditation techniques aims mainly to quiet the mind, Vipassana works at a deeper level, purifying the mind of its negativities/ conditioning. This non-sectarian technique also allows one to realize the truth of impermanence in a direct and experiential way within the framework of one's own body. After using it daily for the last 7 years, I am still amazed at how simple yet effective Vipassana is. I can honestly say that this technique has positively changed my life in a tangible way.

One of the unusual aspects of the Vipassana Centers is that they are operated solely on a donation basis. Old students volunteer their time and energy in order to 'serve', allowing others to benefit from sitting a meditation course. So this time around, besides meditating about 6 hours a day, I also gave a hand in the kitchen, preparing the daily salads and special meals. I even managed to come back with a few recipes, including this lovely oil-free dressing that Dana, the manager of Merrit's Center, has kindly accepted that I share with you.


Sunflower Dill Dressing
Courtesy of the Vipassana Centers' menu

Yields 4 cups

2 cups sunflower seeds, ground
2 cups water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tbs dried dill
1 tsp tamari or salt
1 tsp honey

Begin by grinding the sunflower seeds in the blender (a coffee grinder would also do).

Add the other ingredients and blend until smooth.

Carmella's Notes:
~ This yields quite a bit of dressing so you may want to halve the recipe.

~ The recipe calls for dry sunflower seeds but I bet soaked seeds would work beautifully.

~ You could replace some or all of the apple cider vinegar with lemon juice.

~ You may need to add water as the dressing thickens as it sits.

Enjoy!

12 comments:

  1. yay so glad you are back... sounds like you had a great time though!

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  2. Thanks sarabeth!

    During my meditations, the thought of skipping my RofTW post would creep up from time to time. lol I'll try to make it up to you with lots of yummy recipes; I've got them all lined up on my 'to make' list. ;-)

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  3. this looks delicious. nice that you got away, sounds lovely.

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  4. Dear Carmella: Your course must had been wonderful. Isn´t serving the best thing? I cannot go again now because of my job but Vipassana daily practice is the best of the best, jijiji I hope I get December vacations to go sit again or serve for a few days. Wouldn´t it be nice to sinchronize once a week and meditate together?
    See you in the RFC, soleta

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  5. YUM! This dressing sounds wonderful and they're ingredients I have on hand. Nice to have options w/o oil.

    glad you're back (you're missed!) but that you had a wonderful retreat.

    Oh and your book? Ah-mazing! :)

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  6. Thank you so very much for this beautiful post. What a divine thing. (All of it!)

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  7. Someone needs to give you 5 lashes with some raw cucumber noodles for dissappearing lol!
    I love this post! Would love to learn more about it.
    BTW we printed out your book IN COLOR (thanks employer! wink!) and are putting it in protective sleeves today! So worth it! Thanks!

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  8. I looove your blog!...i'm an orthodox jewish housewife and I'm constantly looking for ideas for shabbos salads that are healthy and parve!!!

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  9. Thanks everyone for your kind words and kuddos. ;-)

    soleta,
    I hope it works out for you too. I would totally love to meditate with you; we ought to figure out a time that would be good for both of us!

    yardsnacker,
    Ouchie, ouchie! Careful what you wish for; looks like I'm paying the price right now, close to bedridden as I am! ;-)

    Oh my! In color eh? I'll have to stick with b&w myself as the local print shop charged me 1 buck a page for my first ebook! eek

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  10. looks yummy, thanks for all the raw love you share!
    debbie

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  11. I made my own version of this tonight with a couple substitutions. I was short a little on the sunflower seeds so I added a few almonds to make up the difference. I used red wine vinegar because that's what I had. And I used rosemary instead of dill because I thought rosemary's piney-ness would go nicely with the nuts and seeds. It was so delicious! I can't wait to taste it again tomorrow when everything has a chance to meld together a bit more! Thanks for the idea!

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  12. yum
    the dressings are really nice at vipassana, thank you for getting a recipe :-)
    I'm still on the prowl for another couple of my favourites from the course.
    If you have any more I would love to get my hands on them

    I already know that metta is the main ingredient in all their recipes :-)

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