In the Raw: Not-Tuna Pate with Pesto

There are some incredibly creative raw recipes out there.

You can make pasta from zucchini, cheesecake from nuts and dates, & taco meat from walnuts (for real!)

And it’s not just for show. This stuff actually tastes amazing.

Take, for instance, my dinner last night: Not-Tuna Pate with homegrown tomato slices topped with fresh pesto.

My husband loved it too. Not that his palate is hard to please. He’s a guy–if it’s edible, he loves it. But even this fancy-schmancy presentation didn’t turn him away. (It is pretty, don’t you think? I was excited about it. But then again, I’m easily amused…)

1. Preserve all the enzymes in your living food (heat destroys enzymes)
2. Save time in the kitchen
3. Keep the house cool in the summer with the oven/stove turned off
4. Eat more vegetables, fruits, and healthy nuts & seeds
5. Raw food gives you more energy
6. Your skin will have a glow about it
7. Digestion (and bowel movements) will be improved

If you’re new to the “going raw” trend, it’s one that I would encourage you to look into. I don’t know about you, but I get tired of eating the same old salad everyday because I know I need to eat more vegetables. Plus, it’s good to get out of a cooking rut!

Here are some websites that I’ve found helpful when searching for new raw food ideas:

Gone Raw-this is a great blog full of user-submitted raw recipes, forums and news about raw, vegan & vegetarian fare.

Raw Food Made Easy-I watched one of Jenny Cornbleet’s Raw Food DVDs before I came across her site. She explains everything and makes it super easy.

We Like it Raw-This blog’s recipe section features super slick pictures (which are a necessity for recipes in my mind).

And to get you started, here’s the recipe for my Not-Tuna Pate with Pesto:

Not Tuna Pate with Pesto

Ingredients:

Throw the sunflower seeds, almonds, water, lemon juice and sea salt into a food processor or blender (a Vitamix if you have one). Blend to a paste. Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until combined.

It looks like Tuna Salad, but it’s not (obviously).

Ok, now it’s your turn!! Where do you find your raw recipes? What is your favorite one?