Raw Strawberry Chocolate Cheesecake.

We have the special tradition in Ukraine. We usually celebrate Angel Day.

Angel Day is the day of your name. Every name has its own day celebration. It means your Angel is always behind your back and protect you all the time.

My daughter’s Angel Day was 2 days ago and I decided to make a little treat for her.

Strawberries are still her favorite berries, and they don’t taste as good as the ones in June, but I found some organic strawberries at the grocery store and made this delicious raw nut-free, dairy-free cheesecake.

The cheesecake turned out very delicious, and this way we celebrated our little family tradition.

Raw Strawberry Chocolate Cheesecake.

Crust

• 10 dates, soaked until soft
• 1 1/2 cups dried unsweetened coconut
• 1/4 cup raw cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, softened

1. Place all ingredients in food processor and pulse until well combined.

2. Pat firmly into the form.

Filling

• 3 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
• 3/4cup coconut water
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup coconut syrup or liquid sweetener of choice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 cups diced strawberries
• Chocolate Ganache (1 tablespoon of coconut oil mixed with one teaspoon of raw cocoa)

1. Place shredded coconut, coconut water, coconut oil, coconut syrup and vanilla in high-speed blender. Blend until smooth. ( I used Vitamix)

2. By hand, stir in the strawberries.

3. Pour filling over crust, top with optional coconut and ganache. Chill for 6-8 hours or overnight.

4. Keep it in the refrigerator.

Rosemary Cauliflower “Mashed Potatoes”.

Potatoes are very popular in Ukraine. I remember from my childhood, we ate potatoes almost every day. My favorite dish was mashed potatoes with piece of chicken. I could eat mashed potatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To tell you the truth, I still love it, but don’t cook it very often.

Because it is not recommended to mix the starchy vegetables with the animal protein, I kept looking for some recipe that will work and taste as good as my favorite dish from the past.

When I found Cauliflower ” mashed potatoes” idea, I wasn’t sure if it tastes good. It might taste good as a cauliflower, but not as good as mashed potatoes.

Anyway, I got the huge head of cauliflower and tried to cook it at home.

This cauliflower-based version is the same texture to enjoy as mashed potato, but sans the butter, whole milk and table salt that make mashed potatoes a beauty-busting food.

It turned out so delicious for me, and tasted like REAL mashed potato. My husband still doesn’t know, how I made it, because he called it mashed potatoes:)

Rosemary Cauliflower “Mashed Potatoes”

1 head cauliflower, broken into florets, stem and leaves removed

1 small garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup almond or coconut milk

1tbs olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Sea salt, to taste

1tsp. dried rosemary

Bring water to a boil and steam cauliflower in a steamer for about 6-7 minutes, until softens.

Put the cauliflower florets in a food processor with the blade in place. Add garlic, almond milk, olive oil, black pepper, sea salt and rosemary. Pulse long enough to achieve the desired consistency.

Adjust seasonings to taste.

I served it with baked salmon and fresh veggies salad.