Ani's Raw Food Essentials (72 page)

Inspired by cookbooks that make 101 cookies starting from just one base recipe, I decided to also start from one base recipe created using just four ingredients. From there, you can add whatever you happen to have on hand in your pantry, to create endless combinations of cookie flavors.

MAKES ABOUT 16 COOKIES

 

Almond meal is sweetened with your choice of syrup and a pinch of salt. Add fillings and flavorings to make a variety of cookies. It doesn't get much easier than this.

2½ cups almond meal
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup agave, maple, or rice syrup
¼ cup filtered water
1½ to 2 cups of your favorite fillings, such as dried fruit, cacao nibs,
chocolate chips, or chopped nuts

Mix the almond meal with the salt. Add the syrup and water; mix well. Add your favorite flavorings and fillings.

 

Use a 2-tablespoon scooper to portion the dough directly onto the mesh screen of your 14-inch-square Excalibur Dehydrator trays. Dehydrate at 104°F for 4 to 6 hours, or to your desired consistency.

 

NOTE:
You can buy finely ground almond meal. To make your own, just process almonds into a powder in your food processor or grinder.

MAKES ABOUT 18 COOKIES

 

Splashes of beautiful red goji berries and dark chocolate chips make these my all-time favorite cookies. I like to use organic dark chocolate chips, which are hard to find sugar-free. I figure in this one instance, the joy these cookies bring me offsets any negative effects of a tiny bit of sugar. For a completely raw and sugar-free cookie, use cacao nibs instead.

1 recipe Basic Cookie Dough (page 284)
1 cup goji berries
½ to 1 cup dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs

Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.

 

Use a 2-tablespoon scooper to portion the dough directly onto the mesh screen of your 14-inch-square Excalibur Dehydrator trays.

 

Dehydrate at 104°F for 4 to 6 hours, or to your desired consistency.

 

Will keep in the fridge for one week. Will keep in the freezer for several weeks; thaw for 10 minutes before eating.

MAKES ABOUT 18 COOKIES

 

Delicious orange and chocolate combine with tangy cranberries for a powerful antioxidant blast. These cookies fight age acceleration and free-radical damage.

1 recipe Basic Cookie Dough (page 284)
1 tablespoon orange zest, or ½ teaspoon alcohol-free orange extract
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup semisweet dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs

Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.

 

Use a 2-tablespoon scooper to portion the dough directly onto the mesh screen of your 14-inch-square Excalibur Dehydrator trays.

 

Dehydrate at 104°F for 4 to 6 hours, or to your desired consistency.

 

Will keep in the fridge for one week. Will keep in the freezer for several weeks; thaw for 10 minutes before eating.