The Avocado Queen Welcomes You

This blog is mostly about raw vegetarian/vegan recipes, many of which incorporate avocados. Since I became a raw/live food vegan several years ago, avocados became an important part of my diet. I'd even say that they are my favorite food, and as it turns out, they are also considered one of the world's healthiest foods. While my primary purpose here is to showcase avocados and how awesome they are, I will also share some recipes that are just plain good raw/live food as well as vegan food.

Most recipes are accompanied by a meditation or reflection - posting as "food for thought."

Wishing you peace, love, joy, and blessings wherever you are in your journey towards health...

All recipes of the Avocado Queen are original creations. In some cases, variations on other recipes have been made and credit of that original source has been given.

All content on this blog is strictly the property of the owner or has been used with permission. If you see a recipe or photo that you like, please contact the owner for permission to share it...more than likely, your request will be honored as long as you agree to give credit to the original source.

1.17.2011

Recipe for Thanksgiving - Chocolate Pecan Pie

Most of us know that thanksgiving is not about a holiday that comes once a year.  Rather it is about a way of being - showing gratitude and being grateful.  When we are authentically grateful (full of gratitude), we start to see that there are so many blessings in our lives, so much for which we can give thanks.  


When we give, there is so much more that we can receive.  It is important to pause and give thanks daily.  By giving thanks for family, friends, good health, and the food that nourishes our bodies, we are acknowledging the blessings we have received each day.  


In that moment, when we pause, recall our blessings, and offer thanksgiving, we are doing something truly divine.  In that moment, we are no longer bound by guilt, blame, shame, and stress; rather we are freed by recognizing that there is something in the world so much greater than our own egocentric selfishness.  To offer thanksgiving really is a selfless act, for it is an act of giving to others and giving to God.
photograph by Jon-Erik Lido

Recipe for Thanksgiving - Chocolate Pecan Pie

The filling - combine in a Vita-Mix or powerful blender:

  • 1 1/4 large avocados (or 1 1/2 - 2 small ones)
  • 2-3 TB raw honey (or agave or grade B maple syrup) - more/less to taste
  • 1/2 cup soaked raisins (reserve the water)
  • 4-5 soaked dates (reserve the water)
  • 2 cups raw pecans (preferably soaked for 8-12 hours)
  • 2/3 cup raw chocolate powder
  • pinch of sea salt
  • optional: 1/8 inch of vanilla bean
  • additional filtered water if needed for blending

The crust - combine in a food processor until a crumbly consistency has been reached:

  • 1 cup raw pecans (preferably soaked and dehydrated)
  • 1 cup raw walnuts (preferably soaked and dehydrated)
  • 7-8 dates
  • pinch of sea salt
  • optional: 3 TB (or more) raw cacao nibs 

Final step: Press the crust into a pie plate then pour in the filling.  Garnish with pecans.

This is a dessert that is truly good for you.  Pecans are a wonderful source of vitamin E and antioxidants.  Read more about their nutritional value by clicking here.  Both chocolate and pecans are foods that nourish the cardiovascular system and may assist in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. 


In preparing and eating this delicious dessert, consider your blessings and offer thanksgiving.  Share this divine treat with your family and friends.  When we give, there is so much more for us to receive.


What to do with the leftover avocado?  If you decide to store it for later, keep in the pit and enclose it in the skin, then wrap with plastic wrap.  I suggest using it to make a salsa, guacamole, or salad.  Perhaps use it to make a smoothie with fresh orange juice, banana, and berries.

6 comments:

  1. I can't wait to try this Melissa :) Thank you for sharing your love of nourishing food!

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  2. How long to you soak and dehydrate the nuts for the crust????

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  3. Oh, it's so good! It might be my favorite raw vegan dessert. It's definitely in the top 3!

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  4. Great question about soaking/dehydrating! I generally soak walnuts, pecans, and almonds for at least 6 hours and usually no more than 8. Often I dehydrate them overnight at about 110 degrees; I imagine it probably takes 10+ hours for the nuts to dry. (I don't think you over-dry them.)

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  5. I just love stumbling across great recipes of things that I can eat and appreciate that someone has figured out how to make. Awesome pie recipe, thanks so much.

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  6. Looks very yummy
    http://www.veganrawfood.net

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