Raw vanilla mint squares
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup cashews
1 1/4 cup dates
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 tiny pinch sea salt (half the size of a normal pinch!)
35 fresh mint leaves
Directions
1. Place sunflower seeds in food processor. Process into a fine meal, might be slightly grainy.
2. Add cashews and continue to process into a fine meal.
3. Add dates a few at a time and continue processing until the dates are well processed and the mixture resembles a coarse cookie dough. You should barely be able to recognize the dates or seeds/nuts, everything should look small and crumbly.
4. Add the vanilla, fresh mint and a tiny pinch of salt. Process again until mint is well distributed and fine. It should still resemble slightly crumbly cookie dough and the mixture should stick together when you pinch it between your fingers.
5. Dump mixture into a square glass pan or a pie plate or brownie dish.
6. With clean hands. press mixture down into pan so that mixture will stick together and will resemble brownies or squares. You should be able to cut this with a knife and they stick together very nicely. Eat right away and store leftovers in refrigerator.
The Rawtarian's Thoughts
These raw vanilla mint squares are super quick to prepare and clean up after. The one downer is that you need fresh mint, which you may not have. You could try adding some peppermint extract if you want, but do not use dried mint. Ideally, just wait until you have fresh mint and can make it properly.
I am a very busy person and I don't garden at all. However, the one thing that I must insist that everyone have in their garden (if you have a yard) is mint. You just have to plant it once and it comes back year after year. It grows like a weed--it's crazy. So be careful because it's "invasive" and it'll take over your garden. Another major benefit of mint is that it grows so fast that you don't have to "hoard" it or feel like you're "wasting" it when you use it.
My raw brownie recipe is very popular because it's so easy, and these raw vanilla mint squares are very similar in terms of the preparation process and final texture.
I like to serve these with fresh or frozen-then-thawed berries, sort of like a mint berry crumble. You could also cut them into squares and then dehydrate for a crunchier texture on the outside; however, dehydrating is totally not necessary.
Images
Comments
Emma (Emma+Jacob)
Aug 19, 2011
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I am sooo in love with your blog! Quick question though - dates are not really available where I am. What would be good substitutes?
Thanks!
The Rawtarian
Aug 20, 2011
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What, no dates?? That must be difficult! Are you sure they aren't available??
The thing about dates is that they are a natural sweetener. Instead of dates you could use dried apricots (for the texture) but you'll need to add some more of your fav. sweetener to make up for the sweetness from the dates, so you could try 1 tablespoon or so of agave nectar or honey or your favourite sweetener, such as a small amount of stevia.
Good luck!
Alana
Aug 22, 2011
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i just made these yesterday. thank you for another yummy dish! they taste excellent with cashew cream
The Rawtarian
Aug 23, 2011
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Glad you like :)
Treesa
Aug 22, 2011
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I'll be making these for my hubby tomorrow! I'm guessing in advance that he will love them. I'll have to resist the temptation until I finish my cleanse. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us!
The Rawtarian
Aug 23, 2011
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I hope they work out well for you and that your hubby likes!
Sherri
Aug 24, 2011
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I made these tonight and put a raw chocolate ganache on top. Yummy!!
Thanks so much for the recipe and your blog. Mint can be frozen quite nicely (put leaves in bag and toss in freezer) so I can make this dish year round. :)
The Rawtarian
Aug 25, 2011
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Wow, why didn't I think of freezing mint???!!! I have tons in my garden right now.
Glad you liked the squares.
Mmm chocolate ganache... Recipe please??
Sherri
Aug 25, 2011
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Loved the squares! Here is the chocolate ganache recipe that I use from the book Raw for Dessert. Simple and yummy. 3/4 cup dark agave or maple syrup, 3/4 cup raw cocoa powder (I use baking cocoa), 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1/3 cup melted coconut oil, 1/8 teaspoon plus pinch sea salt. Put all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Ton of uses for this recipe.
I'm going to be freezing my mint too. For mints (there are a gazillion varieties), check Asian grocery stores as they carry it for cheap!
The Rawtarian
Aug 25, 2011
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Mmmm I think the best use for this recipe would be eating it with a spoon on the couch in front of a sad movie :)
Thanks for posting the recipe, Sherri, sounds super yummy and sweet and delish.
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