Chef Kirsten Gum visits OTO Farmers Market!

On April 15th, I woke up early and walked a few blocks to the Old Towne Orange Farmers & Artisan Market so I could catch a chef demonstration by raw foods chef, Kirsten Gum, get some fresh produce and enjoy a sunny Saturday morning. I'm so glad I was able to have the opportunity to meet Kirsten Gum and see what she does best!

Kirsten Gum is a Travel Channel TV personality who specializes in perfecting raw food recipes. She also has a passion for traveling the world and helping others find their way to a green, sustainable way of life. What a life, huh? She currently resides in Venice Beach, CA and South America. She was so much fun to watch because her passion is evident and lets be honest...I love my meat, cheese, butter, white sugar, eggs, and everything that she DOESN'T use. I have to admit, I was a tinsy bit skeptical about how her food would taste...but...it was delicious, and healthy, and fresh, and probably how food should be, right?

Lemony Zucchini Bisque

Ingredients List:

5 cups zucchini, peeled and chopped

1 cup water

½ cup lemon juice

½ cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 TBS garlic powder

1 TBS onion powder

1 TBS agave or honey

1 TBS salt

½ tsp. cumin

Instructions:

Put all the ingredients, except fennel, in a blender and blend until perfectly smooth.

To serve, garnish each serving of soup with a little shaved fennel. Soup may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days!

Zucchini is a very hydrating vegetable. It is even more nutritious to leave the skin on, although it will change the color to more of a green soup. Try alternatives of this soup by trading fennel for cilantro, parsley or basil.

*Recipe taken from Experience Raw

Raw Cacoa Chocolate Pudding 

Ingredients List:

1/2 cup or 8 medjool dates, pitted and soaked for 30 minutes

1/2 cup agave nectar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup mashed avocado

3/4 cup raw cacao powder

1/2 cup filtered water

Instructions:

Add the ingredients into a food processor and process until smooth, serve alone or with berries, bananas etc. A little is all you need and it is totally good for you.

Serve in a martini glass layered with fruit....or with the Raspberry Coulis

The avocado is the secret ingredient, it is rich and the fat carries the flavor. Enduldge yourself for a truly euphoric experience.  Get that chocolate fix….but stay healthy or better yet…boosting your health!!

Infuse this dish with your favorite essential oil.  Recommended oils, peppermint, orange, Christmas spirit, ocateo, thieves….

**Recipe taken from Experience Raw

Something that Chef Kirsten kept on reminding us throughout the demo was that our taste buds were the best tools throughout cooking. The measurements are suggestions but continually taste the food as you make it and add little bits here and there to make it perfect for YOU! I, however, practically go into super panic mode when I don't have exact measurements (it's the baker in me! I can't help it!) but I am going to take Chef Kirsten's wise advice...one day.

Give the recipes a whirl...you won't be disappointed. They are delicious and you can impress your friends by saying that it is all RAW ingredients. What nature intended us to have :) ok, nature I think intended us to have meat also so maybe slap some burgers on the grill to go along side. 


Make sure you check out Chef Kirsten Gum's Facebook page!

Oh yeah...I was at the Farmers Market, remember? Here are a few shots of the market that day.  

Buon Appetíto!

Lisa