The smell of grandma’s kitchen, the taste of childhood, and the cloud-like soft texture of a sweet taste with a hint of lemon and vanilla… It must be waffles – aka grandma’s biscuits in my home country of Serbia.
And now we gonna make them in a raw vegan version!
Before I share with you the ingredients for raw, vegan waffles, let us see why would anyone be even interested in eating a raw vegan diet.
Ingredients for 5 waffles:
- 250 g / 8.8 oz of young sweet corn kernels
- 25 g / 0.9 oz of dried apples
- 1 teaspoon dried celery (optional ingredient)
- 10 g / 0.4oz psyllium husk powder (not flakes, but powder)
- 5 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
- juice of half a lemon
The powerful folate (vitamin B1) in sweet corn
The key nutrient in corn that is beneficial for health is folate (vitamin B1).
Folate, a B-vitamin, plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including DNA synthesis and repair. It is particularly important for women during pregnancy as it supports fetal development. Folate also contributes to heart health by helping regulate homocysteine levels.
Additionally, corn contains other essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to a well-balanced diet.
The powerful pectin in apples
The key nutrient in apples that is beneficial for health is pectin.
Pectin is a soluble fibre that has various health benefits, including promoting digestive health, regulating blood sugar levels, and contributing to a feeling of fullness. It also plays a role in cholesterol management and has been associated with heart health.
Additionally, apples contain various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, supporting overall well-being.
Image by: Sokmean Nou @ Unsplash
The powerful apigenin in celery
The key nutrient in celery that is beneficial for health is apigenin.
Apigenin is a flavonoid, a type of plant compound with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help neutralise free radicals in the body, which can contribute to the prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation.
Some research suggests that apigenin may have anti-cancer properties, with studies indicating its potential to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death).
The powerful mucilage in psyllium husk powder
The key nutrient in psyllium husk powder that is beneficial for health is mucilage.
Psyllium husk is rich in soluble fibre, specifically mucilage, which absorbs water and forms a gel-like substance. This fibre promotes digestive health by easing constipation, supporting regular bowel movements, and aiding in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Additionally, psyllium husk can help lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar, making it a versatile and beneficial ingredient.
The powerful vanillin in vanilla
The key nutrient in vanilla that is beneficial for health is vanillin.
Vanillin is the key compound responsible for the irresistible flavour and aroma of vanilla. While not a nutrient in the traditional sense, vanillin possesses antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help combat oxidative stress in the body, potentially offering protective effects against cellular damage.
However, it’s important to note that the quantities of vanillin typically consumed through vanilla flavoring are small, so its impact on health may be limited compared to other antioxidant-rich foods. Enjoying vanilla in moderation as part of a varied diet can contribute to overall culinary pleasure.
Recipe for making a homemade, pure vanilla extract:
The powerful vitamic C in lemon
The key nutrient in celery that is beneficial for health is vitamin C.
Lemons are rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that supports the immune system, aids in collagen synthesis for skin health, and enhances the absorption of iron from plant-based foods.
Additionally, lemons provide citric acid, which may have alkalising effects in the body. Incorporating lemons into your diet can contribute to overall well-being and add refreshing flavour to meals and beverages.
Image by: Eggbank @ Unsplash
Ingredients for the jam:
- 100 g / 3.5 oz of fresh raspberries (you can also use frozen raspberries)
- 20 g / 1.8 oz of dried apples
- 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
Equipment:
- freezer and freezer bag
- knife and chopping board
- blender
- dehydrator
- waffle silicon mould
- cake decorator
What Are the Health Benefits of Preparing food in a Dehydrator vs. Oven?
A dehydrator is simply put an oven on a raw food diet. I like to call the dehydrator a 21st century oven.
Personally, I have no oven, stove or any kind of kitchen appliance for cooking food, since I chose to eat a raw food diet. In my stoveless kitchen, my trusty dehydrator takes on the main role to warm food while preserving its nutrients and freshness. All the methods I use to prepare raw, yet warm food are described in my e-book Raw, yet Warm.
Now, let we explore all the health-benefits of preparing food in a dehydrator vs. traditional oven:
- Preservation of Nutrients
Dehydrators operate at lower temperatures, preserving more nutrients in fruits, vegetables, and herbs compared to ovens.
Thus, by eating just warmed, yet still raw food, you get the full nutritional profile of the foods you eat which of course boosts your health level.
- Energy Efficiency
Dehydrators are designed for prolonged use, consuming less energy than ovens, making them cost-effective in the long run.
Saving money on daily activities such as food prep, goes a long way making your bank account happy.
- Even Drying
Dehydrators ensure uniform drying, preventing overcooking or unevenness commonly associated with ovens.
Unlike with oven, you get to make dry ingredients or just warm raw foods effortlessly with the use a dehydrator.
- Versatility
Dehydrators offer flexibility for various foods, accommodating intricate drying needs better than ovens.
With dehydrators, it is super easy to set the exact dehydrating temperature and time for various ingredients and purposes.
Elevate your culinary experience with a dehydrator – a health-conscious and efficient choice.
#DehydratorVsOven #NutrientPreservation #HealthyCooking
Preparation:
Clean 2 sweet corn cobs one day in advance, and put them in a freezer bag, and thus in the freezer for about 12 hours.
After 12 hours, take the frozen corn cobs out of the freezer and out of the bag.
Leave the corn cobs to thaw, the first hour in the refrigerator, and then at room temperature.
Freezing and thawing softens the corn kernels.
Blend the dried apples first.
Then, add corn kernels to the blended dried apples and blend these two ingredients together.
If desired, you can add a salty ingredient – that is, dried celery.
Do not blend immediately, but first…
Juice a half of a lemon into one cup.
And add five teaspoons of pure vanilla extract to the lemon juice.
Add the lemon and vanilla extract together to the blender jug.
Blend all these ingredients together.
At the very end, add psyllium powder and blend it very briefly with the other ingredients.
This way, you will get the perfect waffle dough.
Fill your waffle silicon mould with this dough.
Place the filled mould in the dehydrator, and dehydrate the waffles at 46 degrees C for about 12 hours.
Make the jam by first blending the dried apples alone in a blender.
Add the raspberries to the blender jug.
Blend the dried apples and raspberries together.
Transfer the jam into the cake decorator, then decorate the waffles with the jam.
I hope that these raw vegan waffles will bring you back to some beautiful moments from your childhood and that you will be happily enjoying these delicious and healthy waffles!
Did you like this raw vegan recipe for irresistible waffles? If you did, I trust you will LOVE a whole set of similar recipes having on hand for creating healthy raw vegan culinary magic in your kitchen.
Let me present to you the Raw Vegan Culinary Set
Please let me know in the comments down below, how do you like this raw vegan version of the everyone-favourites waffles.
Keep glowing,
Marina
Marina from Health Glows
As a certified raw vegan diet and healthy lifestyle coach, Marina helps her clients and followers to transition to a raw vegan diet in a proven and sustainable way, along with incorporating an exercise program for staying fit long term, in order to get rid of health problems and build a high level of health.