Soup Recipe

Raw Coconut, Carrot & Ginger Soup 

I've been hearing the buzz surrounding raw food for years now but the whole concept never really appealed to me. It all seemed to "fringe element-ish" and, to be frank, not very tasty and certainly not very filling or satisfying. Every misconception I had about raw food completely changed last summer on a trip to NYC with my good friend Cherie Fromson.

After a long first day we were ready to hit the town and find a great spot for dinner. I ran right down to the concierge to get a suggestion for a hip and healthy restaurant. The guy behind the desk couldn't stop raving about a raw food restaurant. He didn't exactly look like a raw food enthusiast himself (he looked like the sort of guy who could go for a burger and beer at any given moment) but he assured me even people who don't like vegan food rave about this restaurant, including him. Sold!

I enthusiastically dashed back to the hotel room to tell Cherie all about the exciting raw restaurant our burger-loving concierge had recommended. I could immediately tell Cherie was less than enthused. She was just barely getting in the groove eating the "whole foods" I talk about in our books, and now this whole raw thing just seemed a bit too extreme. We were planning on meeting another friend for dinner and she too was highly suspicious of the raw restaurant. Not to worry, I was highly confident that if the beer and burger loving concierge loved this place we would too!

By the time we made it to the restaurant we were all starving and even I was beginning to get a little nervous that maybe we'd only find sprouts and salad on the menu. When we walked in the door I was consoled by how "normal" the whole place looked...it had a very hip and trendy look, not at all like the sort of place that would try to get away serving you a salad-only meal. The menu was just amazing! The food was even better. It was gourmet all the way.

By the time we finished a three course meal (including a decadent dessert) and felt totally satisfied but not at all stuffed, I was so sold on eating raw foods that I could barely contain my enthusiasm..

So, until I can get back to NYC and visit Pure Food & Wine, the recipe below is my "fast food" fix for a gourmet tasting raw food soup that is satisfying, energizing and fabulously nutritious. My soup is a convenient and super tasty way to introduce raw foods to your diet...without going to extremes & without trekking to NYC! Enjoy

Ingredients

1/4-inch piece ginger root (no need to peel)
1 orange bell pepper
4 carrots
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup raw cashews
1 cup mango
1 cup water
1 teaspoon raw honey
2 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil (such as Barlean's)
Sea salt (such as Costco's Kirkland brand), to taste
Raw, unsweetened, unsulphered shredded coconut, for garnish

1. Place all ingredients in a high speed blender or food processor. Process until smooth and creamy. Place soup in a covered container and chill for several hours before serving. Sprinkle shredded coconut on top just before serving. Serve cold.