Alive Classes and Soulstice Party

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone

 

I took a wonderful food preparation class at Alive yesterday.

 

I very much liked the theme of the class as being "sustainable Raw Cuisine", in so far as to make use of all that we use in the kitchen, to create new dishes.

i.e Use veggies pulps from juices to make something new and nourishing.

 

The Class was conducted by Executive Chef/Owner, Leland Jung.

 

I could sense there was a lot of thought that went into creating this class. Even the class handout was printed on heavy duty high quality paper. Everything in this restaurant speaks volumes about being mindful in their choices and being of the highest quality. And - Leland is so helpful in sharing so much of what he knows.

 

We learned and tasted the following:

 

Carrot Juice

Carrot Crackers

Cumin Carrot Pate (Fantastic)

Marinara Sauce - wow!

Mini Pizza (different than any I have tasted, and a new favorite, bursting with freshness. A real winner!)

Sunflower Seed Pate

Sunflower Seed Flax Crackers

Apple pie with Almond Cream (Yummmm)

 

It was wonderful to learn new recipes, and see that for each item, there are variations of dishes we can prepare with it. It was analogous to a piece of garment that gets a new "face" with a new wardrobe combination. ... Just as "I did not know I could use this scarf so many ways," I did not realize I could use the leftover pulp in so many ways! What a great concept!

 

And if some of these "names of foods" sound familiar - make no mistake: In the hands of Master Chef Leland - it all had a "new and delicious twist" from the ordinary. Nothing tasted of felt like "a leftover." It all was Alive with new flavors and freshness.

 

I especially liked the idea of using the pulp from veggies juices in the same meal, as that means, we had the whole food (both juice and fiber in the same meal). And I loved seeing and tasting the effect of different fresh herbs in the recipes

 

The food was delicious, the samples we got to taste were beautifully presented and very generous portions!

 

After the class we stayed for dinner and had the following:

 

King Trumpet Mushroom Salad with fresh greens ($12)

 

Thai Red Curry with green beans ($10)

 

And - More apple pie, we loved it so much.

 

All was fresh and delicious!

 

Leland does not cut corners when it comes to quality and freshness, and everything we tasted was a testament to this fact. Leland makes a point in creating seasonal dishes from the best quality organic produce he can find. Alive is such an fitting name for this establishment.

 

Some of the people in the class, including my friend, are not "raw foodists" and this was such a fantastic introduction for them to raw foods and the real vibrancy that is available to us in our foods.

 

Please remember that there is a Soulstice party planned for this Sunday Dec. 21st.

 

For more details, please visit their website

 

http://www.aliveveg gie.com/

 

And do remember to also stop by for breakfast and/or lunch (new for them).

 

I feel like all the cells of my body are bursting with "aliveness."

 

Thank you to Leland.

 

We are so lucky to have Alive here in the city!

 

Iris

 

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There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves, that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet.