One of the best things about raw, plant-based dishes is their versatility. Not only can you easily add your favorite fruits, veggies and spices to any recipe to satisfy your personal tastes, but you can also prepare that same delicious plate for either lunch or dinner (and even as a snack or a side!). The Gado Gado Salad is the epitome of this: You can virtually eat it any time, any way and keep yourself satiated for hours on end! Read on to learn about how Chef Rich, our culinary mastermind, came to create this marvelous salad, then get straight to the recipe for yet another flavorful and nutritional boost to your recipe book!
Q: What is Gado Gado and how did you come about creating this (seriously) delicious dish?
My cousin Brett took me to an Indonesian restaurant down in Florida a couple of years ago and they served a dish called Gado Gado. It was basically a plate with lots of different veggies all in their own piles—some cooked, some raw—along with some crispy barbecued tempeh. On the side was this delicious peanut dressing that was a little sweet and a little spicy. This is pretty much my idea of a perfect meal!
I wanted to put my own spin on it and make a Hallelujah-friendly version (peanut-free and mostly raw). When I made the dressing with almonds instead of peanuts, it came out great, but the salad still needed something crunchy to put it over the edge. I thought a sweet, smoky, slightly spicy cashew might work, and it ended up being just the thing. My version of a Gado Gado is super simple but packs a ton of flavor, and it’s a fantastic way to get a good variety of raw veggies in one meal.
If you’re looking for a quick snack or party appetizers, look no further than the zesty, crunchy chili-lime flax cracker! Made with flax, these tiny edibles are jam-packed with nutrition, notably omega-3 fatty acids, protective lignans and both insoluble and soluble fiber, all of which are known to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, inflammation and even hot flashes! This is one snack your body will relish!
It’s National Apple Month! Filled with antioxidants and fiber, apples are our cancer-fighting, immune-boosting, heart-healthy allies. Now that it’s fall, you can get your hands on more seasonal varieties, such as the sweet and crunchy Honeycrisp, or stick with the classics like the almighty Granny Smith apple. Try adding a few slices to this week’s recipe or make apple the star! Are you looking to add more nutrition to your smoothie? Try our new great tasting Hallelujah Diet Organic Advanced Superfood available in plain or berry flavor.
