Recently, the lovely folks at Da Capo publishers sent me a copy of my friend Ani Phyo’s beautiful new cookbook, Ani’s Raw Food Essentials:
I was — I am — thrilled! Ani is a hero of mine, both as a chef and as a champion of green living. Her first book, Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen, was the first raw cookbook I ever purchased, and so I owe her a huge debt of gratitude for introducing me to a lifestyle that stuck around. Ani, thank you — I think it’s safe to say that your little book had a big impact 
I’ve already bookmarked a ton of soups, salads, drinks, and snacks from the new book, and I’m sure that they’ll all be making appearances here at CR over the course of future weeks and months. But my first selection was, not surprisingly, a very simple one. This is Ani’s Vietnamese salad with fresh mint, and it’s heavenly:
Carrots, napa cabbage, cilantro, basil, mint, and chopped almonds, dressed in a simple agave/lime juice marinade. I added a touch of sesame oil, which complemented the dish really nicely.
In keeping with the Vietnamese lunch theme, I decided to add my own touch to the meal in the form of a creamy avocado and fresh mint shake. I’d seen a recipe for a Vietnamese avocado shake somewhere before–I really can’t remember the website–and it seemed right up my avocado-loving alley. This is my rendition. The fresh mint made it really perfect for another sweltering afternoon.
Avocado Mint Shake (serves 1)
1/2 avocado
1 cup plain almond milk
1/4 cup mint, fresh
5 ice cubes
Stevia or agave to taste
Blend all ingredients on high till smooth and creamy. Adjust the thickness with more ice and/or almond milk, if needed.
The color looks a little funky in my photos–my new camera seems to like turning all beverages orange–but I assure you it was a pleasure to gaze upon in person. And to eat.
If this salad is any indication of what lies ahead in Ani’s book, I have a feeling it’ll be a new Choosing Raw kitchen classic. And I’m already looking forward to having this shake again!
Before I go, I thank you all for the amazing and thoughtful comments on my post on healthy weight gain on a vegan diet. As usual, it was a stellar discussion, and I am grateful! Note that I got a comment suggesting 2-3 day fasts for lowering metabolism (thus making weight gain easier), which I promptly disagreed with. That is a temporary method at best, and it offers up its own sets of dangers and psychological risks. If you’re very underweight and trying to gain, fasting is not the answer. Nourishment with real foods is.
And finally, my raw, vegan tuna salad got some love last night in the OSG household. Check out Ange’s lovely rendition!
xo
I'm a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, a former book editor, and a post-baccalaureate pre-med student at Georgetown University. I'm passionate about helping people to discover and enjoy plant based foods in a simple and healthy way. My name is pronounced like "Jenna." 
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
you got my attention, that’s for sure! that sounds like a really great dessert option too for the summer…mint is always perfect for that!
That looks delicious!! I am loving that book! Just posted some recipes from it on my blog..of course..because that’s how we roll! LOL!
That looks and sounds delicious! I have put her book on my Amazon wish list
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I think I would love that shake. I love adding avocado to mine and even buy the frozen (for an arm and a leg) at TJs for winter when I can’t get them here. That sounds delicious!
Mmmm I never would have thought to mix avocado and mint, it looks so refreshing! Love Ani Phyo, definitely need her new book!
That looks soooo refreshing!!! I love the avocado bubble teas from Chinatown, though goodness knows theirs probably contain some type of artificial sweetener so I’m guessing yours is much more up my alley
I love avocado but I’ve never thought to actually drink them! Great idea.
I have heard so much about Ani Phyo, just the fact she is so beautiful and serene on the cover of her book makes me want to buy it!
Ani’s little pink book of Raw Desserts was the first raw (dessert) cookbook I ever bought! I am loving!!! her new book (and I may, ahem, even be starting a fun little something-something for it later on today…) anyway though I love the newest book, and her other two that I own too. Her simplicity, non-fussy, non-exotic ingredient lists, well, I could go on and on why I love the book, but I do! So happy you’re enjoying yours! Have a great weekend, Gena
Looks delicious! And I’d love to experiment with other flavors, too.
I love Ani Phyo’s recipes–her combinations of ingredients are always so innovative. That shake sounds pretty perfect right now–I’m all sweaty and gross from my workout:)
how funny! I was thinking about my afternoon snack and knew i wanted to use my almond milk but i dont have berries or cacao. i guess i just found my shake!
I’ve been lovin’ Ani’s new book! The shake looks delish (and I happen to have a bunch of left-over mint)
Awesome post the other day- I read that comment and I was like oh nooooo I hope she says something. Glad you did!
Gena, everything looks AMAZING! The shake looks so delish. These dishes you have shared makes me want to get immediately purchase Ani’s book.
Take care!
-Evelyn
Such a simple shake…for once I have everything to make a recipe right in my fridge!
I LOVE Ani! Her approach is how everyone should approach health, in my opinion. So non-dogmatic and simple.
I love avocados in smoothies!! So creamy, rich, and easily adapted. I’ve only ever had fresh mint in my smoothie at Cafe Gratitude and it was soo good! I can’t believe I haven’t done it since. Speaking of CG, you MUST go there on your visit to SF, but I’m sure you already thought of that.
I’m planning a weekend trip to SF Labor Day as well!! I can’t wait! Such an awesome city.
I LOVE this book! I got to interview Ani about it for my newspaper internship. She is sooo nice, and we’re planning to meet up when I get back to LA.
I love how she explains -why- some things work a certain way in a dish. It’s good for when you need to substitute.
And it doesn’t hurt her recipes are delish, but you’re giving her a run for her money with that shake! It would never occur to me to combine mint and avocado. YUM!
Omg, the avocado mint shake looks delicious!
I really like your blog and recipes, need to comment more!
I will check out that book, sounds interesting.
Gena, I have a question about soaking nuts. I have a recipe for raw broccoli soup that I love and asks for 1/2 cup soaked almonds. The couple times I made I bought raw almonds and soaked them. This time hubby went to the store and I asked him to bring some almonds, I forgot to mention the “raw” part and ended up with roasted almonds. I was going to soak the almonds tonight to make the soup tomorrow for lunch. Can I soak roasted almonds? Or should I just use them roasted without soaking in the soup?
I actually love roasted almonds, I only use the raw when soaked for this broccoli soup and a few other recipes, I really prefer the taste of roasted almonds over raw (I find them much more strong flavored raw as opposed to a delicious nutty flavor roasted).
Thanks for the help!
Ana
Mmm that shake looks downright decadent. Thanks for the review!
Yum! My favorite smoothie this week was frozen banana, cocoa powder, spearmint leaves, hemp protein, and of course ice. Mint is wonderful in the heat.
The salad and the shake look fantastic. I’ve read through some of Ani’s books at the store (too broke to buy any right now) and I really enjoy her approach to better living.
Love this book! It is one of the most comprehensive in the raw scene. And has fermenting in it!
oh you got my attention with the avo-mint shake AND i have all those ingredients right now anyway. TOTALLY making this ASAP! it’s like the raw vegan version of McD’s shamrock shake!! nom nom nom
*edited to add: i just wanted to let you know that i’m not even vegan but i continue to make many of the recipes you post and every time am beyond satisfied! i’m a lover of healthful, real foods. i eat everything except grains and dairy (these have given me quite a bit of GI distress). the raw vegan recipes bring some variety to my boring meat and potatoes-esque rustic cookery. thank you!
I’ve been meaning to put avocado into a shake for quite some time now, but it’s just never happened. Seems like genius, though, if you ask me!
We make avocado mint puddings all the time!! Love them!
Ani was one of the first cookbooks we got too!!
Just made both of these- and they are both delicious! The shake is so creamy with the avocado!