“Meat-less Kabobs?!!”  Billie bob hollered

“I can’t NOT eat meat at a friggen’ BBQ!” I hear many of my clients squeal.

Yep, turn off those expensive grills, and get out your cutting boards! A great tasting kabob is all in the sauce!

I think we are all adults here, so I think it’s safe to say I won’t hurt anyone’s feelers by telling you exactly how it is and what our food choices have become. Just because someone did the dirty work for you, by conveniently wrapping the meat, or slid it between two slices of bun, meat is still murder folks.

The sooner we all figure that out and move onto “greener pastures” the better. There is something we can do for our health, the planet and for the animals and that is stop relying on other animals for food and start grazing! This may include giving up what we have been taught by our families, the meat industry and even what our own minds conger up about nutrition.

Meat is laden with harmful chemicals, and cooking it out doesn’t do the trick.  Chemicals are injected into the animals to yield “more meat” at the expense of our health. Whatever the animals are fed, we ingest including the living conditions and the emotions of the animal at the time of death.

A meat based diet puts a strain on the planet and out water supply due to factory farming.

What use to be as American as apple pie, the consumption of burgers, steaks and chicken’s legs are widening our butts, and killing us off by clogging our veins and intestine.  No thanks.

Today we can enjoy a cruelty-free BBQ that everyone will enjoy. The flavors are there, the nutrition is there, all you need is a few family of friends on your side!

Let me ask you this: Are you going to let some BBQ event  or the rut and disinformation of the same ol’ same ol’ tell you how you’re going to love yourself, respect creatures and the planet today? I think not. Now toss out that belching Budweiser and that nasty chicken leg and get your but in the pool!

Pine apple Cilantro Kabobs with BBQ sauce  (animal free!)Veggies and fruits needed for kabobs3 cups  zucchinis chopped into  half moons2 cups red and yellow bell peppers cut into chunks2 c button mushrooms halved or left whole (depending on size)1 c shiitake mushrooms cut into thin slices or gnarly chunks1 pint cherry tomatoes½ pineapple cored and chopped. Skin removed 

Marinade:1 ½ c fresh pineapple chopped½ c fresh lime juice½ c olive oil2 TB ginger grated2 garlic cloves3 TB wheat free tamari sauce (add more if necessary)4 Majool dates pitted and soaked in hot water until gooey. Carefully blend all ingredients until smooth.Lastly, pulse in 1 c fresh cilantro. Blend till chunky and broke apart.Assembly:Place all veggies and fruits on wooden kabob sticks, varied in color and shape. Place all sticks into lasagna pan. Pour marinade over kabobs. Using a brush, lightly brush sauce over veggies closer to the top. Place pan in dehydrator at 115 for no less than 2 hours. The longer this mixture sets, the better and the more juicy. Every 20 minutes brush the veggies with the marinade and rotate kabobs.BBQ sauce2 cups dehydrated sun-dried tomatoes soaked till soft 8 majool pitted dates soaked till soft ½ cup Red Onion chopped 1 TB  Olive Oil1 TB  Lemon Juice. ½ TB Rosemary, Dried ½ TB Thyme, Dried 1 tsp  Ground Coriander, Powder 1 tsp Paprika, Dried ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper Powder, Dried Pulse all ingredients in food processor until well combined and look yummie! 

Raw Kitchen tip: If you have the time, make the kabobs the night before the BBQ.If you do not have a dehydrator, place the kabobs in a dish with a glass lid, and place in the sun. Let “bake” in the heat of the sunshine. 

Tune in next week for animal free- Vanilla Milk shakes to add to your Back yard Raw-BQ extravaganza! Recipes are created by Sweet Melissa “Mango”, Owner and Chef of Terra Bella Café and Terra Bella Dessert Company. Melissa has been the Executive Chef 4 years running for the Raw Spirit Festival in Sedona Az.

For Gourmet Raw Catering, demos or Personal Chef Services contact Melissa@TerraBellacafe.com or see menu online at TerraBellaCafe.com If you are interested in opening your own raw café and need professional help, contact Melissa and save your life!