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Toasted nuts -- This is a great healthy snack.  Cooking nuts briefly intensifies their flavor without adding calories.  Just put a cup or so of almonds, walnuts, pecans or your favorite nuts in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.  Cook until they are lightly browned (about 3 to 4 minutes).  Watch the nuts carefully while toasting, so they don't burn.  Add a little kosher salt if you want.  Eat as a snack or toss in a salad and enjoy!

Use fresh ginger -- This is an essential ingredient in most Asian dishes.  Minced, crushed or sliced, fresh ginger (pictured on the right) adds amazing flavor to meat and vegetable dishes, but many Americans don't cook with it because they don't know how to prep it.  Click here to watch me take the mystery out of peeling fresh ginger. 

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Chef Lauren Von Der Pool, Vegan/Raw Food Cuisine Expert
Tahini butter aka sesame butter -- This healthy alternative to margarine and dairy-based butter is a smooth, creamy and oily nut paste.  Rich in calcium, tahini butter is a popular ingredient in Middle Eastern dishes like hummus.  I use it in dressings, cheese sauces, smoothies and on toast.  The possibilities are endless.  You can find tahini butter at most grocery stores.   

Learn more about Von Der Pool's exotic vegan and raw food cuisine at vonderpoolgourmet.com. 



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