Raw Cinnamon Apple-Pear Pie with Pecan-Date Crust

This recipe from Natalia Rose’s book, The Raw Food Detox Diet, is not difficult but introduces new flavours to some and requires a touch of artistry to break away from the predictable. It’s full of tasty enzymes and good-for-you nutrients, but is light and delicious and a beautiful dessert to serve loved ones! I used walnuts and a few almonds as the base for the crust rather than pecans. It’s okay to use a blender if you don’t have a food processor; it still did the trick for me. Enjoy the tangy, fresh sweetness of this pie! You could serve it with raw banana or vanilla ice-cream for extra indulgence.

Pecan-Date Pie Crust

• 12 dates, pitted
• 1 cup pecans, walnuts or macadamia nuts
• 1/3 – ½ cup water (to blend)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon each of ground nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor until uniform (if it’s still a little chunky that’s okay.) Place
the mixture in a pie pan; press firmly. Fill with raw pie filling of your choice, such as the apple pear combo to
follow!

Raw Cinnamon Apple-Pear Pie

• 2 Gala apples, very thinly sliced on the mandolin*
• 2 Granny Smith apples, very thinly sliced on the mandolin
• 1 ripe pear, very thinly sliced on the mandolin
• ¼ teaspoon each of ground nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves
• 10-15 drops liquid stevia** OR 1 tablespoon honey
• ¼ cup sultanas
• ½ cup lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

On the pie crust, create one layer of apple, topped by one layer of pear, topped by another layer of apple. Have fun and be creative… you can play with the colours and shapes, or make patterns! I made a pretty spiral pattern at the top.

Combine the spices, lemon juice, stevia or honey, sultanas and vanilla extract and pour over the pie. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Enjoy!

* A mandolin is a basic kitchen device that allows you to slice vegetables and fruit up into thin chips, shreds or other shapes depending on the style of mandolin. They reduce your salad making time and are well worth the $30-40 they retail for. You could get lucky and find one at a second-hand store or garage sale, or receive one second-hand from a friend like I did!

** Stevia is a natural, plant-derived sweetener from South America that contains no sugar or energy and so has no effect on insulin levels, and in fact works to stabilise them. It is non-carcinogenic, won’t cause blood sugar peaks and falls and is 30 times sweeter than sugar. It has been banned in the EU due to the lobbying power of artificial sweetener companies. If you expect it to taste “sugary” then you will be surprised as its sweetness is something else entirely, and can take a bit of getting used to. I prefer to use it in baking and green smoothies rather than in tea as it tastes different depending on how you use it. You can buy it from natural health stores in liquid or powder form and a small amount goes a long way!