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The Living Food

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| December 28, 2017 by Ina Melny | Blog, Food Shopping |

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A vegan shop full of amazing organic treats for everyone

The Living Food is one of its kind in Barcelona. You will find artisanal aged vegan cheeses made of cashews and almonds, the best raw cookies from Czech Republic, raw coconut vinegar from the States, raw miso from japan, superfoods and fruit powders from all over the world and lots of local vegan products such as chickpea tempeh. We will focus on the absolute specialty: the cheeses, but the shop offers so much more.

We love the cheeses

The illuminated fridge caught our eye, we immediately realized we are in cheese heaven. We have tried many different raw vegan cheeses before, but the cheeses here sounded spectacular. We tried 7 different cheeses throughout our stay here in Barcelona and have to share them with you guys.

Blue Cheese

Aged cheese with almonds and cashews.

Our favorite! The texture and the taste are very authentic and delicious.

Semi-aged with Achiote

Made with cashews.

This cheese melts like butter. Super creamy and mild. It’s our second favorite cheese.

Tomato and garlic cheese

Aged cashew cheese with sundried tomatoes.

The aged cheeses are a true specialty, it’s almost impossible to find aged raw vegan cheeses anywhere else as for now. The taste and the texture totally remind of a mild gouda. The cheeses are easiest to cut when cooled in the fridge. After sitting outside the texture gets softer and the taste unfolds. The cheese becomes more spreadable. We enjoy the cheeses either way. We usually eat one half straight from the fridge, the other half half an hour later.

Paprika and smoke

Aged cashew cheese.

The crust is amazing and the flavor mild but with character. The paprika and smoke are well hidden.

Pink Pepper

Fermented cashew cheese with pink pepper kernels.

The cheese is neutral and creamy, the pink pepper adds tons of taste and flavor.

Truffle Cheese

Aged cheese with almonds, cashews and truffle.

Dense cheese-like crust, tender inner part with a mild truffle flavor.

Fresh Tulsi cheese

Fermented almond and cashew cheese with Tulsi.

This cheese is my least favorite, For me, it has a soapy aftertaste that I don’t like.

Coming to the shop, take a good look around and let Santi and Miguel explain you the cheeses and find your favorite. I’m sure you will wanna come back for more. If you’re not into cheeses, let me tell you, I never liked dairy based cheeses, but nut based cheeses are next level.

Vegan cheeses (not particularly raw)

A good blender is simply irreplaceable.

Dehydrator turns fruit into delicious healthy treats.

If you like veggie noodles, you should get a spiralizer.

Petit Brot

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| December 25, 2017 by Ina Melny | Food Shopping |

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In the heart of Barcelona’s old town you will find an amazing raw vegan restaurant we have been going all the time back to during the month we spent in Barcelona. For us, Petit Brot is a must for 3 reasons: The food is simply delicious, the quality is amazing: both organic and always fresh, and the restaurant itself is a modern airy space you will want to stay in even after your delicious raw vegan meal is finished. A plus are the great owners Laura und Ales, super dedicated to serving great food, welcoming and just super nice to be around.

Let’s see what we had! As usual, I’ll start with the favs!

Petit Pa with tomatoes and extra avocado

Sprouted sunflower seeds, flax, psyllium, …

The Bread (8,90 + 2€) is dense, rich and delicious, like a good German dark bread. It was even shaped exactly like a slice of bread. It even tasted a little toasted from dehydrating I suppose. We asked for no oil on top but avocado. A perfect healthy avocado toast.

Raw Falafel duo + Salad

Sprouted chickpea falafel and sprouted sunflower seed & beetroot falafel with fresh greens, veggies, sprouts with creamy raw tahini dressing.

The falafel salad (13,90 €) was amazing. The falafel very authentic in taste and beautifully shaped.

Raw cheesecake

With cashews and almonds.

This is our favorite cake (7,50€) at Petit Brot, we had it almost every time we were here.

The cream cream layer is smooth, rich and sweet, the pinc layer fruity and flavorful.

Raw Bonbon Cake

Almond and buckwheat base. Cashew creme. Chocolate topping.

This cake (7,50€) is sweet and with the thick chocolate taste just like a chocolate praline.

Raw Organsmic Cake

Buckwheat and almond base. Chocolate mouse.

This cake (6,50 €) is very chocolaty. A nice treat for dark chocolate lovers.

Macadamia Cake

Macadamia and coconut.

This raw vegan cake (7,50€) is made without any sweeteners except for stevia and has a mild flavor and snow like texture.

Raw Spaghetti Bolognese

With zucchini noodles, raw marinara of sun-dried and fresh tomatoes and italian herbs.

The raw noodles (14,50€) were delicious, must be a special kind of organic zucchini that was used, very smooth and neutral. The marinara is rich and aromatic.

Lunch Menu

Living soup, Espinacas a la Catalana, Energy balls.

The weeks menu (16,95) was incredible. The raw “sautéed” spinach dish tastes as rich and creamy as a cooked spinach while being just quickly dehydrated. The were marinated mushrooms and onions inside which added flavor and made the texture even more interesting. The alioli on the side was exquisite. We asked for no oil on the salad. The soup was also very good.

Raw mini burgers + salad

Raw patties made with sprouted buckwheat, lentils and sunflower seeds, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, 2 patés, with fresh greens and dressing.

This burger salad (13,90) was stunning. The greens super fresh, colorful and tasty. The patés the patties were topped with were super delicious. The burger patties were not exactly my taste, the lentils gave them in my opinion a weird aftertaste. The salad dressing felt like just oil, but with a tahini dressing, I would definitely give this dish another try the next time.

Festive Lunch Menu

Pumpkin soup, raw cauliflower stir fry, pumpkin pudding.

The menu (18,50 €) consisted of 3 dishes. This meal was our least favorite at Petit Brot. It was also the first one we tried. It showed us again, we shouldn’t even start to junge a restaurant before trying everything on the menu!!

Raw mini Pizzas

Crackers, sun-dried tomato paté, cashew cheese, arugula salad, marinated mushrooms, olive oil, herbs, a side salad and sprouts.

The pizzas (14,50€) are really good. Every layer was amazing. The crackers, the paté and the cashew cheese. We like it so much, we got all the 3 ingredient separately to go and assembled the pizzas at home for dinner later that day. The side salad was super fresh and delicious, we asked for no oil on the salad.

Make similar raw recipes at home

Amazing Falafel Salad

Rawesome Cheesecakes

Great Raw Burgers

Delicious Bolognese with raw Parmesan

Overall impression

Petit brot is an amazing raw vegan restaurant. The quality of the ingredients is amazing, everything is organic and always fresh. We found so many favorite dishes here and with the weekly changing menu, there is always something new to try.

What to order for breakfast

There is nothing wrong with cheesecake for breakfast, right? I would always go for the raw vegan cheesecake in the morning. A slice of raw bread with avocado is also perfect for breakfast. A lighter option would be a smoothie or a slow pressed organic juice. Also the cheesepate is perfect to start the day. We didn’t had the cheese plate at the restaurant, but we had the cheeses and the crakers separatelly, both are amazing.

What to order for lunch

During the week, I would definitely order the weekly special, alternatively a falafel salad or the pizzas would be a great start.

Tips for your visit

Check the opening hours, you will find all the updates on their facebook page. Morning are usually less busy than the lunch time. Around the holidays, a reservation might be a good idea.

A good blender is simply irreplaceable.

Dehydrator turns fruit into delicious healthy treats.

If you like veggie noodles, you should get a spiralizer.

Organic in Como

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| December 17, 2017 by Ina Melny | Food Shopping |

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Flea Markets in Nice | France

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| December 13, 2017 by Ina Melny | Travel |

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Flea markets and thrift stores

Puces de Nice

By the Old Port are couple of antique stools. However, on a Saturday during the working hours in December, most of the littles shops were closed. We found lots of antique plates and cutlery, also silver pill boxes and cigaret cases. The products are from rusty trash to great condition 800 silver.

Sunday: Old port flea market

I’m not sure if the market is regularly taking place every Sunday, we accidentally spotted it taking a walk on the mountain and came running down to for this amazing market. The market is dominated by private sellers and professional antiques sellers with rather cheaper assortment of kitchenware, old household items, and worn out clothes.

Monday: Antiques Market at Marché aux Fleurs (Flower Market)

On Mondays, the Antique Market or ‘Brocante’, takes place here instead of the regular food market. Lots of interesting antiques, especially silverware. Almost exclusively professional sellers, we spotted some antique store owners selling here, the prices are accordingly, but the quality is much better compared to the old port market. If you’re looking for antiques in great condition and are willing to pay a little more, but less than at the antique shop, you will be thrilled with this flea market.

More Antique Shops in Nice

Around the old port, on the right side looking from the port towards the city the street with countless Antique shops begins. However, every time we passed by, the shops were closed. We spotted mostly furniture and decoration objects.

Musée Marc Chagall | Nice

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| December 13, 2017 by Ina Melny | Travel |

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Some of the most impressive works of Chagall collected in an incredible Museum. A must for Art lovers.

Organic in Nice | France

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| December 13, 2017 by Ina Melny | Food Shopping |

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Organic Markets in Nice

There are different chains of all organic markets, most of them pretty tiny, but with a good enough fruit and veggies selection.

Naturalia (Cassini)

Great organic seasonal fruit, veggies, sprouts, seaweed.

Naturalia (Déroulède)

Great organic seasonal fruit, veggies, sprouts, seaweed, organic nuts and seeds.

Bio C`Bon

Organic seasonal fruit, veggies, sprouts, seaweed, raw vegan snacks and water in glass bottles.

Biocoop

Organic seasonal fruit, veggies, sprouts, seaweed, raw vegan snacks and spices.

Marchand Bio

Great organic seasonal fruit, veggies, sprouts, seaweed, organic nuts and seeds. Water in glass bottles.

You might be able to find a modest selection organic fruits and veggies at the regular stores such as Carrefour, what you will find there, might get your through the day, but keep in mind that organic fruit like banana are most likely pretty unripe and not ready to eat.

Organic Restaurant in Nice

So for the first couple of days, while the fruit is ripening, eating at a restaurant is an option. We totally recumbent checking out the Koko Green restaurant in Nice.

Farmers Market in Nice
We saw an organic stand with mostly veggies at the flower market. Not really worth relying on, but nice fresh option to stock up on seasonal local veggies.

Koko Green | Nice | France

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| December 3, 2017 by Ina Melny | All |

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We stayed in Nice for a week and had plenty of time to try all the raw food dishes at Koko Green. On the weekly changing menu, there are 2 raw dishes plus raw desserts, smoothies and juices. The restaurant is run by a very passionate and lovely couple, we could literally taste their dedication in every dish. Everything was fresh, organic and delicious.

Oyster Mushroom Ceviche

Ceviche (7.50€) with coconut milk and sweet chili vinaigrette.

Everything about this dish is amazing. The coconut sauce is deliciously sweet and sour, the marinated mushrooms and completed with creamy avocado and well seasoned veggies. With a hint of lime and fresh coriander.

Raw vegan sushi

Sushi (16,00€) with cauliflower and kohlrabi rice, sesame nut cheese, smoked carrot salmon, beetroot, asian salad and yuzu dressing.

Tasty, filling dish. There are so many different flavours and textures conjoined on this plate. Smoky soft carrot, rich creamy sauce, pickled ginger, hot creamy wasabi, salty soy sauce, mild sweet and sour dipping sauce, fresh crunchy salad and sprouts.

Tiramisu

Tiramisu (6.50€) of Almond and Date base, Cashew and Coconut Filling, Chocolate and Coffee Layers.

Rich and sweet cream layers. The chocolate layers are infused with coffee. The cream layers melt a little faster, leaving the chocolate and coffee layer a little longer on the tong so the coffee and chocolate flavours can fully unfold. A truly perfect raw cake with a texture of a regular tiramisu.

Make these recipes at home

Best Tiramisu Recipe

Banana Cake

Oyster Mushroom Ceviche Recipe

Raw Sushi Recipe

Banoffee Pie

Banffee pie (6.50€) of nut base, coconut cream and bananas.

The banoffee pie is a creamy, sweet, delicious dessert. The cream layer is maybe a tiny bit too sweet for our liking and the cream layer was too runny on this one, which didn’t affect the overall great taste at all.

Overall impression

We really enjoyed our breakfast and 2 lunches at Koko Green. The food is tasty, the ingredients are exceptional quality: organic and fresh. The raw options are limited, but excellent.

What you should order

For the 2 of us, 2 starters, 1 main and 1-2 cakes would make a great lunch.

Tips for your visit

You your are visiting on the weekend, call and make a lunch a dinner reservation to not no miss out on the great food, the sitting is limited.

A good blender is simply irreplaceable.

Dehydrator turns fruit into delicious healthy treats.

If you like veggie noodles, you should get a spiralizer.

A vegan shop full of amazing organic treats for everyone

We love the cheeses

Blue Cheese

Semi-aged with Achiote

Tomato and garlic cheese

Paprika and smoke

Pink Pepper

Truffle Cheese

Fresh Tulsi cheese

Vegan cheeses (not particularly raw)

Petit Pa with tomatoes and extra avocado

Raw Falafel duo + Salad

Raw cheesecake

Raw Bonbon Cake

Raw Organsmic Cake

Macadamia Cake

Raw Spaghetti Bolognese

Lunch Menu

Raw mini burgers + salad

Festive Lunch Menu

Raw mini Pizzas

Make similar raw recipes at home

Amazing Falafel Salad

Rawesome Cheesecakes

Great Raw Burgers

Delicious Bolognese with raw Parmesan

Overall impression

What to order for breakfast

What to order for lunch

Tips for your visit

Flea markets and thrift stores

Puces de Nice

Sunday: Old port flea market

Monday: Antiques Market at Marché aux Fleurs (Flower Market)

More Antique Shops in Nice

Organic Markets in Nice

Naturalia (Cassini)

Naturalia (Déroulède)

Bio C`Bon

Biocoop

Marchand Bio

Organic Restaurant in Nice

Oyster Mushroom Ceviche

Raw vegan sushi

Tiramisu

Make these recipes at home

Best Tiramisu Recipe

Banana Cake

Oyster Mushroom Ceviche Recipe

Raw Sushi Recipe

Banoffee Pie

Overall impression

What you should order

Tips for your visit

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