You may think you know raw food: delicious salads, puréed nut sauces, skinny vegetable noodles. Those are a great start, but a recent trip to Thailand (and my own Korean-American heritage) inspired me to think beyond typical raw-food approaches. To my delight, I found that Asian ingredients are perfect, natural partners to already healthy raw foods. Items like goji berries, used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries; electrolyte-filled coconut water; and seasonings such as kaffir lime, cilantro, and cardamom add vibrant, unexpected colors and flavors to raw dishes, along with their own health-boosting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Zucchini Spring Rolls with Lime-Cashew Dipping Sauce

Serves 6 / Vegan / My version of Thai peanut sauce highlights lime leaves and raw cashew or almond butter.  view recipe

Mango, Goji, and Lime Smoothie

Serves 4 / Vegan / Gluten-free / Tart-sweet goji berries are rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, and iron, and have been used in Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years (folklore maintains that gojis even improve attractiveness).  view recipe

Goji Cacao Energy Bars

Serves 8–10 / Vegan / Gluten-free / Cacao nibs are small pieces of cacao beans; most are heated but I prefer using them undamaged by heat (look for those labeled raw).  view recipe

Raw Carrot and Celery Salad

Serves 6 / Vegan / Gluten-free / Carrot pulp creates the texture and color of flaked salmon salad. If you don’t have a juicer, visit your local juice bar and ask for carrot pulp.  view recipe

Tom Yum–Inspired Soup

Serves 6 / Vegan / Coconut meat, kaffir lime leaves, and lemongrass give this soup authentic Thai character.  view recipe

Cardamom Fruit Tartlets

Makes about 28 / Vegan / Gluten-free / This delicious crust is made with nutrient-rich, heart-healthy almonds and sticky dates.  view recipe

Korean-Style Kelp Noodles with Vegetables

Serves 4 / Vegan / Gluten-free / My newest favorite raw food is kelp noodles, made from a sea vegetable and full of minerals and iodine, with only about 10 calories per serving. View recipe.