[Sorry, we lost the pic in a web update... will repost if we find it!]

Last night, Jim ate the first warm food he's had in over a year! I created a dinner that was placed in the dehydrator for about an hour before it was served. This dish is delicious at room temperature, also, but I thought it might be more special if I served it a bit warm. Jim thought it was a nice change to the colder temperatures of the smoothies he's been practically living on!

Here's the recipe, if you think you'd like to try it.

Boiled Pierogies with Sauteed Spinach and Steamed Peppers

"Sauteed" Spinach

3 oz. fresh spinach

Drizzle olive oil

Sprinkle salt

Place ingredients into a dish, toss well and set aside.

"Steamed" Peppers

1/3 large red pepper

Thinly slice and put aside.

"Boiled" Pierogies

1 small turnip, peeled

Drizzle olive oil

Sprinkle salt

Squeeze lemon

Thinly slice peeled turnip into rounds using a mandoline slicer, or a very sharp knife. Place rounds in bowl with some olive oil, salt, and lemon. Coat well and let sit (this softens the turnip).

Pierogie "Cheese"

1 cup Macadamia nuts

Fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)

1/3 red pepper

Drizzle olive oil

salt (adjust to taste)

2 teaspoons dried rosemary

Few dashes cayenne pepper

Water (enough to create a mashed potato-like consistency)

Place ingredients into food processor and process until you achieve a mashed potato-like consistency. Note: You'll have extra cheese to eat as a dip for another meal.

Garnish

1/3 red pepper, finely chopped

1 Tablespoon ground rosemary

Assembly and "Cooking" (Serves 2-3)

To create pierogies, place some turnip rounds on a plate, top with small amount of "cheese" and cover with another turnip round. Place some of the pierogies you've created on top of a portion of the sauteed spinach. Garnish with chopped peppers and ground rosemary.

Add a portion of steamed peppers to the plate, garnish with ground rosemary.

"Cook" in a dehydrator set at 105 degrees for about one hour (this "cooking" is optional).

Enjoy!

This meal was followed by leftover "cake" from Jim's birthday party. It's not a filling meal, so be sure to either eat a salad beforehand or include a dessert to complete the dinner!