Probably

Word of the week: Probably.

As in:

"Rasi, would you like a cracker?"

"Umm, probably I should have ten."

Or:

"Rasi, it's bedtime."

"Umm, probably it's morning."

Brownie Cupcakes

Sometimes you just can't decide between cupcakes or brownies... This recipe makes a pretty big batch, so I usually put most of them in the freezer right away. Then it is just too easy to take some out about a half hour before you need them. Top with whipped cream and berries, or a scoop of your favorite ice cream (So Delicious Mocha Fudge!). For these I used Mimiccreme and frozen strawberries (thawed). Not bad, but I am really looking forward to fresh berries to be in season soon!

Vegan Brownie Cupcakes
Makes about 20

1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
4 oz silken tofu (about 1/4 block)
1/4 cup strong coffee
t tbsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare muffin tin with liners. In a small bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder. Blend the oil, sugar, tofu, coffee and vanilla, ideally with a stick blender in a large bowl, or in a blender and transfer into a bowl. Add the flour mixture and combine. Fill the liners about 1/3, then bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool before freezing or topping. Enjoy!

This recipe can also be used to make a 9x13 pan of brownies, just increase the baking time to about 25-30 minutes. It is always a good idea to line the pan with parchment paper.

Hello!

Yesterday we brought the kids for a field trip to Independence Hall, and since it was still on our "things to do in Philly" list, the whole family came along. We love the Historic District, and have spent a lot of time there, especially in the summers. I think by now we may have done just about everything there is to do there, especially after trying the amazing ($12!) sundaes at Franklin Fountain last week (vegan options available!). Anways, while walking by Franklin Square Park on our way back to the car yesterday, we ran into Mayor Nutter. I think he had just been planting trees with Prince Edward or something. He was walking to his motorcade, but took the time to stop and say hello, talk to the kids, etc. I am not endorsing anyone here (in fact, I can't even vote), but how perfect was it for the kids to meet the mayor on the day they of their government/history field trip!

Raspberry Rice Krispie treats

The kids have been wanting to make these for a looong time now, and I have had a bag of Dandies vegan marshmallows reserved for this purpose for several weeks, but someone kept eating up the cereal. To be honest, I am not a huge fan of rice krispie treats (too sweet), and being a foreigner who didn't grow up on these, I don't even get nostalgic about them. Still, they did come out great. Adding some freeze-dried raspberries really balanced out the sweetness, and some chopped up dark chocolate will probably make it in the next batch we make.

4 tablespoons vegan butter
1 bag of Dandies vegan marshmallows
1 tablespoon milk of choice
1/4 tsp salt
5 1/2 cups rice krispies
a good handfull of freeze-dried raspberries

Slowly melt butter, add marshmallows and continue to heat slowly , stirring often, until melted. Stir in the milk and salt. Add the rice krispies and raspberries, and mix quickly until everything is coated. Transfer to a 9x13 pan, lined with wax paper, and use more wax paper to press the mixture down evenly into the pan. Let cool before cutting.

Easter with the Swedes

Here is something you may not know about Easter in Sweden: This time of year children dress up as Easter witches, who travel by broom-sticks to their annual meeting at Blakulla. They visit friends and neighbors with Easter greetings, and expect candy in return. 

We didn't want to scare our neighbors, so we just got together with some other Swedes for Easter games instead.

A broom race!

Faster! Faster!

Quiz time. Witches convening.

Score!

Happy Easter/Glad Pask!

Recap

Sorry about my absence here of late. Recently I have been spending most of my screen time catching up on "How I Met Your Mother." This show is so witty! It is like a modern version of "Friends",  only that it's funny. Most of the episodes have me in tears. This show is on its 7th season; I seriously don't know how I am just finding out about it now. (Well, counting back the years, I guess I have some idea.) But now I own most of the seasons. Yay! (Thanks, teenage-Craigslist-kid! You can stop sending me emails with Barney quotes now.) Legen... Wait for it...