Monday, June 30, 2014

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Beastie Update


Most of my puppy pictures of late are of sleeping pups, curious pups, blurry pups or a combination of the above. 


At 9 weeks Gertrude and Gladys have discovered some sweet skillz. 





Digging is a favorite. No reason needed, "just because" is enough.  Sometimes they get so busy digging that they forget to use the great outdoors for it's intended purpose. 

Yes. We can spend many, many minutes out-of-doors with much playing, figure-eight chasing and digging and not go potty at all. Working on that little scenario... don't want the babies to get their indoor/outdoor mixed-up like human babies get day and night confused. Eating leaves, bark, etc. is also a special pastime. Who knew a weed could be so exciting. 


Stair climbing is now second nature. But stair de-climbing sometimes requires squealing and whimpering and the help of a human. And vocalizing? Barking is a fun discovery, there is still plenty of buzz-type growling, and pre-howling is making an appearance. 

Cuteness? Off the charts.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Scraps and Snippets ~ Smore Surprise Brownie Bites


Smore Surprise Brownie Bites


1 and 1/2 sticks Earth Balance (3/4 Cup or 3/4 Cup coconut oil)
1 1/3 Cup sugar
2 TBSP egg replacer (I used homemade EnerG)
6 TBSP water or non-dairy milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 Cup cocoa
1 2/3 Cup flour
1/3 chocolate chips
Approx 2 vegan friendly graham crackers broken into about 1 inch squares/sections
These aren't the brownies, just wanted to show you what they looked like.
We ate them...oops
Approx 4-5 large Dandies marshmallows cut (scissors worked well) each marshmallow into 6 to 8 pieces.

Cream the sugar, coconut oil, milk and egg replacer. Add baking powder and salt and mix well. Add vanilla and stir. Stir in cocoa and then flour until blended.

Preheat oven to 350. 

Using one of those brownie pans with the dividers, mini cupcake tins or a silicone pan with 20 squares in it, or a large cookie sheet lightly grease which ever item or combination you choose to use. 

I made mine in a 20 count silicone pan and baked them for 14-16 minutes which would be about right for mini-muffin tins. Here's what I did. I pressed a walnut sized piece of dough into my little squares. Then I placed a chunk of graham cracker and marshmallow on top of dough. Another walnut sized section of dough pressed over the top.

If using  a cookie sheet for bake for about 12 minutes. I would roll out a walnut sized ball of dough flat, then top with the graham cracker and marshmallow and fold dough over to cover the amore treats. If using the sectioned brownie pan you might need 30 minutes.

Makes about 3 dozen.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Scraps and Snippets ~ Caramelly Chocolate Chip Double Layer Brownies


Caramelly Chocolate Chip Double Layer Brownies (These aren't healthy on any front...but they are delicious!!!!) 

1 and 1/2 sticks Earth Balance (3/4 Cup or 3/4 Cup coconut oil)
1 1/3 Cup sugar
2 TBSP egg replacer (I used Ener-G DIY homemade)
6 TBSP water or non-dairy milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 Cup cocoa
1 2/3 Cup flour
1/3 chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9 x 13. Mix Earth Balance and sugar until blended. Add cocoa, egg replacer and water/milk, vanilla and mix well, add salt, baking powder and vanilla and stir. Pour in flour and mix. It will be thick and more like cookie dough. Press into pan. Bake for 23-26 minutes. I believe I'll try it in an 8 x 11 and bake it for 10 minutes more and see how it does in a thicker brownie.

CARAMEL TOPPING LAYER

1/2 Cup plus 1 TBSP room temperature coconut oil (or Earth Balance)
1 1/3 Cup sugar
2 TBSP egg replacer (I used Ener-G DIY recipe)
6 TBSP So Delicious vanilla or original coconut milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 /3 Cup flour
2/3 Cup chocolate chips
1 Cup Oatmeal
1 Cup chopped pecans (or other nuts or none at all) 


Cream the sugar, coconut oil, milk and egg replacer. Add baking powder and salt and mix well. Add vanilla and stir. Stir in flour until blended and finally add the chocolate chips and oatmeal. 

Plop caramel/chocolate chip layer on top of brownies.

Bake 35-38 minutes.



Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Killer Bee-agles

The pups make a lot of crazy noises. They are working on howling. Growling and snarling is a skill they've mastered.

But the buzzing in this video totally cracked me up.


Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Scraps and Snippets ~ Vegan Potato Breakfast Casserole

Vegan Potato Breakfast Casserole

The night before prep cashews for the cream sauce 
1 1/2 Cups cashews
2 Cups water
3/4 Cup non-sweetened, unflavored non-dairy milk (you could probably get away with more water instead) 

NOTE: You will not discard the water. 


In the morning place the nut mixture into a food processor and whir until creamy and add the following:
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (I used Siracha)
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 TBSP lemon juice
4 TBSP nutritional yeast
Mix well.

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9 x 13 pan.


2 Bags (16 ounces each or 1 large) shredded or diced frozen potatoes
1 Onion fine dice 
1 Pepper fine dice 
6-8 mushrooms fine dice 
Faux sausage bits (I used Upton's)

Place one bag potatoes in the pan and press down. 

Saute the onions, peppers and mushrooms until tender.
Place the veggies over the potatoes. Top with the sausage and the rest of the potatoes. 

Pour the cheesy sauce over the potato layer. 

Bake for 45 minutes. 


Monday, June 23, 2014

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Couch Surfing err Swimming...Pup Style


An odd new puppy trick. 

Gertrude begs for a tiny bit of a cuddle, then she climbs whichever human she's cuddling with and perches on the back of the couch. 

Then begins the burrowing. Until she's fully comfortable.  

This process takes many laps to accomplish.