27 May 2010

vegan-friendly

Me and mine are going on a wee adventure this weekend. The van is being packed with blankets, sunscreen and rainboots (which I am really hoping I won't actually require). I know car trips inevitably involve stocking up on gas station junk food but I wanted to bring something a little nicer since I have tomorrow evening free anyway. Hence, I am baking muffins. And not only one kind of muffin but two. Banana bread muffins based on Robyn's banana bread recipe and applesauce cranberry muffins. Using applesauce and a bit of oil means you don't need butter and choosing cranberries over chocolate chips makes these treats vegan, baby! Which is good because we are travelling with a veeg and I wouldn't want to deprive her of home cookin'.

For those of you whom are female and fretting about packing, here is an example of a thoughtful girly packing list along with the recipe for applesauce cranberry muffins, in case you so desire to bring your own. White chocolate chips are a great addition.



A CAMPING LIST FOR GIRLS with all the space in the world:

Backpack (bigger and just more damn convenient than a purse)
Folding chairs (Canadian Tire $16)
Cooler
Blankets (for sleeping) + Pillows
Mexican blanket (for sitting hills)
Towel (for showers, washing faces and possibly a dip in the river)
Sunscreen
Bugspray
Aloe
Deodorant (minimal shower access, yo)
Baby powder (little bit in the hair gets rid of the grease)
Toothbrush, toothpaste
Face wipes (basically, London Drugs and Shoppers sell face wash in wipe form which is great for end of day face and body grime removal)
Moisturizer
Tums + Advil + Benodryl
Birth control
Polysporin + Bandaids
Nail clippers
Sunglasses
Headband + Hat
Swimsuit
Shorts
Tees/Tanks
Jeans
Sweater
Jacket
Socks and Underwear (really, underwear is the only thing you should have fresh each day)
Flip Flops + Chucks + Rainboots
Knife + Cutting board + Paper towel
2 four litre jugs of drinking water
BBQ + Charcoal + Lighter + Newspaper
Flashlight

And I guess if you don't have van-access, you also require a tent and a tarp. And you'd probably be better off with a sleeping bag than blankets for sleeping.

Also, this is a camping list for people with CAR SPACE, not backpackers. Clearly.

Anyway...



APPLESAUCE MUFFINS

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup white flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup dried cranberries
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil (and yes, olive oil works fine here)

Get that oven going at 375 C. In a large bowl combine dry ingredients (including cranberries) and stir WELL to evenly mix. In a smaller bowl, but not small, let's call it a medium bowl, whisk the applesauce and oil together. Keep whiskking until the oil stops attempting to seperate from the applesauce. 

Then add the applesauce mixture to the dry mixture and stir just to moisten. Don't overstir. You do want all the dry ingredients wet and mixed but if you stir too vigourously or too much, the muffins will end up tough. Spoon the batter into lightly oiled muffin tins. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden. You should be able to insert a knife into the middle of a mufin and have it come out dry.

PS: If you add a quarter cup of cocoa powder, the results are wicked.

Peace & Love.


Recipe by Aubrie Chaylt. Photos from Google Images. 

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