Tis the Season… of deliciousness!

Tis the season, it is said. The season of laughter, love, and giving. The season of festive music and merry-making. The season of muted silence with thick snow falling gently over the world, blanketing us in a wondrous white which covers all dirt and grime. It makes our fields, our cities, our towns, and our streets look white-washed and clean, if but for only a moment. Tis also the season of rushing around, stress, and sickness, but let's not dwell on that side of it… at least not today ;)

Tis the season…. of baking! This is what brings me here today. With Christmas fast approaching many ovens are heating up, baking the most delectable cookies, cakes and desserts, ready for the consumption of the masses as families join together in celebration of the Christmas season and Jesus' birth. I must admit, this is one of my favourite parts of this season. The home baked goodies. Since getting married I have endeavoured to join the mass of bakers, and have proved myself to make some delicious, and edible I might add, desserts. My attempts at whipped shortbread have been praised by even the most seasoned of bakers, my gingerbread cookies have been chewed slowly as they've been savoured, but this year, I decided to try something a little bit different.

As we have recently moved into a new house, and November was filled with preparing for an art market, we have only recently began settling into our new home. I had no desire, whatsoever, to even attempt any baking, knowing my house was an absolute gong-show. However, in the past week or so, the house has become considerably more settled, thus, the other night, the whim of baking overcame me. As I perused my book of tried and true recipes, I felt neither inclined, nor inspired, to re-do that which I have done many times. Plus, my husband is not a cookie eater and I knew, therefore, to make cookies would result in my consumption of almost every single one. My mouth would enjoy this venture, as would my little latte growing in my womb, however, my hips, thighs, and other parts would sigh with discontentment at the shared room with the added flab that would inevitably come to rest there. Thus I turned to a new book and ventured out to try something new and exciting…. with quinoa!

As I flipped through the scrumptious desserts through this amazing cook book, my eyes came to rest upon one recipe that I couldn't seem to tear myself away from. Chocolate Truffle Brownies. I read the list of ingredients and was delighted to discover that I had all that was needed. Thank goodness for my random shopping and recent purchase of quinoa flour! My pregnancy craving of something sweet was about to be met, with the added goodness of an amazing superfood. Could life get any better? I submit that it could not. :)

Before I lay out the recipe for you, please remember that quinoa has a very distinct, almost nutty, flavour. This does not appeal to all, so you could always split your quinoa flour with some regular flour as well, to help mute the nutty tones. I prefer the quinoa taste, and myself did not find the brownies overwhelming with nutty quinoa flavour at all. In fact, for a first time brownie, I found them moist and absolutely delectable! I hope you will enjoy as well.

Chocolate Truffle Brownies

4 oz (115g) unsweetened chocolate (4 squares)

3/4 cup butter 

(I used margarine as butter is much more expensive)

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 large eggs

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups quinoa flour

1/4 cup milk

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

(I used pecans)

Preheat the oven to 350*. Lightly spray or grease a 9-inch square baking pan and lightly sprinkle with

flour or line with parchment paper.

In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate and the butter together over low heat. Add the sugar, stirring constantly. When the mixture is thoroughly blended, pour into a large bowl. Add the eggs and vanilla to the chocolate mixture and blend well. Stir in the flour and milk. Mix in the nuts. Pour evenly into the baking pan.

Bake on the center oven rack for 20-22 minutes (I had to bake mine for about 25 min). To keep these brownies chewy, be careful not to overbake. Cool for 15 minutes in the pan before cutting into 16 squares (or larger ones if you do so choose :) )…(ok, or smaller ones ;) )

If you do not have this amazing quinoa recipe book, I highly recommend it. It can be found at Costco for the best price. 

yummy!!! They are extremely delicious!

For the purchase of golden quinoa, you can get a bag of Organic True Roots quinoa at Costco. If you have a Bulk Barn in your city, they carry the golden and red quinoa in bulk, as well as the quinoa flour in bulk. If you can't find quinoa flour, you can also grind the quinoa yourself in a coffee grinder or magic bullet or flour grinder if you have one. 

I hope that as we enter this final week before Christmas, this season finds you with much joy. Enjoy time with loved ones, rest and put your feet up, and of course, enjoy all that scrumptious baking you've pre-made for the occasion! Hope you enjoy these tasty little treats, knowing it has a good-for-you superfood in it!

Merry Baking!

Till next time...

Dear little Latte...

Dear little Latte,

It's been a while since I wrote. I must say, you've certainly grown leaps and bounds since last time. You're almost 33 weeks old now and are quickly growing out of your current residence. Space has become limited. Instead of feeling hard kicks and punches, I feel knees and elbows, shoulders and head move and roll and press out hard as you manoeuvre in your cramped quarters . You've had the hick-ups quite a few times now too. At least hick-ups that I can identify. You also let daddy know you didn't like your limited space crowded even more one night. He put his hand on my belly to feel you and pressed a little harder then usual. You booted him good that time. It made me laugh out loud for a long time. You already bring me such pleasure, and I love laying in bed, teasing you, playing with you, talking to you, and just watching you roll around. It makes mommy feel a bit nauseas at times, but I know it will all be worth it.

I've also discovered that you like baths! It seems whenever I have a nice warm bath, you calm down for a time and enjoy it too. We've shared lots of baths together since we've moved into our new home, and we will share many, many more before you arrive as well. Especially because the weather has finally started getting colder and there's nothing like a nice, warm bath to warm me up.

I took you to your first musical as well! Thanks to our friend Tawny, we went to see The Sound of Music. You were quiet and still until the production started and the nuns starting singing. Then you went crazy, punching and kicking at the same time! I'm not sure if it's because you liked the music and were enthralled… or because you absolutely hated it and were trying to cover your ears. When you're born I'll put on the soundtrack and see how you react to the music. :)

Now that mommy and daddy's Christmas market is over, we can finally settle into our new home and start setting up your room. Right now it's full of boxes, so we need to get those cleared out, and find you a bed and a dresser. Don't come too soon ok my little Latte? Mommy still needs some time to get ready for your arrival and have the house organized :)

You are sure getting heavy now too. Mommy has tried not to waddle as long as possible, but your weight and that of your home comforts now make it near impossible for me not to waddle! Everyone thinks it's cute, but it's a lot of weight to carry around all day at work. We have just 3 weeks left till Christmas holidays and then I can put my feet up and let you grow and move and wiggle for two whole weeks! That will be nice indeed. Then I just have 3 days back at work and then I'm off and waiting for you to arrive! It's going to come so quickly.

Well my dear little Latte, we are on home stretch now and are getting very close to meeting you. We are so excited to hold you in our arms and cover you with kisses and give you plenty of snuggles. There are so many people who are excited to meet you as well! Take care, keep growing strong and healthy, and we will meet you very soon.

mommy and daddy love you!