So far this year, and very happy to report that we’ve gotten a little closer to our friendly neighbors in the south. That’s right, Zimt is getting tighter with the US of A! They want us, and it’s a pretty big honor.
It’s not like that country is short on options for raw chocolate. However… people just seem to like Zimt.. and that’s ok with me!
In fact, while dealing with a bout of slight insomnia last night, I answered an email from a girl in L.A. – she’s heard so much about us and is absolutely dying to try our products!
Well, we do have the online store, but I’m still pushing to get product into a few more stores in the US.
Anyway. Let’s move onto brownies.
We’re experiencing a bit of a heat wave in Vancouver to say the very least. I’ve hardly left the house these days – this is because I broke both of my wrists from biking after a meeting, and I haven’t really been able to do much other than bask in the glory of AC.
But, in the spirit of keeping this blog alive, and offering you a really tasty recipe to try – I decided to make brownies. Well, my mom and my friend, Sabrina made them. All without the oven! It’s just too hot to bake. Even with the AC on!
I wanted to decorate them Fourth of July fashion. Initially, a coconut-whipped frosting adorned with tactfully placed blueberries and strawberries.
But, in light of the recent developments with respect to marriage equality in the USA, I thought I would celebrate this milestone by creating what I have titled, “Making Progress Brownies“. Well done, USA!
I can’t help but mention that up here in Canada, gay marriage has been A-OK according to legislation for quite some time… but at least there is further progress in the rest of the world. I would encourage countries and individuals to continue with fostering this progress because there is a very, very, VERY long way to go in SO many areas.
Make these “Making Progress Brownies” – and be inspired!
Brownies
1 cup buckwheat groats (146g)
2 tsp vanilla bean (6g)
4 tbsp cacao powder (28g)
14 pitted medjool dates (223g)
10 tsbp water (120g)
1 bar of Zimt! (or 40 g of Zimt’s baking chocolate)
Topper
This is the educational part. I invite you to check out THIS link by Tasty Yummies to learn how to make an amazing coconut whipped frosting!
Remember to refrigerate a full fat can of coconut milk the night before you make these.
Plus a bunch of rainbow cut fruit and berries to decorate!
Method
1) Grind buckwheat in a blender or food processor until it becomes a fine flour.
2) Add dates, cacao powder, vanilla bean and blend, slowly adding water. You may need to add an additional tablespoon or so of water to get things moving.
3) Remove mixture from blender and put it plastic wrap. Form the mixture into a rectangle as best as you can. It works best if you mold is using the plastic wrap from the outside, pat it into shape with your hands, and smooth out the top with the upper side of a jar lid. Pop this into the freezer for a few hours.
4) Follow these instructions by Tasty Yummies to make the whipped coconut cream!
5) Spread the whipped coconut cream over the top of the brownies and arrange your fruit exactly how you like!
6) Refrigerate for another hour or so for a firmer brownie, or dig in right away like we did!
Zimtees, I hope you enjoy 
Emma