Saturday, November 13, 2010

Nephews, Husbands, and Amusement Parks


I have been out numbered by boys!  My 10 year old nephew is staying with us this weekend and he and my husband have turned our tiny little home into a skateboard, cartoon, video game, burpin' and fartin' clubhouse.

"We need to get out of the house!"

Off to Knott's Berry Farm it is...for those of you who don't already know, it's way cheaper after 4pm.  I hadn't been in almost 10 years, and things have changed.  Not as charming as the "berry farm" used to be.  Chain restaraunts (Panda Express, Johnny Rockets, Pinks) have infiltrated the once old fashioned family vibe, and even old "Ghost Town" was less, well, ghost-y.

Gone was the old Soap Box Derby, Greased Lightning, and Kingdom of the Dinosaurs.   No more Parachutes or Haunted Shack.  Even Sad Eyed Joe (the lonely cell mate stuck in Ghost Town Jail) wasn't talking!  Instead, big shiny roller coasters that seemed a little too crazy for a 10 year old, and honestly even me and Dan, have taken their place.  So we settled on a few of the classics, The Log Ride, Montezuma's Revenge, Big Foot Rapids, tried a few new ones, Boomerang, and Ghost Rider (I skipped that one), then headed for some amusement park grub.

If there's one thing Knott's has always been known for, it's the funnel cake.  At least they still have that.  Unfortunately for me, it's not vegan.  I settled on a giant dill pickle and a Boysenberry Punch.  But that funnel cake, oh how I miss it.

Fear no more!  From the upcoming Heart Vegan, Funnel Cake!

Funnel Cake

*Quick and easy
These are easier than you might think to whip up in less than 20 minutes! Unless you have mad skills with a real funnel, I suggest you use a plastic bag, and snipping the corner off. A deep fat fryer works well here, but if you don’t have one, a pot filled with about 3 inches (7.5 cm) of oil will do the trick nicely.


oil for frying
1 1/4 cups (156 g) all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (25 g) sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup (235 ml) soymilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
powdered sugar for sprinkling

Preheat oil to 350°F (180°C).
While oil is heating whisk together remaining ingredients until smooth in a medium mixing bowl. It should be the consistency of a thin pancake batter. Transfer batter to a resealable plastic bag.
Snip a corner of the plastic bag and quickly swirl about 1/4 of the batter into the oil.
Allow to fry for about 1 to 2 minutes then carefully flip using a slotted spoon.
Continue to fry another 1 to 2 minutes until golden and crispy.
Carefully transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Repeat with remaining batter.
While stil warm, sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

Yield: 4 (4-inch, or 10 cm) funnel cakes

8 comments:

omgoshimvegan said...

I love funnel cakes. Reminds me of my childhood. They look great.

Jenn said...

Wow. The vegan funnel cake. Looks fantastic.

dreaminitvegan said...

So sad to hear about Knott's. I haven't been since I was in my early teens.

Monique a.k.a. Mo said...

Whoa.

Katie said...

When's your burger book coming out, missy?! :D

Joni Marie Newman said...

Burger book coming out in May of 2011!!!

Luciana said...

You've cornered the vegan market on festival foods! This looks amazing!

Elisabeth said...

The funnel cake looks great!

2012 Copyright/Permissions/Disclaimers

All recipes written by me, Joni Marie Newman, unless otherwise noted. Please feel free to refer to or link back to any of my recipes, but please ask for permission, and remember to give credit when reprinting recipes in their entirety. I do provide links to affiliate programs (such as Amazon) in which I receive a small commission for items purchased. I do not provide paid reviews. All reviews done on products or books are of my own unsolicited opinion. On occasion I may receive a book or product to review. I will note when this is the case, but rest assured, it will not affect the authenticity of my review. Thanks!--Joni