And it only costs $2.00. I was incredibly disappointed to have my second attempt to visit Casa de Sousa on Olvera Street thwarted. It wasn't open. Saturday, and they weren't open. Last Sunday, we called and we just got somebody's voicemail. There's a vegetarian Mexican cafe at the Pueblo de Los Angeles and I haven't been. I'm wild with envy for anybody that's actually had the chance to experience it. Anyone?
As I'm not willing to simply go home without getting my promised vegan treat, I convinced Paul to take a family detour to Scoops. (It really didn't take a lot of convincing. Paul concurs that my hero, Tai Kim sells joy at his ice cream shop behind L.A. City College.) That's strawberry-passion fruit on top and peanut butter-coconut on bottom. The fruity flavor tasted like the haunting memory of my grandma's homemade strawberry ice cream. I think the passion fruit brings out the strawberry's strawberriness rather than exerting its own tropical flavor. It was perfect.
At first bite the peanut butter was prominent in the second scoop, but every third bite or so the coconut would coyly come forth. That man can come up with a successful flavor combination. And I've never had the same flavor twice. In addition to a wide selection of traditional dairy-based ice cream, and a couple flavors of sorbet, Scoops always has four vegan choices. It justs makes me happy to think of the existence of this place.
On top of that creamy delight, my day started with Paul's oatmeal-chocolate chip pancakes. It's my favorite cookie, in pancake form:
ingredients:
1/2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
1 c. soymilk
1/2 c. whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
a dash of salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. oil
1 large handful of chocolate chips
Combine oats and soymilk. Let soak for about 5 minutes. Add oil and vanilla to this mixture. Combine dry ingredients and add to wet. Let the batter rest for 5 - 10 minutes while you heat up the griddle. Cook on medium-high.
Happy Saturday.
