Friday, October 15, 2010

The things they say

Heidi: I have good idea! (pointing her index finger up, pause). Eat Moe for dinner! (hysterical laughing). I have good idea! Eat Artemis for dinner! (more hysterical laughter).

Amelia, talking to our neighbour: That one is similar to .....
Neighbour: What, honey?
Amelia: *sigh* It means like.

Brownies

I made the most amazing brownies this morning. So much for watching what I eat...

I got the recipe from Dragon's Kitchen, and modified it slightly. Check out her blog.  She's a friend of my uncle, and an amazing cook. Haven't met her, but I've heard a lot about her and her food.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp butter
1 cup sugar (2/3 cup white, 1/3 cup light brown)
3/4 cup + 2  Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 Tbsp instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, dried cranberries, etc. (optional)

Directions:
1. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F. Line the bottom and sides of the baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides.

2. Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium heatproof bowl and set the bowl in a wide skillet of barely simmering water. Stir from time to time until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth and hot. Remove the bowl from the skillet and set aside briefly until the mixture is only warm, not hot.

3. Stir in the vanilla and coffee. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one. When the batter looks thick, shiny, and well-blended, add the flour and stir until you cannot see it any longer, beat vigorously with a wooden spoon. Stir in the nuts, if using. Spread evenly in the lined pan.

4. Bake until a toothpick plunged into the center emerges slightly moist with batter, 30 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack.

5. Lift up the ends of the parchment or foil liner, and transfer the brownies to a cutting board. Cut into squares.

Okay, so as if I could wait for them to cool down. I ate them warm straight out of the pan.