Kitchen Concoctions

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Shhh! Don’t Tell Sarah!

So, I have been really trying to make a conscience effort to eat healthy and exercise lately. I mean I usually eat pretty healthy because I love fruits and veggies but I also have a food blog (and a sweet tooth) and no one would want to read this blog if all I posted was 100 different ways to eat broccoli!

And since I have been on this healthy ‘kick’ I casually mentioned how I was trying harder to exercise to Eric’s mom (Sarah) and she asked if we could start working out together a few times a week. I said sure, that, that would be awesome to have someone else to work out with to help me stay motivated. But, I had no idea about how hard core Sarah would be! We were walking one night last week and she was a couple of feet in front of me and she looked back and said “Come on slow poke!” and then the other night at the gym I had done 30 minutes on the elliptical machine and then done some weights so I was ready to go and she still wanted to work out! She has also been sharing all these healthy food tips and advice with me and all the while I am thinking about ice cream and things like these brownies! : ) But I am so glad that I have someone by my side to help me stay focused.

I got this month’s cookbook way back in August and first started ‘reading’ it back then. The first recipe I knew I HAD to try were these brownies. I have been thinking about them ever since but have not gotten around to ever making them. And now it is the last week of October and I am scrambling to make them and blog about them.

Since they are brownies, they don’t really fit with my ‘eating healthy kick’ and I am totally going to have to workout an extra 30 minutes tomorrow but it was worth it. These brownies came together quite quickly and were rich and chocolaty. The coffee in them helps bring out the chocolate and make it a stronger flavor. Defiantly have a gallon of milk on hand when you make these, you’re gonna need it!

And, SHHH don’t tell Sarah about my splurge! ; )


Mocha Brownies with Sour Cream Frostingadapted from 365 Dish A Day

Brownies:
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, divided
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3 tablespoons strong coffee****
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped

Frosting:
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup sour cream

Brownies:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8×8 inch square pan. Place the 1/2 cup chocolate and butter in a small heatproof bowl and set over a pan of gently simmering water until melted (a double broiler). Stir until smooth.
Beat the sugar and eggs together until pale and thick. Fold in the chocolate mixture and coffee. Mix well. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into the batter and fold in. Stir in the walnuts.

Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until set. Let cool in pan.

Frosting:
Melt 1/2 cup chocolate in glass bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir in the sour cream and beat until evenly blended. Spoon topping over brownies and make a swirling pattern with spatula. Let set in a cool place. Store leftovers in the fridge.

****I am not a big coffee drinker, and don’t own a coffee maker. But I do keep instant coffee on had for the occasional coffee craving and to cook and bake with. The instant coffee makes it easy because all you have to do is heat some water in the microwave and add a spoonful of the instant coffee!

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