Kid friendly brownies! Let them cool and rest before eating!
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 25 minutesminutes
Servings 16
Ingredients
2ouncesunsweetened chocolatelike Ghiradelli's, no need to use $$$ stuff
1/2cupunsalted butter
1cupsugar
2large eggs
1teaspoonvanilla
2/3cupflour
1/4tsp.salt
1/2teaspoonbaking powder
1/2cupchocolate chipsmini-chips preferred
1/2cuptoasted chopped pecans
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter an 8 inch square pan and line with parchment.
Melt butter and chocolate together. Mix in sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, and the 2 eggs. Mix well and then add flour mixture (flour, salt, baking powder) and stir until combined. Do not overmix. Fold in chips and nuts.
Spread in pan and bake approximately 25 minutes. Brownies are done when a toothpick inserted halfway between the edge of the pan and the center comes out clean. Try not to overbake!
Special occasions call for a chocolate ganache made with 1:1 heavy whipping cream and melted semi-sweet chocolate blended and poured over the top and left to set. Totally boss.
I got home from rowing the other morning and spied our stainless steel mixing bowl sitting on the counter. Hmm….looks like Wes made pancakes for breakfast. There was just enough batter left in the bowl for one good size pancake. The griddle was still on the stove so I turned the flame on, higher than I should have as a grumbling stomach will do that to you, and ladled the batter onto the pan. I watched as the pancake began to rise, bubbles formed and just as the edge of the pancake began to look dry I flipped it over. Immediately the pancake puffed up and I thought THIS IS THE PERFECT PANCAKE. I need to take a pic (ok, multiple pics) and wax poetically about this puppy.
As I was taking the photos a horrifying thought popped into my head. WHAT IF Wes actually used Bisquick this morning?! I couldn’t possibly immortalize a pancake made with a box mix. This was the perfect pancake, no chance this was a from a box but I had to be sure….I called him and this was the conversation that ensued.
Me: So, you made pancakes this morning?
Him: Yep. I left you some batter.
Me: Yep. Saw that.
Him: Yep. It’s pretty good.
Me: Ok (exasperated tone), is it Bisquick or from scratch.
Him: What do you think?
Me: Noooooooooooooo
The smug look that crosses his face whenever I guess wrong…makes me shudder even thinking of it. It’s the look that says “HA, Ms. Foodie you are wrong, epic tastebud fail”.
Me: Scratch (with conviction)
Him: Yeah, scratch (with a tinge of resignation)
Me: HA, I KNEW IT! No way was that from a box. Happy Dance, uh huh, uh huh…..
In all fairness, Bisquick pancakes are pretty darn good and Wes does tweak them by adding melted butter. In a pinch or when feeling lazy we pull out that bright yellow box with the bold blue letters….and in a blink of an eye, pancakes anyone?
Our favorite pancake recipe comes from…don’t laugh, The Friends Cookbook. Yes, those friends..Ross, Rachel, Monica, Joey, Chandler and Phoebe. Trust me…the pancakes are delicious. Fluffy, tender, buttery, perfect with maple syrup or adorned with fresh berries or bananas.
4tbsp1/2 stick, butter, melted, plus extra for the pan
Instructions
Combine the flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl, using a whisk to remove any large clumps.
Pour the milk into a large measuring cup. Add the eggs and melted butter and beat with a fork until smooth.
Slowly stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients using a rubber spatula. Do not overmix the batter.
Heat a griddle or large skillet. Grease the pan with a little butter. Drop several tbsp of batter on to the pan for each pancake.
Cook until the tops are covered with bubbles. Flip and continue cooking until the bottoms are golden brown. Repeat the process with the remaining batter.
At the risk of losing any credibility I might have earned with previous posts, yes, that is The Friends Cookbook in the photo. I told you, I have a cookbook addiction, this proves it. In my defense I did peruse the book before buying, first I noticed the cast of Friends did not write this cookbook, lol (not even Monica), it was actually written by a senior writer for Cooks Illustrated, the bastion of obsessive recipe testing. Second, it was on sale…so what the heck, I took a chance and bought a copy.
I kid you not, it has been my go to source for a variety of recipes, pancakes, brownies, coffeecake and yes, chili. The recipes are fairly simple, delicious and KID FRIENDLY, a prerequisite for the last 20 years of my life. Here are 2 favorites from the book, Flirting with Firemen Chili and the link to Absolutely Best Brownies, Kid tested and approved.
1.5poundsground beefI use a mix of beef and ground turkey or chicken 2:1
2cupscanned crushed tomatoesI use a 15 oz can of fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 15ouncecan of beef broth
3Tchili powder
1.5tcumin
1/2toregano
1tsalt
1 15ouncecan of kidney beans or pinto beans or black beansdrained and rinsed
Instructions
Heat oil in large pot. Add the onions and saute over med heat until soft and transparent looking about 8 minutes. Add garlic and bell pepper and saute for additional 2-3 minutes. Stir in ground beef and cook until it loses pink color. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, breaking up the beef with a fork or spoon. Add tomatoes, broth, spices and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for approximately 2 hours until chili thickens a little. Add beans. Ladle into bowls, garnish with shredded cheese and green onions.
I add corn (frozen is fine) 1-2 cups because what kid doesn't like corn and to spice it up I will add hot sauce like Cholula which is a little sweeter than Tabasco.
