Wednesday, April 27, 2011

BROWNIES 18



I think it's time to introduce you to the new members of the Brownieville world.  You already know me, my other half (Brownieville Man) my taste testers supreme Brownieville Boys #1 and #2 (although brownieville boy #2 would prefer to be referred to as "the talented one" or "the brilliant one" or even "the handsome one"!!! ) The new members of the team are Brownieville Brother-in-Law (BVBIL), Brownieville Boy #3 (not very interested in anything other than football!!) Brownieville Boy #4 (another fantastic taste tester) and Brownieville Princess (who will keep me baking or else!!!!!).*

Dom over at Belleau Kitchen has challenged us to bake a random recipe from our first ever cook book - well my first ever cook book was "Look I Can Cook" (the orange omelet being a particular favourite!) but that book has gone the same way as my youth and disappeared forever!!!!!  I imagine that I share Delia's "Complete Illustrated Cookery Course" with many others as my first cookbook that I still possess, so cheating a little I asked Brownieville Princess to choose a recipe for us to bake - she wasn't impressed that there were no cupcakes or muffins, and compromised with Delia's "American Brownies"..



I have to say that BVP chose well - these are good brownies, rich, chocolaty and squidgy.  These little treats head straight to near the top of the list, I'm thinking second or third place - I made a double quantity and they lasted about 10 minutes (I am cooking for alot of people these days) not bad going!!

*Brownieville Sister #2, Brownieville BIL #2, and Brownieville Boys #5 and  #6, and Brownieville Baby should also be mentioned!



American Brownies

110g             Butter
50g               Plain Chocolate (I used 80%)
2                   Eggs, beaten
225g             Granulated Sugar
50g               Sifted Flour
1 tsp             Baking Powder
110g            Chopped Nuts (I left these out BVP is not a fan)

Preheat oven to 180 C
Line a 7 x 11 tin with baking paper

Melt the butter and chocolate over a double boiler.
Stir the other ingredients into the butter and chocolate mixture.
Mix well and then pour into the prepared tin spreading out evenly.
Bake for 30 minutes (mine took 45!) until the mixture shows signs of shrinking away from the sides and the centre feels springy.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then divide into small pieces (it's rich!) and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.


Doubles well ..... Enjoy!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

SIMPLE SAMBO




This is a sandwich combination that my late sister (oh, how I hate the past tense) introduced me to - and I have been addicted ever since.  I haven't had much of an appetite over the past weeks, but recently I remembered how much she loved these panini and have been indulging in one most days - they can only be described as tasty, but really intensely deliciously tasty!

Goats cheese is lower fat than most other cheeses, if you roast your own tomatoes (I just bung some in the oven when it is heating up for, and cooling down from, other dishes - a day or two of this popping in and out of the oven leaves perfect sun (!) dried tomatoes), they need just a splash of oil - making this a healthy and delicious lunch.




Best Ever Panini

Ciabatta Bread
Goats Cheese (I like the cheese from a log)
Sunblushed Tomatoes
Black Olives


Make your sandwich and toast!
I sometimes use this combination on an open toasted sandwich using brown bread instead of the ciabatta - even healthier!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011




I have been blessed with the two best sisters anyone could wish for, we have always been incredibly close and supportive of each other.  My nearest sister (in both age and geography) has always been very enthusiastic about this blog, and has often mentioned how she loves when I personalise the posts, mentioning different family events and occasions.  She told me that when the blog started that I sounded like quite the alcholic!! (not bad for someone who has about two drinks a week!)

It is with the heaviest possible heart that I speak about her recent death in this post - she was such a huge part of my life that this tragic event cannot go unmentioned.  She was always the most generous of people and even at this time she has given me the most precious of gifts - to be allowed to share in the care and nurturing of her three wonderful young children - they were the center of her world, and I just hope I can do half as good a job as she would have.