Some mad chocolate brownies.

This is the recipe I use for the baddest, and by that I mean goodest, brownies ever.  They are crazy rich and chocolate-y with an amazing ratio of ingredients.  The first time I made them 6 years ago I couldn't believe it.  1 pound of butter, half a dozen eggs, almost 2 pounds of chocolate, and 1 little cup of flour.  In-sane.  It does make an entire half sheet pan though so it makes a ton and makes lots and lots of people like you.  These are for our Halloween party at work-  Happy Halloween everyone!

Outrageous Brownies

1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Prep Time:

30 min

Inactive Prep Time:

hr min

Cook Time:

35 min

Level:

Intermediate

Serves:

20 large brownies

Ingredients:


1 pound unsalted butter
1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
6 extra-large eggs
3 tablespoons instant coffee granules
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt


Butter and flour a 12 x 18 x 1-inch baking sheet.

Melt together the butter, 1 pound of chocolate chips, and the unsweetened chocolate in a medium bowl over simmering water. Allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl, stir (do not beat) together the eggs, coffee granules, vanilla, and sugar. Stir the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup of flour, the baking powder, and salt. Add to the cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and 12 ounces of chocolate chips in a medium bowl with 1/4 cup of flour, then add them to the chocolate batter. Pour into the baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes, then rap the baking sheet against the oven shelf to force the air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Bake for about 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake! Allow to cool thoroughly, refrigerate, a into 20 large squares.

Porcelain pin.

I found this little gem at Odd Fellows Antiques in downtown Berkley.  I really love old pins and brooches- the outdoor scene is great and it's signed too which always special.

IM and TGG

Monday night I went with my great friend Brandi to see Ingrid Michaelson at The Crofoot in Pontiac.  She was amazing and I am a total fan for life after her great show.  Plus she is sarcastic and surprisingly funny.  The Guggenheim Grotto opened for her and they were fantastic too.  I am a sucker for cute Irishmen and these two guys are really talented to boot.  I bought one of their CDs, Happy the Man, and they both signed it for me.  Pretty good for a Monday.

$10 bookcase.

I found this really nifty bookcase at Green Daffodil Studio in Ferndale, at 624 Livernois Street.  Their hours are a little hit or miss, but I always find things I love there.  This was only $10 with really neat brass hardware and some interesting wood detailing. 

Please return your tray to the upright position.

So a few months ago my friend Sarah's family hosted an estate sale.  I stopped by and bought a few small kitchen-y things, and also got this set of eight small snack dishes.  They are beautiful bright white and the bottoms are marked Delta Airlines, Pfaltzgraff.  These cuties were actually used back in the day when airlines served actual food on actual dishes.  So neat, and very Mad Men if you ask me.

More Chuck please.

Chuck Roast!  Here are the before (with a pan-seared 2.5 lb. chuck roast) and after of the crock-pot awesomeness.  I get many of my recipes from www.allrecipes.com, and the particular recipe I worked from can be found here:  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Maries-Easy-Slow-Cooker-Pot-Roast/Detail.aspx

I added more vegetables, including sweet potatoes and mushrooms, and a ton of carrots.  And I think using red wine instead of water would be a nice upgrade....maybe next time. 

More glass.

I have a few fun vintage bottles and glass pieces in my bathroom.  When mixed with an antique barber mirror it makes for a clean and clear display that reflects light from the bathroom window.  I never spend much on any of the clear glass pieces, but when grouped together they look pretty fancy.

ice cream dishes

For as much as I love ice cream, and believe that it should be a food group in and of itself, I have never owned a set of ice cream dishes.  These lovelies came from a recent visit to Traverse City and Union Antiques, located at 128 S. Union Street, right downtown.  I know my friend Running Boy-Man will appreciate the deliciousness of the Trader Joe's Nonfat Frozen Yogurt with mini chocolate chips!