TWD Rick Katz's Brownies for Julia

Tanya at Chocolatechic is the host this week for an over the top brownie recipe. I had to read the instructions a couple of times as I made this recipe. The mixing method was unique but the end result was fabulous.

I love brownies and this recipe did not disappoint. I prefer the 'edges' of a brownie especially if the recipe tends to be of the 'fudgy, chewy variety. The middle of such a brownie is often too fudgy. Long story short my daughter suggested baking brownies in a muffin pan--more edges. I tried it with this recipe, it made 18 wonderful, edgy brownies. My muffin brownies required chilling before removing from the pans.

This is a delicate, rich, decedent treat. My individual brownie 'cakes' would be delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I certainly will make them again as they are a 5 star treat! Check the TWD blog roll to see what other bakers thought of this recipe.

Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake

Can one have too many chocolate cake recipes? The answer is simple, no. This oft requested chocolate orange bundt cake has been a hit for years. It looks elegant, tastes delicious, serves a crowd and is simple to make. This moist cake improves with age and is covered with smooth decedent ganache, Serve it with vanilla ice cream and you have one classy dessert.

Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake

1 chocolate cake mix

1 cup sour cream

1 small package instant chocolate fudge pudding mix

4 eggs

½ cup vegetable oil

½ cup water

¼ cup double strength hot chocolate (cooled)

2 Tablespoons orange zest

Place all ingredients in bowl of mixer and beat about 3 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured (I spray with Bakers Joy or Pam with Flour) 10 inch bundt or springform pan. Bake 350 degrees about 50 minutes until center is set. Cool and remove from pan. Top with Ganache.

Ganache

12 ounce package chocolate chips, semi sweet, milk or bittersweet (I like a combination)

1 cup heavy cream

Heat cream until just boiling. Pour over chocolate chips and let sit for 1 minute, stir till melted. Chill until Ganache is the desired thickness, pour over chilled cake.

The recipe originated from Marguerite Henderson. Enjoy!

TWD Milk Chocolate Mini Bundt Cakes

Well friends I'm afraid to say that we have another 5 star recipe. It is rich, delicious and cute. I don't know what it is about mini pans, they are just fun to use and fun to serve. Dories recipe made 6 mini bundts but my Pampered Chef Mini-Bundt Stoneware pan must make bigger cakes, I only had batter for 4 minis. These minis really were too big for one serving, we cut them in half for a generous serving. Which defeats the purpose of a Mini, maybe that is why PC no longer sells this piece of stoneware. Sorry, more pointless info.

The important info will be on  Kristins blog 'I'm Right About Everything', she is hosting  TWD this week. This recipe used 'premium-quality' milk chocolate, melted. I had a yummy bar of milk chocolate just waiting for the right recipe. The cake had a mild milk chocolate flavor with a delicious cocoa-walnut swirl. I topped my cakes with a generous drizzle of chocolate ganache. Served with vanilla ice cream it was a delicious special occasion dessert.

I will make this recipe again, I would like to try it without the swirl in cupcake pans. Can one really have too many chocolate cake recipes? I think not! I'm anxious to see what other TWD bakers did with this recipe.

Quilt in a Day (or year)

I think I like to cook because you get instant gratification. If you mix butter, sugar, flour. salt, eggs and chocolate you have yummy treats in 12 minutes. That is my kind of project. I didn't mind the cookie bars I made with TWD, they mix up fairly quick, bake 25 minutes, cool 2 hours and then refrigerate for an hour. A little more involved but I am ok with it. I have beans soaking overnight so I can make refried beans tomorrow. Not quite instant, I even like to bake with yeast which does require some patience. Where is this post going?

It is about a hobby that is NOT instant! I sewed for the first 12 years of marriage, I made about everything my kids wore--it was out of necessity but I enjoyed the creative outlet. I took classes, I taught classes. So I'm excited to get back into sewing; more specifcaly quilting, less calories.

A sweet gal in our neighborhood was willing to teach a beginning quilting class. I was excited, the quilt was entitled  'Quilt in a Day', it is a 'tossed nine patch', I can do this I thought. I had no problem purchasing the fabric. I am good at buying supplies and patterns, oh the possibilities. I got started...then a year passed. So much for the 'quilt in a day'. Thanks to the encouragement of the ladies in our quilt club and a excited three year old, I finally finished my 'Quilt in a Day'.

I was so proud of myself for finishing a project that had been on my to do list for 70 weeks! I have another quilt started, it's not moving much faster. I want to make a quilt for each of my grandchildren. One done, nine to go. I hope no one is in a hurry to get their quilt!

TWD: Cocoa-nana Bread

 I'm not usually a fan of banana bread--it tastes so much like bananas. Well Dorie has solved that problem quite nicely. The addition of cocoa and semi-sweet chocolate gives banana bread an entire new look and taste. I think it is delicious. Dorie describes the bread as cracked with crevices along the top. My loaves certainly were cracked with crevices, and it's ok!

I cooked my bread in Pampered Chefs Stoneware Mini Loaf pan. I wanted to share this delicious treat, I love the cute little loaves this pan produces. I am a fan of Semi-Sweet baking bars made by Ghirardelli, little bits of this bar really added to the fun flavor of the bread.

I would say this bread was a delicious success. Steph at "obsessed with baking" is the host this week, check her blog for the recipe. The blogroll at TWD is a fun place to see what many other bakers did with this recipe.

TWD Chocolate Oatmeal Almost- Candy Bars

I am officially a member of Tuesdays With Dorie. I have loved Dorie's cookbook 'Baking from My Home to Yours' for quite sometime. I enjoy her fun writing style, it is almost like she is in your kitchen coaching you along. Her recipes are some of the best I have made in my 45 year baking adventure!

 Chocolate Oatmeal Almost-Candy Bars was chosen by Lilian at Confectiona's Realm she will post the recipe. I have just one word for these bars--delicious! It is a fudgy oatmeal cookie with peanuts. This cookie bar was easy to put together, the most difficult task was trying to get the lid off the sweetened condensed milk. I think I need a new can opener.

The recipe makes a 9x13 pan, yes that is a lot of rich treats. I'm excited to share them with my Mom, my hairdresser, my neighbors and I think I will send a few to our missionary son. These bars are great chilled or at room temp. I have sampled them both ways (several times).  They are loaded with oatmeal so I thought a taste for breakfast must be a good thing. It was.

This is a 5 star recipe, I will make them again, soon. Check the TWD Blogroll and see what other bakers thought of this treat.

Roasted Vegetables

This simple recipe is perfect for cold winter days. It is a great side for fish, chicken or steak.

Roasted Vegetables
Potatoes scrubbed with skins on, cut in chunks (about the size of a large walnut)
Carrots, peeled cut in 2-inch pieces
Onions, peeled quartered
Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut in 1-inch slices
Salt
Pepper
Paparika
Garlic Powder
Italian Seasoning
Olive Oil

Put Veggies in a large bowl, season and drizzle with olive oil. Stir well, vegetables should just be lightly coated. Pour vegetables on a lightly greased pan--I use a stoneware bar pan. Veggies should be just one layer. Cook at 450 for 30 minutes, turning once, veggies should be tender and browned.
In the same bowl you had your veggies in add:
Mushrooms, halved
small Zucchini, sliced
Red Pepper, slices
Stir together, season and add to your veggies the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Serve with a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, thyme.
This recipe is just a place to begin, use different seasonings you might try adding parsnips, turnips, celery, asparagus or green beans. You can cook this dish at 350 degrees for about 1 hour 15 minutes.
But I am usually in a hurry!

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