Dulce de Leche Brownies made by Amber

 Beautiful Photography by the talented Amber Linderman Photography

I have mentioned before that my gals are great cooks--we live miles apart but we are always sharing menus, food ideas and new recipes. This recipe comes to us from David Lebovitz-a foodie that resides in London.
Amber made it, was amazed and promptly sent pictures out to each of us--to share the recipe and to make us slightly jealous that we weren't eating this yummy confection! I think it worked--we will all be making this before the weekend is up. One slight change--Amber opted to spread the nuts on the top of the finished brownie. That way she can please even those who aren't fond of nuts. Brilliant idea Amber.
On to the recipe:

Dulce de Leche Brownies--from Amber

8 tablespoons butter, diced

6 ounces bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

1/4 cup Dutch Process Cocoa Powder, Unsweetened

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1 cup toasted pecans or walnuts

1 cup Dulce de Leche

Line an 8-inch  square pan with a foil sling, spray with Pam. this will insure the brownies will not stick and will help in the removal of the brownies.
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the chocolate pieces and stir constantly over very low heat until the chocolate is melted. I have been know to do this step in the microwave. My microwave has a setting just for chocolate melting. I love it, I use it! Remove from heat/microwave and whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth. Add in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the sugar, vanilla and flour. Mix in the nuts or reserve for sprinkling on top. Now have fun!
Scrape half of the batter into the prepared pan. Drop one-third of the Dulce de Leche, evenly spaced, over the brownie batter, then drag a knife through to swirl it slightly. Spread the remaining brownie batter over, then drop spoonfuls of the remaining Dulce de Leche in dollops over the top of the brownie batter. Use a knife to swirl the Dulce de Leche slightly. Sprinkle nuts on top if desired.
Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes. Brownies will be done when center feels just slightly firm. Cool completely. Remove from pan, remove foil. Cut into smallish squares--they are rich. Enjoy!
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Packable Brownies
Ghirardelli Classic Brown Sugar Brownie
Peanut Butter Cup Blondie
White Chocolate Browned Butter Blondie
Secret Recipe Club Brownie--Danielle's Brownie

Oreo Cheesecake Bites ala Jess

My sweet Daughter-in-Law Jess came to visit the other day. She brought dessert, she brought amazing dessert. We ate it and enjoyed every bite. Good job Jess. Dessert is always welcome at our home! This rich dessert feeds a crowd, it also keep well in the refrigerator for several days. Tightly wrapped it will keep for a month in the freezer. Wouldn't it be great to have a few goodies in the freezer for unexpected company--great idea!

Oreo Cheesecake a la Jess
36 Oreo Cookies
4 tablespoons butter
4 8 ounce packages of cream cheese--softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
4 ounces semi-sweet melts--purchased at Winco or Gygis
4 ounces vanilla melts--purchased at Winco or Gygis
Line a 9x13 inch pan with foil--leave a 2 inch overhang--this will help in removing the bars. Spray the foil with Pam.
Finely crush 24 of the Oreos, add melted butter and combine. Press Oreo crumbs onto the bottom of the 9x13 pan, put in the freezer while mixing filling.
Beat the soften cream cheese till smooth. add sugar and mix well. Gently add sour cream and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time--beat gently after each addition. Coarsely chop the remaining cookies and fold them into the batter. Remove crust from the freezer--pour filling over crust. Bake at 325 for 35-40 minutes. Cheesecake is done when the sides are set and the center is almost set. Cool completely on a rack, When cool cover with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for 2 hours. When cold remove cheesecake from the pan using the foil over hangs--aren't you glad you left them! Remove foil and cut in bite size bars, these are quite rich so keep squares small. Put cheesecake bites on parchment paper. Put semi sweet chocolate melts in a heavy baggie. Melt in the microwave at 30 second intervals, knead the chocolate until it is melted and smooth. Cut a small hole in the corner of the bag and drizzle the chocolate onto the bars--have fun. It is good to drizzle! Repeat with the white chocolate. The chocolate will harden quite quickly but as with any good cheesecake the flavors will marry and be much better tomorrow. Tightly wrapped these bites will keep several days in the fridge. Wrapped tightly they will keep a month in the freezer. Thanks Jess
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Inspired by Kraft

Coconut Lime Rice with Cilantro

This delicious rice stands on its own; adding coconut milk gives it a rich creamy flavor. I served it with a salmon dish but I'm sure it will taste great with Thai or even Mexican. Flavorful rice with a pop of lime, sides don't get much better!

Coconut Lime Rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 cup Basmati rice
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup coconut milk
Sea Salt--to taste
1/2 cup cilantro
Juice from 1-2 limes
Heat oil in a saucepan add garlic and cook 1 minute--stir constantly.
Add rice and cook 4 minutes--stir often.
Add chicken broth, coconut milk and sea salt, bring to a boil, stir.
Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook 20 minutes.
Remove pan from heat, let sit covered for 5 minutes.
Fluff rice, add cilantro and lime juice.
Enjoy!
Printable Recipe
There are many versions of this recipe. I based my recipe on one from The Love of Cooking, but I had to add lime juice because everything tastes better with a splash of lime! 

Low an Slow Cooked Salmon

I live in land locked Utah where fresh sea food usually isn't that fresh. But, I happen to have brothers that venture to Alaska each summer to fish. They bring back fresh salmon, halibut and shrimp and they are nice enough to share. Here is my latest attempt to cook salmon.
I have a delicious Teryiaki Salmon recipe that I make often but as a true foodie I am always looking for something better/different/new. And I found it! This recipe cooks salmon at a low heat for a longer period of time, it stays moist and delicious. Give it a try, it just may become you new favorite way to cook salmon.

Low an Slow Cooked Salmon
12 ounces of salmon that has been out of the refrigerator for 30 minutes--this makes 2 servings
Sliced orange and lemon
Zest of one lemon
1 shallot, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped basil, cilantro or other fresh herb
1 teaspoon dried dill--I recommend Pampered Chef's All Purpose Dill Mix
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt
Mix herbs, zest, shallot and dill together, add oil and form a thick paste. Cover a baking pan with foil. Layer orange and lemon slices on pan--about the size of the fish you are using. Figure 6 ounces per person. This recipe was created using a 12 ounce piece of salmon. Put the salmon on the fruit slices. Cover the top of the salmon with the herb mixture. Sprinkle with sea salt.
Bake in a heated 250 degree oven--put a round cake pan half full of water on the rack just lower than you salmon. Bake the salmon at 250 for about 30 minutes. My salmon piece was very thick--I needed the full 30 minutes and then a few. Fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
I served this salmon with some delicious Coconut Lime Rice and some steamed spinach. It was perfect!
Printable Recipe
I read several recipes on this method of cooking The Kitchn had some great helps as did Steamy Kitchen. Oh please don't judge this wonderful dish by this poor photo--it is delicious!