02 March 2007

In pursuit of happiness

What makes me happy?? Chocolate of course.

Whatever the question, chocolate is always the answer. And what's better on a cold winter day, than a warm succulent delicious chocolate brownie?? With a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg enhance the bittersweet flavor of chocolate.

To tell the truth, I made it for January's Sugar High Friday, but never managed to get around to posting it. I was in the mood for a warm chocolate dessert, but not cake. This recipe on epicurious.com beckoned, and it was a breeze. I tweaked the chocolate quantities in the mix, and the result was fabulous.

And the little gourmet loved it too. She refused to call it a brownie. She named it 'kozha kozha (very sticky/messy) brown cake'.

I've now added this to my collection of 'gifting recipes'... no-brainer edible gifts for all occasions.


Brownies

1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 pinch salt
100 grams milk chocolate, chopped
100 grams bittersweet chocolate, chopped
130 grams unsalted butter, diced, room temperature
4 large eggs
50 grams sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup walnuts (toasted and chopped)

Preheat oven to 170°C.
Generously butter 9x11-inch baking pan and dust with flour.
Sift salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and flour.
Stir chocolate and butter in a bowl set over simmering water until melted and smooth. Turn off heat. Let chocolate stand over water.
Beat eggs and sugar in large bowl until mixture thickens and falls in soft ribbon when beaters are lifted. It should have tripled in volume.
Add vanilla. Add flour mix in 2 additions. Blend well after each.
Add chocolate to egg mixture, beating until just combined.
Stir in walnuts.
Pour batter into panand bake brownies until top is set and tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 35 minutes.
Cool completely.

Ganache
100 grams bittersweet chocolate, chopped
80 grams milk chocolate, chopped
20 grams butter
2 tbsp whipping cream

Whisk all ingredients in small saucepan over medium-low heat until melted and smooth. Pour evenly over brownies in pan.

Chill brownies until ganache is set.
Cut into squares.

And then it's time to sit back and enjoy a warm brownie, with just that subtle tang of spice. Mmmm... bliss... That's what happiness is all about.

7 comments:

jacob said...

nice! how come no posts on your other blog?

Vidya said...

that's a good question :) no inspiration

Anonymous said...

Hey V! I can't believe you found time to cook and actually write about it too! And the garnishes and presentation look marvelous!

How are you doing otherwise? I meant to email you but never got around to doing that. I figured I'd leave you a comment and was pleasantly surprised at the number of food posts! You go, super-girl! :) Hows little A? Does she sleep well at night?

M is starting daycare from tomorrow and I'm a little bit of a mess right now. But the caregiver we found was a very nice lady and takes care of only one other child right now.

You take care now, dear Vidya and pass on my hugs to the little ones.

Vidya said...

Thanks, Vani... Well, when i feel the need for comfort food, i just go ahead and make some and binge... and the hell with calories... i am a nursing mother after all... hahaha... my old jeans are still protesting, but with such awful weather, comfort food does make the day seem brighter.

sleeping patterns?? my kids take it in turns to nap.. so one is always awake to keep me company.. ergo, more comfort food!

Anonymous said...

great Brownies...I am trying all sorts of choc recipes...not easy as it seems at first...ah well...thanks for sharing your pursuit of happiness...take care...~smile~

Anonymous said...

Absolutely no calorie counting while nursing!
This weekend was the first weekend that N & I had to manage alone with the baby. You should see us struggling - juggling pending work in the house (not a whole lot considering my mil cooked loads of food and my freezer is full and my fil got all our clothes laundered for next week before they left) but just the amount of attention M requires is finally dawning on us. We never realized when it was 4 of us sharing. I can imagine how with 2 kids you must be fantasizing about 3 full hours of uninterrupted sleep or me-time! :) Winter time does not help much either, huh? I am so impressed that you're managing so well, V! Keep the comfort food coming!
Take care, Super-girl! Will be back to check on you again soon :)

Shella said...

Wow that sure will make anybody happy - me certainly....looks so absolutely awesome