now appearing: brownies (no photo available)

i made the delicious coma-inducing brownies on saturday. i was meaning to take a picture but before i recovered from the chocolate haze the pan was all soapy in the sink. without any hyperbole at all i feel safe in saying that these brownies cannot be beat-- not with a big thorny club or with any kind of superbrownie you might propose. i hijacked the recipe from CHOW
i truly hope the 'we've temporarily suspaended publication' has some shadow of truth to it because this magazine kicks much ass. in any case, i addedd a teaspoon or so of cayenne to the melted chocolate/butter (mmmm) mix. they turned out dang tasty if i do say so myself-- hothothot from the oven with one perfect scoop of vanilla bean ice cream = day long sugar coma--but so worth it.

CHOW's Intense Brownies
6oz bitterswet choc (i used 65% dark)
1 stick unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1 c granulated sugar
1 tb unsweetened cocoa powder
1 t vanilla extract
1 t brewed espresso (seriously. who has brewed espresso of any quality on hand? i live for coffee and i skipped this ingredient)
3/4 t salt
1 c all-purpose flour (i used 3/4 c all purpose and 1/4 c whole wheat because i like to pretend that i'm healthy)

1- preheat oven to 350 and place rack in the middle of the oven. line and 8x8 inch glass baking dish with aluminium foil (again. extra step and not at all needed. i buttered the pan with the paper the stick'o'budda was wrapped in and it washed up clean as a whistle no problem)

2- in a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat stir the choc and budda together until just melted. set aside to cool (i'm guessing that they assume that the kids know enough to use a double boiler to melt said choc&budda. hint: use a double boiler.)

3- mix together the eggs, sugar, cocoa, vanilla, [espresso], and salt. add cooled (room temp) choc and mix well. fold in the flour until just incorporated.

4- turn the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake until a tester comes outclean when inserted in the thickest part, about 25 - 30 minutes. place on a wire rack to cool before cutting. (i always have to bake this more like 35 - 40 minutes)

you'll want to clear your schedule and avoid driving for several hours after you 'test' your creation.