One More Detour on the Writing Road

I had planned to make a batch of my usual oatmeal-pecan cookies this evening, but as I poked around my bookmarks for the recipe I stumbled over this brownie recipe. I had plenty of the KA white whole wheat flour. No chocolate chips, but three Cadbury Royal Dark bars that I wasn't too crazy about. I even had instant espresso powder, which may not have been quite what was asked for, but probably worked fine. The kitchen smells lovely, and the dough tasted like the richest dark chocolate pudding or mousse. Heaven only knows what it would have tasted like with really good cocoa and chocolate.

I used a glass baking pan, and that may have been a mistake. I think I recall reading in multiple recipes that if a glass pan is used, the baking temp should be lowered, frex to 325F if 350F is called for. Didn't do that, and it looks as though the edges may have overbaked. Not that I mind crispy/crunchy, as long as it doesn't segue into burnt. They advise letting these brownies sit for 24 hours to give the whole wheat bran time to dissolve/assimilate/whatever. I will do that because I already had dessert this evening and I honestly don't care for fresh from the oven flavors. It may work with bread, but anything more complicated needs time to evolve, imho. So the brownies, they shall sit. I'll survive on the aroma until tomorrow.

Funny thing. I clicked on the recipe link that took me to the KA bittersweet chocolate chip page, and whose 5-star imprimatur should I find but matociquala's. I will have to give that chocolate a try.

I even did laundry this evening. Go me.

Can haz chocolate things. Hazelnuts are delicious. Saving the chocolate for the weekend as a special treat. Am dismayed that I have no demitasse cups to serve up the brew good and proper.

The chocolate is solid stuff that is whisked with milk to make hot chocolate.

Mille grazie!

I've had some wonderful desserts over the years. Flourless chocolates cakes. Apple dumplings. Creamy bread puddings--don't roll your eyes at me I love bread pudding--and fruit cobblers.

But my favorite way to end a meal is with a couple of pieces of good chocolate, 3 or 4 plain cookies (butter, vanilla wafers, shortbread), and the last of the wine or a fresh cup of coffee.

Performance evaluations and goals at the day job, inserted around the start of the year ramp-up. Looking forward to the weekend, in other words.

Illinois is starting Vote by Mail...or maybe they've had it for a while and I just didn't know about it. Anyway, part of the weekend will be spent reading about the candidates and making decisions. Need to mail the thing on Monday.

Received a lovely piece of art in the mail, courtesy of Elizabeth Gibson. The title is "Unconditional," and that just about says it all:

Unconditional

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I found out about her during an artists' shout-out over at Balloon Juice--every so often, John Cole has readers post links to their own creations or those of friends. While there, I also followed a link to Demilune Jewelry, and bought a lovely pair of sterling wires with red stones.

Art and jewelry...what else does a girl need? Chocolate! I recommend the Gourmet Drinking Chocolate from King Arthur Flour. By Guittard. It's not ground, as the ad says, in perfect little bite-size chunks. 65% cacao, which isn't dark enough for some, but I think it's the best dark chocolate I have ever had.

coffeeinhell, in the guise of Polidori Chocolates, Is the purveyor of some mighty tasty treats, including marshmallows, truffles, and now, S'Mores kits. I have enjoyed the truffles in the past, and the marshmallows.

Many items are available for sale. Please have a look. Polidori's is a business that merits wider exposure. And more sales.