Brownie Chews

OK, let's be honest with each other.  Some recipes are made from the best mistakes ever.  Some mistakes, turn into beautiful, chewy, decadent, better than s...well a lot of things, brownie chews.  Some recipes just do that.  Here is my story....

Many of you know we just went through a horrible life situation and while my son was in the hospital, I took a walk and found myself in the hospital gift shop.  Do hospital gift shops have the CUTEST stuff or is it just me?  I find myself actually excited to visit someone so I can go to the gift shop.  Sad.  But true.  Anyway, I needed some chocolate and FINALLY was able to pick up a bag of Sheila G's Brownie Brittle.  As it turned out I got 2 pieces while my son finished off the bag.  Undeniably, they are awesome,  really.  And while I am not a "crunchy edges" kind of girl, they were just the bomb.  (I am the chewy stuff inside girl)  So I set out to make my own version.  I didn't want to use a box brownie mix, (pats self on the back).  I found a recipe for it at www.babble.com.  I tried this recipe, and it burned.  So the second time I tried it, I decided to experiment.  Lord help us all, because it worked.  I decided instead of double baking them, I was going to bake them one time.  Their recipe calls for putting them in the oven a second time and I just didn't feel like I wanted to do that.  So I didn't.  Just thank me now if you want.  If you are the chewy stuff in the middle kind of person, just THANK ME NOW!

So while these ingredients are the same as the recipe, the method is very different and outcome is even better, I think, that you can imagine.  Let me share with you my happy experiment, wait, or was it an accident?

You will need:

1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg white
1/3 cup flour
3 tbsp. cocoa powder
 3/4 tsp. baking soda
pinch of salt
mini chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare a standard size cookie sheet, by spraying with nonstick cooking spray, laying a piece of parchment over it and then spraying again with nonstick cooking spray.  OR, use a silicone mat.   (SILPAT people feel free to send me a nice one)

I melted my butter right in my mixing bowl in the micro, then add sugar and vanilla, mix until combined.  Add in your egg white, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and pinch of salt, whisk until smooth and whisk lickable.

Now pour on to your prepared pan.  Spread it out a LITTLE bit, maybe 8x11 maybe 10x12, no bigger, remember it will spread in the hot oven.

Bake for 14 minutes, remove from the oven, sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, any amount you deem acceptable and let cool completely.  You can cut with a knife or use kitchen shears like I did.  They will be chewy, and perfect.  I have no more to say, just make them, please.

ENJOY!

Cheesy Broccoli and Chicken Bake

A good evening to you all.  I always say that, don't I?  How should I start?  I mean the options are HOLLAAAAA, or like........YO.  No, those won't work.  Anyway, it IS a good evening, when I am writing this anyway and I hope it is for you too!

Summer has sprung.  I know we are all doing a lot more cooking outdoors but, sometimes, indoor cooking is our choice too!  We still have families to feed or maybe only ourselves.  In fact this recipe will do fantastic in the freezer if you have to many leftovers.  Those of you who are single will love to know that.  You can take out the broccoli, it will still be delish, but, honestly, if you take out the broccoli put in peas or something green.  Cause I am the mom that's why!

Enjoy this easy, and yummy casserole that is sure to fill up the tummies of all you love!

2 T butter
1/4 cup finely minced onion
1/4 cup flour
2 3/4 cups milk
1 T. onion powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
16 oz. pasta, cooked to al dente
2-3 large chicken breasts, cooked and diced
16 oz. bag of frozen broccoli
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)

If you cook your pasta in salted water, make sure to keep the water when you are done and cook your chicken in it.  Drain your pasta and set aside.  Return pot to stove top and add butter and onions.  Let onions cook for 2-3 minutes, while stirring. 

Add in flour and allow to cook while stirring for about 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.  Add in onion powder, salt, pepper and milk.  Let come back to a boil, stirring often.  Add in chicken and broccoli.  Remove from heat and add in 1 1/2 cups of your cheese.  Stir and pour into a greased 9x13 casserole dish.  Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and back for 20-30 minutes.  

This is a really easy recipe that is usually a winner for anyone I make it for!

ENJOY!