The famous Brownies

After many requests, I am finally posting the Brownies recipe.

Brownies are super popular in North America and have been taking over in Spain lately. People rave about them and cannot get enough of them! I have made this recipe many times and people keep on asking for more :)

Brownies

Ingredients:
3 eggs
1 cooking chocolate bar (about 180grs)
1/2 cup of butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsps of cocoa powder
1 cup of chocolate chips (if desired)
3/4 cup of flour
1/4 tsp of salt
1 cup of white sugar

In a bain marie, melt the chopped chocolate and cubed butter.

When completely melted, remove bowl from bain marie.

Add vanilla extract.

 

Add the sugar and cocoa powder. Mix well.

Add the eggs one by one and mix well in between each. If you are like me and forgot (as by the picture), try mixing each egg before moving to the other.

Add the flour and mix well.

Time for chocolate chips.

Mix well and pour in a buttered oven dish. I also add sometimes some parchment paper at the bottom so it doesn't stick.

Cook for about 25 - 30 minutes. The trick to brownies is getting them done on the outside and still moist in the middle. Use a toothpick to check and when the middle of the brownie has some moist crumbles on it when you remove it, it is ready.

And here you have the already started wonder at our Canada Day Party this year!

Enjoy :)

2kgs of salt to cook?!

Of course! Who would have thought that so much salt would be so juicy and tasty! Everytime I make this dish, people rave about it. When I explain them the process, they cannot believe that such a simple way of cooking gives such amazing results.

Cooking with large salt can be done with many meats but especially fish. The most common version in Spain is Dorada a la sal (Dorada is called Gilthead Bream fish...)

So here goes

Dorada a la Sal

Ingredients:

3 doradas (or as many that fit in your oven!)
2 kgs of salt
water

Preheat oven at 180C.

Cover the bottom of an oven dish with salt.

Place the doradas on top.

Cover the doradas with salt and leave the eye uncovered. It is your temperature meter!

Sprinkle a bit of water to make it stick if it doesn't.

Cook in the oven for about 20 minutes and check the eye to see if it is done. If it is white, the fish is cooked!

Now comes the fun part: breaking the salt and removing the fish without getting too much salt inside. Go slowly at it until you find a good method. The salt should not stick to the meat.

Serve your fish as is on a plate with a side dish of salad, rice, pasta or potatoes.

And there you have it! I really recommend this recipe. The meat has an amazing taste and is super juicy!

Enjoy :)

I'm back to blogging!

As my post title states it: I'm back! After many months of not being able to dedicate any time to blogging (cooking was still acheived, not to worry), I am back and finally managed a few moments to update things.

I have FINALLY finished my MBA in June and have been really busy at work lately. I know, no real excuse but that's the only one there is :).

So, in order to kick off my blog again, I decided to post this lovely recipe with fall feeling: Pumpkin risotto.

I have been trying to incorporate more vegetarian dishes in our menu since it is cheaper and better for you. As well, since I eat at work and David eats home, he doesn't "absorb" as much veggies or fruits as I would like... men...

Pumpkin Risotto

 

Ingredients:



200grs of pumpkin
1 onion
1 garlic clove
1 cup of round rice
1/2 cup white wine
2 cups of vegetable broth (or chicken)
parsley
salt and pepper
oil

Remove skin and fillings from pumpkin and dice the meat.

Slice onion and garlic.

In a pan, heat oil. When ready, add the onion and garlic. Sweat for a few minutes.

Add the pumpkin.

Cook for a few minutes until meat starts softening.

In the meantime, heat the broth.

Add the rice. Mix well.

Add the wine and reduce.

Slowly add the broth as it gets absorbed by the rice.

 Add parsley, salt and pepper.

Mix well continuously.

And there you have it. A super easy, simple, cheap and healthy recipe for your table!

Enjoy! :)