The best Triple Choc Brownies recipe

The taste.com.au forum has been closed, and with it went a wonderful source of inspiration for me :(

I recently tried a packet mix for Triple Choc Brownies from RedPawPaw (see my review post HERE), and whilst it was good, it can't beat my tried and true recipe, from one of the early Cook's Club Challenges I took part in, back in 2008.

Jazzie’s Triple Choc Brownies - these really are the BEST!

making it from scratch ............ the only way

185g (6 oz) butter
185g (6 oz) dark chocolate, chopped
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups caster sugar
1 tbsp vanilla
2/3 cup plain flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
¾ cup white chocolate chips or roughly chopped
¾ cup milk chocolate chips or roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. 

Place butter and dark chocolate in a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water and stir until smooth. Allow to cool. 

Place the eggs and sugar in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer (or wire whisk) until light and creamy. Add vanilla. Fold through chocolate and butter mixture. Sift the flour and cocoa over the mixture and mix to combine. 

Add white and milk chocolate and pour into a 23 cm (9 inch) square pan that has been lined with cooking paper and sprayed with cooking spray.
BAKE for 35-40 mins or until set. Check with a knife. Allow to cool and then cut into squares.

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

RedPawPaw | Box #1 - Review Part III

Here I am back with some more reviews :)

I made the Adriano Zumbo macarons on Thursday, in preparation for a sewing playdate on Friday (FNwF - Friday Night with Friends)

I must say, I don't like passionfruit and didn't like it even more after making these macarons :(

The packet mix was easy enough to use - my only criticism is the print on the back of the package was very small and very fine ........... made it very difficult to read, and the almond meal was difficult to sift :(

Anyway, I made up the macarons and found the smell so overpowering that I didn't even bother mixing up the filling in between, I just put them all in the bin.

but here is a pic of them just before I put them in the oven :)


So then, I really needed something nice for my FNwF, so I used my tried and true Triple Choc Brownie recipe - this one is made from scratch, and never fails me :)

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Tryout Tuesday - Double Choc Brownies

For Tryout Tuesday this week, I 'tried out' my new oven and a new baking tray.

Mr Fixit has been working long hours this last few weeks - so much so that management have approved some overtime ;-)

As a reward for 'the guys' I made a batch of Jazz's Triple Choc Brownies from CCC - but they are actually Double Choc Brownies, as I didn't have any dark chocolate :(

The link to the original recipe is HERE -  oops, the Taste forum is down at the moment and the link does not appear to be working - will update with link as soon as I can.

I typed up the recipe back when I made it, so here it is

Jazzie’s Triple Choc Brownies - these really are the BEST! 

185g (6 oz) butter

185g (6 oz) dark chocolate, chopped

3 eggs

1 1/4 cups caster sugar

1 tbsp vanilla

2/3 cup plain flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

¾ cup white chocolate chips or roughly chopped

¾ cup milk chocolate chips or roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Place butter and dark chocolate in a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water and stir until smooth.

Allow to cool. Place the eggs and sugar in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer (or wire whisk) until light and creamy. Add vanilla. Fold through chocolate and butter mixture. Sift the flour and cocoa over the mixture and mix to combine.

Add white and milk chocolate and pour into a 23 cm (9 inch) square pan that has been lined with cooking paper and sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake for 35-40 mins or until set. Check with a knife. Allow to cool and then cut into squares.



Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Australian Pumpkin Soup

Time for a foodie photo, I think ;-)

Over on Taste.com, the current Cooks Club Challenge is to make up a soup.

My go to soup, is the Australian Pumpkin Soup that was originally posted in the Cooks Club Challenge in 2008 ;-)





Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Zumbo Brownies

I wanted something quick and easy make up in order to surprise Mr Fixit who was already on his way home - Adriano Zumbo's Brownies to the rescue ;-)



We celebrated our 31st Wedding Anniversary yesterday, and today is Valentine's Day, so it was a good opportunity to put Tryout Tuesday into practice.

Whilst this is NO replacement for my preferred brownies - Jazzies Triple Choc Brownies - it is certainly an acceptable emergency replacement  ;-)

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Triple Choc Brownies

It was Mr Fixit's birthday this week, and for our birthday, we are allowed to pick our favourite foods.

Mr Fixit is also 'required' to bring treats to work for his birthday and the resounding request was for Chocolate Fudge Brownies - otherwise known as Jazzs Triple Choc Brownies (from Challenge #8 of the Cooks Club)  see full Challenge #8 HERE

This is my favourite part - mixing in the choc chips at the end


Separated into "Gooey" and "Edges" - I love the gooey bits, Mr Fixit prefers the crunchy edges


A close up of the 'Gooey Goodness'



Tonight we will be having Fillet Mignon for tea - can't wait for my birthday in October ;-)

I will not be cooking for my birthday ;-)

Cooks Club Challenge #87 - Comfort Food

It's my turn for Cooks Club Challenge over on www.taste.com.au 
see my post   HERE

It's winter here in Australia, and it has gotten very cold, very quickly here in Adelaide.  I find I am more inclined to use the oven during this time of year – and look forward to doing roasts, using the slow cooker and a bit of baking.

So my theme this month, is Comfort Food ;-)

First up is a casserole ………… I have seen these new pre-packaged slow cooker recipe bases from Masterfoods around for a while and wanted to try one out.

I decided on Farmhouse Chicken Casserole and followed the directions and set my slow cooker in motion.  I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, as it looked a bit insipid  ;-(  but smelled okay

I used Chicken Thighs, and diced as suggested in the instructions, but would leave them whole if I used this recipe again.  The chicken was so very tender, it actually fell apart and almost disintegrated after only 5 hours.

I chopped up some potatoes and they were beautifully cooked – I have been having issues for over a year now with potatoes cooking successfully – I always seem to have some hard/raw bits in my spuds …………… not happy Jan!

When the casserole was ready to serve, I zapped up some vegetables in the microwave and mixed them in.

For those that like to start from scratch, there are several slow cooker recipes in the slow cooker thread  HERE – feel free to have a look and decide which one you would like to try.

So while the slow cooker was doing it’s thing …………. I set up the breadmaker ….. there is something extra special about using crusty bread to scoop up a yummy casserole.

After filling up on casserole and bread with lashings of butter, the only thing left to have is dessert  ;-)

It has been a while since we have had some chocolatey goodness for dessert, but we were too full.  

We will be having this Chocolate Mug Cake on the weekend – pics to come ;-)

5 minute chocolate mug cake

2 tablespoons self raising flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

1 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

Small splash of vanilla extract and your favourite tipple (optional)

Add dry ingredients to your largest mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips if using, vanilla extract and a drop or two of your favourite tipple, then mix again.

Put you mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed. Allow to cool and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT!

This can serve two if you want to feel slightly more virtuous. If you are feeling very naughty cover liberally in Bailey's Irish Cream.

I can’t remember where I got this recipe from – it has been written down on a piece of paper in my cupboard for I don’t know how long ;-)

I hope you continue to enjoy Cooks Club Challenges ;-)  If my suggestions are not to your liking, please feel free to share your own version of comfort food ;-)

A domestic day today - washing, ironing & baking

I had quite a domesticated day today - washing, ironing and a bit of baking.

I had intended to make up some Cornish Pasties for my CCC - English cuisine, but I wasn't very organised with my vegetables  ;-)

So, I went with baking up some individual pies.  I have never had much success with the gravy when making pies, but thought I would try an experiment.  I mixed up a 50/50 mix of Gravox instant pepper & traditional gravy, with just a touch of BBQ sauce added.

Yummy goodness of flaky pastry.

The Bake Club Challenge for May was to bake a pie - I know I am a bit late, but you can't rush these things ;-)

Cooks Club Challenge for July is up

It is my turn for Cook's Club Challenge and I have submitted some English/British cuisine foods

Full post can be seen HERE

MMMMM, Sausages & Mash

Scrambled Eggs & Bacon on Toast



Cook's Club Challenge - June 2011 - Indian

Cook's Club Challenge - June

New Cook's Club Challenge has started - a new butter chicken recipe for me to try ;-)

Cook's Club Challenge - April 2011

Cook's Club have changed the way they run - they are running monthly, with each month following a cuisine - we now get more time to try out recipes ;-)


The current Cook's Club Challenge is 'Greek'

The salad looks devine, and I just have to try that marinated chicken

More Butter Chicken ......... ;-)

I made up another batch of Butter Chicken from ccc#7 HERE

I make it up at least once every two months and it seems to taste just that little bit different each time - always very nice though ;-)

On the weekend, we wanted a light evening meal, as it was hot and I didn't want to spend a lot of time cooking, so we had scrambled eggs & bacon on toast.

I made mine up after being influenced by something I had seen recently on a menu at a Cafe

On the menu was this particular item

• Scrambled Eggs & Bacon, topped with smoked salmon on sour dough toast .................. $24.00

It was every bit as nice as the plate of food I had seen on the table next to me, but I it didn't cost $24.00!!!

CCC#71 is up and running - sausage rolls ..... yum!

CCC#71  is up and running - sausage rolls ..... yum!

the rainbow cake looks gorgeous

I have made Jazzie's brownies on several occasions and can fully recommend them

Challenge #67 is up and running

The Admin Team at http://www.taste.com.au/ have set the challenge for this fortnight!

Cook's Club Challenge 67

The Pumpkin, Lamb & Feta Pasta bake looks good ;-)

Cooks Club Challenge 65 is up and running

Challenge 65

the prawn dish sounds lovely - another dish 'just for me' ;-)

Cook's Club Challenge #64 is up and running

Garlic Chicken .................. oooo, it looks so nice

Challenge #64

will have to keep this one in mind when we have visitors and I can cook a little single serve of something for hubby ;-)

Cook's Club Challenge 61 is up and running

New challenge is up an running HERE

I can't believe how quickly the weeks are going - I completely MISSED challenge 60 - HERE

I am going to make the Chocolate Self saucing pudding ..... mmmmmmm

Cook's Club Challenge #57 - my turn ;-)

it is my turn for Cook's Club and I must confess, this time it has been difficult to pick my three dishes.


Whilst going through my favourite things to cook, I realised that most of the dishes I cook now are actually from Cook’s Club Challenges!

I always used to have problems with my timing when doing a roast, but this one flows beautifully.


Roast Rack of Lamb & Potatoes (serves 2)
Ingredients
1 french cut Rack of Lamb (8 ribs - approx 300-400g)
Herbs – Rosemary & Thyme – approx 1 tsp each (adjust to suit personal taste)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 2 tbsp
Potatoes - 2-3 medium sized
Serve with your choice of vegetables and gravy.


Divide rack of lamb into two sections and marinate in Oil & herbs (I use a zip lock bag) for 30 mins.
Pre-heat oven (I set my oven to approx 190C)
Peel potatoes and cut into quarters and rinse.
Line Roasting dish with baking paper – give a quick spray of olive oil. Place cut potatoes curved side down and give a quick spray with olive oil.

Bake potatoes in oven for 20 minutes.
Turn potatoes to a flat side and bake for a further 20 minutes.

At the 10 minute mark of the second 20 minutes pre-heat frypan and place marinated lamb racks skin side down (I usually have the Heart Smart cuts of lamb, so the skin is almost not there) and cook for 2 minutes, turn lamb and cook each surface for 2 minutes. Remove from frypan. (I use this frypan with the residual oil & herbs to cook up some mushrooms).

Around now, the timer for the potatoes will be going off.


Take roasting pan out of oven and turn potatoes over to the other flat side and place the rack of lamb in roasting tin and return to oven for another 20 minutes (may take a bit longer depending on your oven and the size of your rack of lamb).

Please forgive the out of focus photo – I think the heat from the oven fogged up the lens ;-)


Remove lamb from oven and rest for a short time (cover with aluminium foil) while you plate up your potatoes and whatever other vegetables you have prepared. Enjoy!

Next is a salad that I got from my SIL – we have it whenever we have a BBQ


Pasta Salad

Ingredients


Pasta - approx 150g
Kabanas – 1 stick
Gherkin – approx 1 tbsp chopped (or more if you like gherkin)
Cubed Cheese – approx ½ cup
Boiled Egg x 1
Mayonnaise
Mustard Sauce

Mix up mayonnaise & mustard sauce – I do about ¼ cup mustard sauce, ¾ cup mayonnaise – you can alter ratios to suit your preferences
Slice up Kabanas, gherkins and chop up eggs & cheese
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl


Next is a dish that has been in my ‘to try’ list for quite some time – so I will be trying it along with you ;-)


Chocolate Cheesecake Brownie Slice
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/15334/chocolate+cheesecake+brownie+slice

Cook's Club Challenge #56 is up and running

CCC#56 is up and running

Chocolate Sticky Date pudding with Butterscotch Sauce looks VERY NICE!

Cook's Club Challenge #55 is up an running

CCC#55 is up and running.

I am going to try the lasagne and the spaghetti with prawns - YUMMO!