Favorite Brownie Recipe

When I was younger, I didn't know that you could make brownies from scratch.  My mom always made them from a box because it is faster and easier.  When Rob first introduced me to brownies from scratch, I wasn't too excited about the long process; boxes were just easier.  I really hate melting chocolate because even with a double-boiler, I can get impatient and burn it.

My life was forever changed with my good friend Mary introduced me to her brownies.  They have a wonderful crust on top, are very chocolatey, and gooey.  The best part is they do not involve melting chocolate!  I made them last week for my boss' birthday.  He loves peanut butter and chocolate, so I added a layer of Reese's.  Here was the finished product:

Hello, lover...

Mary Winter Brownies:

What you need:

3/4 cup room temperature butter (I use unsalted)

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup cocoa (I use Hershey's unsweetened)

1/2 bag chocolate chips (dark chocolate is best)

How you make them:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a small bowl, mix the salt, baking powder, flour and cocoa together.

3. In a different, bigger bowl, cream the butter and sugar together.

4. To this, add the vanilla and eggs, mix well.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients .  I usually do this in 3 parts so I don't make a huge mess.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
7. Pour batter into a greased 9x9 pan.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. (Double batch bakes for 45-50 minutes)

Variations:  These brownies are really yummy with Heath bar, either on top or mixed in.  In the picture above, I made a double batch without the chocolate chips, put in half the batter, placed 25ish Reese's on top, then poured the rest of the batter on top.  A double batch bakes for 45-50 minutes.  Mine got a little too done on the bottom (in a Pyrex) because I didn't want them to be too gooey, but next time I will take them out a little sooner.

Enjoy :)

25 was a great year!

I'm pretty sure the only people that read this are people who actually know me, so I feel safe assuming that y'all know my birthday was this past week.  I was thinking back on what a crazy/wonderful year 25 was...here are some of the highlights:


1. I graduated with my Masters.  Like, I officially graduated.  I walked across the stage, got my fake diploma, finished my last 2 papers, and got a letter that says I will be getting my diploma sometime around March.

2.  I decided to kick the carb crutch, started Atkins, and lost 40 pounds.

Michelle and I last January (2011)

Michelle and I this January (2012)

2.  Our posse (yep, I said posse) expanded by a pod this year.  We spent many a Monday during the last year at Morts, enjoying half-priced martinis, Wednesdays at Trivia night, and had 1 or 2 ridiculous weekend shindigs.  I miss my friends daily and I can't wait for my next trip to the Sunflower state to see them.

The Tropic of Cancer team for Crawl for Cancer (aka Pod)

3.  I traveled the world.  Literally.  I visited Alyssa in Seattle in February, Di in Madrid in March, Carrie in Chicago in May, Evan in DC in July, the Iowa State Fair in August, Elise in LA in September, not to mention all the random trips to KC.  In November, Carrie and her family were sweet enough to have me over for Thanksgiving since I couldn't go home.  

Alyssa and I were excited for the Harry Potter exhibit.  Obvi.

Di and I in Toledo, Spain

The kids at the White House.

Elise, Minnie, and I, ya know, chillin' at Disney Land.

Iowa State Fair!

4. In October, I accepted a new position and moved to Indianapolis.  I have already been on a couple work-related trips and made friends!  I am loving my new city and can't wait to keep exploring.

Allison and I cheering on the Celtics at the Pacers game.  

This past year was beyond amazing.  I don't know that there is an adjective strong enough to describe how fantastic it was...I can't wait to see what 26 has waiting for me! 


P.S: If anyone wants to visit me, I have an extra bedroom...

Spain 6: Last Spanish Update

#42 Start a day with churros with San Gines

Que delicioso!

Yum!

#68 See the Plaza of Neptune

This is where Atletico de Madrid celebrates all their wins

#24 Enjoy the art at the Prado

I really enjoyed having a personal tour guide!

#17 Eat a calamari sandwich in the Plaza Mayor

Delish

We love crossing things off the list!

#20 Eat patatas bravas in Las Bravas.  Ok, this was at the Plaza Mayor, but Di says these are better than the ones in Las Bravas, so I'll take a half point.

#9 See the Cibeles Fountain

This is where Real Madrid celebrates all their wins!

#4 See the Crystal Palace

#3 See the sculpture of the fallen angel

So dramatic..

#22 See the sunset at Templo de Debod

Gorgeous

So random to have Egyptian ruins, but so pretty

#99 Search for the best mojito in Madrid

We found the best one at this random, 1950's American diner -looking restaurant.

#93 Wander through Plaza 2 de Mayo

#92 Have a botellon in Plaza de Espana

Well, we were in Plaza 2 de Mayo and there weren't very many people around, but we did the most important part of the botellon: buy bad Spanish beer from a random woman selling it from her purse.  Yum.  This was only a half point.

Di and I with our bad beer.

This concludes the list!  There are few that I did, but no pictures.  It was a crazy, fun week and I can't wait to do #101:  Do it all over again.  With friends.

Until next time,

Spain 5: Un dia en Toledo

Who knew you had to wait in line to get tickets..boo

Since we had time to waste because we missed the train we meant to be on, we were able to cross some items off the list...

While trying to find the train memorial, we stumbled upon these lovelies...

#2: See the Memorial to March 11

Inside the circle is a big plastic column with words in all different languages.

#1:  See the gardens at Atocha

This one took a little searching, but we finally found it.

Friend Di with the gardens.

TOLEDO!

We love the Man of La Mancha!

Getting us lost...

Gorgeous architecture...this really doesn't even capture it.

Awesome cloisters

I swear, I don't look for inappropriate things, they find me.

Until next time,

Spain 4

Paella isn't on the list, but how can you not eat some??

Hola Paella!

Adios Paella...

#67: See the Goya frescoes in the Hermitage of San Antonio de la Florida

Photos weren't allowed.  Clearly, I don't follow rules well!

#64: Try the grilled chicken at Casa Mingo

I literally don't know why you would even try anything else here.  Sorry I'm a terrible tourist and didn't get a picture of the actual chicken and hard cider.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it...

#28: See the Guernica at the Reina Sofia.

Please click here to read about this amazing painting.

#46: Visit the Thyssen

#66: Roar with the lions in front of the Congreso de los Disputados

Once an ADPi, always an ADPi <>

#99: Enjoy the graffiti

#91: Meet an old friend for coffee

I mean, wasn't this whole trip about meeting an old friend??  Di doesn't like coffee, so I had coffee with a new friend, Laura!

Cafe con Leche...yum!

#35: Listen to jazz at Cafe Central

Ok, so we went during the day and there was no jazz.  I counted it as a half point.

#21:  See the Don Quijote and Sancho Panza statue in the Plaza de Espana

#15: Eat a sweet treat at La Mallorquina

Chocolate Napoleon 

#10: Climb to the roof of the Circulo de Bellas Artes

#41: Eat Indian food in Lavapies

Surprisingly lacking in spice, but still delish.

Numbers 28, 46, 66, 99, 91, 35, 21, 15, 10, and 41 were all done in one day. Plus a few sites that weren't on the list...

Until next time,