Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Day 5 - Quotes, I collect them

Here's a random fact about me that I'd forgotten til now. In the golden old days of MSN Messenger, I used to collect quotes, save then in notepad, then use them as display names. They ranged from the slightly crude: Why buy the pig just for a little sausage? (After the cow quotes, I liked the idea of an anti-marriage quip that serves women); to the inspiring and the true.

My favourite:
Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.

Now here come the cries of "feminist!" Here's also where I get annoyed. Now this may be a generalisation, but if this doesn't apply to you then speak up and remove this impression from the world. Modern feminists seem to fall into 2 categories. 1) the men haters who wish to dominate anything without ovaries, who've let the years of suppression and anger drive them to forget that, like men, they have no right to claim superiority or greater basic rights than men. 2) the ones who seek the movement as an excuse to act as disgustingly chauvinistic as some men, engage in sexual acts without pause, objectifying themselves, and who use the reasoning that if men are able to do it women should be too.

This quote, said by a man named Timothy O'Leary, falls into neither category. In fact to me, it has very little to do with gender. It says to me, "Sure we want an equal footing, as a starting point, but as a woman, you are capable of so many things. Be the best, why don't you? Fight for equality sure, but if you as an individual woman are content to be always on a par with your male peers, then there is no hope for you, no fire in you, no strength in you." It tells me to always do my best. (Though the quoted man might disagree, I shrug).

Though the quote is aimed at women, I don't believe as a feminist statement, but because we have to strive so hard even for equality that is hard to remember that we could be striving for more. So you, in that male-dominated field or office, don't be content with earning a comparable wage for your work, earn a higher wage by being even better. Show them.

Maybe for women in general this is difficult, it's known that men are more likely to ask for a raise than women. However there are other dimensions to add for me. I am black. Yup, I brought out the race card. Nevertheless, it's been made clear to me that, because of my colour, I will almost always be at a disadvantage; some people will look at me and believe I am less capable, less intelligent, than my white contemporary.

Mum always told me that it wasn't always enough to be good, but to get it through their ignorant skulls, you had to be the best. This works for gender too. How to bring down the cocky chauvinist pig of a boy that picks on little girls? Beat him at arm-wrestling. How to shut up the boys that won't let you play rugby with them on the playground at Primary? Tackle the one with the ball and run so fast they'll never catch you unless you stop. How to get the politely racist teachers at your private school to respect you? Score so highly on your entrance exams that you place first and embarrass them for not offering you that Scholarship straight away. Let them be surprised, then question themselves as to why it should be surprising for a black girl to be smart, ambitious and driven. Beat them, and say: How can you look down on me when I have beaten you? You are not better than me because of your sex, your race, your social class, your education. Here is my proof. If you don't want to be the one to say this, then yes, you do lack ambition. Unfortunately, in this world, equality is not yet a right, but a political ploy. The strugle for equality is a hard fought for battle that won't be won until it doesn't need to be fought for. Can anyone really see that happening anytime soon?

So 'til then, I'll aim just that little higher than you, and hope I reach it.

student_gourmand
xxx
PS Another favourite quote of a poem my granddad told me, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

Heights of great men,
Reached and kept,
Were not attained by sudden flight.
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upwards in the night.

Day 4 - A Passion Above Cooking; My Favourite Book

Now, I love cooking. And baking; and eating. But life would not be worth living for me without the comfort of a good book. If further proof of my love is needed, take into account the library inspired database I created to catalogue these prized possessions of mine. Yes, I am a nerd.

Funnily enough, a big part of my love of reading has its roots in pastry. It's true. My greatest incentive to read was at my Primary school. My best friend and I would spend breaks and lunchtimes sitting inside reading together, and our Scottish English teacher, Mr John, would supply us with his secret stash shortbread. Good memories. To this day, I still believe that nothing complements a good book so well as a cup of tea and a tray of shortbread.

So the question today is...What is your favourite book? My response: Can I have an easier question, Miss?

How can I answer that? My tastes are so wide ranging and eclectic that it's like asking a chef what his favourite food is. We love so many things for such different reasons. I have favourite books that cover the inspiring, the lyrical, the thought-provoking, the completely moving, the absolute escapism, the list goes on. But if I had to pick one book......I couldn't. Wow, I actually couldn't. So here are my favourites, just a few to give you an idea.

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - this kind of book, if it was a human, would be the kind to provoke a statement: "That is a face only a mother could love." It is, not badly, but, not well written. It is too long, overdone, and the author rambles. The ideas are debatable, being a book of fiction written by a philosopher about, and to promote, her ideologies. Still, the main character, Dagny Taggart, is the kind of woman that makes ambitious young girls want to look more closely at their Science books, and take on the world. She is a heroine who is smart, strong, and completely capable, while still being attractive and female. It is hard to find heroines like her nowadays. It is a book intended to show the need for a type of capitalism that I admit is more palatable than actually exists in America now, but I must admit, it helped me put more defintion to my own rather Socialist ideals, while letting me know that Capitalism isn't completely evil. This book is a feat. It took my a Summer to read, and a year to understand, and I'm sure Randites would pick apart my own understansding of her book, but even if you disagree with her philosophies, it is a book anyone with an idea of social issues and responsability, or interest in economy should read. If only to argue against it. Reader Beware: not for the weak hearted or short sighted. The text is small and the book is thick.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - Now lots of girly girls would start giggling about Rochester, and lots of feminists would start ranting about the treatment of his first wife, Bertha. I'm none of those. I am however a Christian, however liberal, and what gets to me from this novel is Jane Eyre's resolve and determination that she does what she believes is right. She has her beliefs and no man was going to sway her against them. Right on, girl. She does what it is so hard to do- she removes herself entirely from a possibly corrupting situation instead of risking her beliefs on the hope that she is strong enough to resist Rochester and his "love". Although, it annoys my that she doesn't take any of her things with her. I mean, I'm all for independence and not relying on the one who betrayed you, but forward planning woman! Anyway, this is my depression-busting book. I read it in the bath when I'm feeling low. (Still, I am a girl, and I do love the romance.)

Children of the River by Linda Crew - Duty or love? Maybe this book is where I first started to show my Asiaphile tendencies. I love learning about other cultures, and this book, which may or may not be based on a true story, is an insight into family culture and the tensions of a Cambodian family after they flee Cambodia to America in fear of the Khmer Rouge. Okay, so it is a children's book, but maybe it's a "belong to both worlds" thing, but I totally understood the tensions when the Western influences come into contact with the Eastern culture. Like how an American ruffling a kid's hair doesn't seem such a big deal until that kid is Cambodian, and then apparently the head is where the soul is believed to reside. So ruffling = bad. Regardless of belief and scepticism, it is always important to understand the traditions of other cultures. Especially if you want to date the daughter of a traditional family, as is the case in this book. It is a nice light romance, with the somber background of war and torture from which the main character, Sundara, has escaped. Good read; maybe too good because I lent it to a girl 3 years ago, and I haven't seen it since.

Anything written by Terry Pratchett. Because the man is a legend to be able to create such a wonderful universe. Start with the Discworld, a flat world balanced on the backs of four elephants, that stand on the back of a giant turtle called Great A'Tuin. Then add diverse cultures and people that both mimic and parody real life, along with the cultural, political, bureauracratic, and religious realities of our world. One feature of his books which I adore, and which, unfortunately, don't always feature, are the footnotes. Because in a world as complex as his, bearing in mind that we ourselves know only so much about our own world, there will be things to confuse and amuse us. Though the footnotes only serve to add to the last. His books are at once hilarious, and serious. He can cover topics such as racism and land disputes in "Jingo", to death in "Mort", and one of my favourites, gender equality (using witches and wizards as examples) in "Equal Rites." I must add however that Pratchett is English and as such, some readers, typically Americans, won't necessarily understand the humour. There's no shame in this, I'm not anti-American. British wit is just not always easily understood. And Americans tend to feel this the most, as well as having a completely confused grip on the idea of irony. (The Canadians too in this case - yes, Alanis Morissette, I'm talking to you.)

Speaking of British humour, this next book isn't a favourite, but I laughed so hard when I first read it that I felt it deserved special mention, as well as a link. The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse. It's a little outrageous, so the easily offended need not read. It is like a demented fairytale become real, and seen through the eyes of a teenage boy, so no worries of it being mushy and girly! Robert Rankin, the author, seems to be an eccentric fellow, so this book makes sense from him, but I would recommend it to anyone as a quick but satisfying read, full of slightly-off colour but not overly offensive humour.

happy reading,
student_gourmand
PS Sorry this is so late, but I'm more productive at night anyway. Also if you want to chat books, just message me. There's nothing I'd love more. x

Sunday, 16 January 2011

Day 2 - Movies and Pizza

So my day today did not go to plan after getting back from church. I was meant to have defrosted some capon, which my Nana gave me after Christmas, for my dinner with the leftover Ginger Rice. Capon is my family's turkey alternative. None of us really like turkey as it is too dry, and we eat so much chicken generally that that would be boring. Same foes for most other meats. So before Christmas my Nana will find a capon for us. I assume with great difficulty since I was told they're illegal to rear in England. But they are delicious and juicy and a decent size.

Anyway, I forgot to take it out the freezer, so I decided to be lazy and order pizza from Pizza Express, along with their famous dough balls. In my opinion, this fits neatly into todays question. Favourite movie? Becase when you're at home with your friends, there's nothing better than a film and some pizza.

I had a Pollo Ad Astra, the lovely tender chicken well accompanied by sweet pappadew pepper (which I've never heard of but which are out of this world) and red pepper that goes nicely with the overall soft sweet taste of the pizza. Those dough balls I ate as I walked into my living room, half gone before I sat down. I would post a picture but the whole meal disappeared before I had a chance to remember. My flatmate had a boring Margherita, but with my 50% voucher (I'm a penny-pincher me) it cost her only £3, and together we watched Legally Blonde on the telly.

I have a lot of favourite films I've realised, which is strange since I've only really been a true movie goer in the last couple of years. I could probably give you favourite film by category but I'm very bad at telling genres. So here's a shortish list. Amelie - for a light hearted surrealism that leaves me feeling optimistic and hopeful about people. Also the soundtrack, music by Yann Tierson, is smply amazing.


Changeling - so many people give Angelina Jolie such a hard time, but to be honest I don't care. This film made me cry. It made me bawl my eyes out and my heart clench thinking of such a convincingly played mother of a kidnapped child fighting for the authorities to do something. Watch it!

Spirited Away - pure fantastical escapism. Even if you think animé is a childish past time, or can't tell the difference between animé and cartoons, watch this film and see how the artwork is so beautiful and real. I love this film, not only a little because of one scene where a train is travelling over an area that has flooded and looks like a calm sea, interrupted only by the waves caused by the train. The score behind this scene was composed by Joe Hisaishi and is called The Sixth Station; it fits the scene almost as though the artwork was made for the music, not the other way round.

The Joy Luck Club - a story that follows two very different generations of Chinese women from four families, it talks about the experiences of the first generation while in China, amd how these motheres hope for their American-Chinese daughters. Very moving, powerful stuff, based on the book by Amy Tan. I love this film because it makes me think of, and tolerate more, the strangeness and the differences of culture and attitudes in the women in my family, as a second generation British-born Antiguan on my mum's side. This film is my favourite of the four, maybe tied with Spirited Away.

Saturday, 15 January 2011

30 Day Challenge - Day 1 - I always have to tweak things to my taste

So I decided to do a 30 Day Challenge on my blog, despite having exams, but of course, this being MY blog, I have to change things a bit to suit my tastes.

So everyday for the next thirty days I will post about food but, with an added element linked to myself. For example, some people started the Challenge with a post about a favourite song. But I might talk about a dish that makes me think about music. Just an idea.

Speaking of taste, here is Day 1:

So those who know me, and now you dear reader, are all aware that my music taste could be described as eccentric, unusual or, to the very few, just plain cheesy. Mainstream is all very well and good, but whenever I find myself liking mainstream music, it tends to be the mainstream of anther country :P My favourites can range from reggae, rocksteady and soca, to punk-rock, to J-Rock and Mando-pop (esp by Taiwanese artists). At the moment my favourite songs are So Exclusive by Japanese hip-hop group m-flo feat. Sowelu and Reeewind! by m-flo feat. Crystal Kay.

I loved m-flo as a teen, and I was raised on R&B, and rediscovering their music kinda reminded me how I like my music (as well as my food)...International, baby! And so maybe this, as well as being near a market and having a freezer full of fish from my Antiguan Grandma, is why today's meal is so...everywhere. Drawing from Caribbean, Asian and American cuisine:

Fried Tilapia in a Tomato Sauce, Sweet Potato and Raisin Mash, with Ginger Rice

So you must be scratching your head. How on earth do these fit together. Truth is, they're not suupposed to, but like any pacifist, I asked the question, "Can't we all just get along?" And they said "YES!"






So for the recipe:

The Ginger Rice was lifted from a chicken recipe book as a side-dish to sesame chicken strips. Although I substituted a few thing I didn't have. I'll put the original ingredients in brackets where they are different.

1 cup of Basmati rice - a short grain rice would work too, probably better
A knob of butter (sesame oil)
A can of ginger beer - 330ml - I must point out that I used D&G Old Jamaican, cause I'm patriotic like that.
1 spring onion
A thumb sized piece of ginger
Salt
  • Chop off the very end of the spring onion, and chop the green of the onion into pieces. Keep the whole white/colourless end and tap with the end of your knife to release the juices.
  • Fry the onion and the, peeled and chopped, ginger in the butter.
  • Add the rice and stir in the butter, cooking over a high heat for a couple of minutes.
  • Then add the ginger beer and cover, stirring occasionally until the ginger beer has mostly gone, leaving a slightly wet rice.

For the sweet potato and raisin mash, which is I think an American twist on a West Indian staple plant. This is probably the most basic recipe, and come nowhere near my New York-Jamaican Aunt's version. Usually I only have roasted sweet potato or boiled in soup at my Grandma's house.

  • I peeled and chopped 1 average purple skinned sweet potato - marketed as Jamaican sweet potato by the grocer. (I panicked when I saw white liquid seeping from the veggie as I chopped, but that is apparently just starch.)
  • Boil the chopped sweet potato in salted boiling water for 20-25 minutes, til. Use about half a tablespoon of salt. Meanwhile soak a couple loose handfuls of raisins in warm water.
  • Mash the potato, adding a couple tablespoons of soft butter and a bit of cream.
  • Now add some allspice (or cinnamon/nutmeg). Maybe a teaspoon.
  • Add the drained raisins, and mix in.

The Tilapia I had cooked the day before.

  • First I washed 2 Tilapia fillets with water and lemon juice, then seasoned the fillets with fish seasoning; 1/2 an onion; 1/2 a red pepper, finely sliced; thyme; salt; and black pepper. I left the fish overnight.
  • Next I fried the onions on the fish in oil, then added the fish to the pan, frying on both sides until the fish was cooked through and completely white inside, breaking the fish apart to be sure.
  • I added half a tin of chopped tomatoes to the pan, added parsley and thyme, then a dash of light soy sauce, and let the sauce cook down for 10 minutes or longer. If the tomatoes are sour, I add a half-teaspoon of sugar.

Tilapia is such a rich fish, has lots of valuable nutrients and vitamins, and when cooked by my Nana, is meaty enough that you don't always realise it's fish. China is apparently the largest source of tilapia for eating and it is eaten in most of East Asia, though maybe not in my way.

The funny thing about this meal, is that so many of the ingredients are cross-culture. Basmati rice is typically used by both Indians and West Indians (Caribbeans), ginger is universal, but again heavily used in East Asia and the Caribbean, sweet potato is a staple in the West Indies and South America and even North America and Africa.

So yes, when we share so much culture (at least the culture of food) why is it so hard for us to all get along? Ha, trust me to turn a meal into a philosophy blog. The philosophy of food... So there's my meal - an international melange of tastes and textures and cultures. Just like my music taste.

Peace, love, and happy eating,

student_gourmand

Phew this was a long one :D

Friday, 14 January 2011

Something a bit...French

So tomorrow morning I'm helping out at my church's Coffee Morning. I just started going to this church, so I'm not sure what to expect. Anyway, I asked the lady organising it if I should bring anything, and she replied "If I would like to."

The question wasn't Would I like to? but What would I bring?

The answer: Madeleines.

For Christmas my mother gave me a cook book from the Australian Women's Weekly set of cookbooks named "Afternoon Tea". It is absolutely stunning, and the recipe chapters range from tea sandwiches, to scones, to pastries and cake. In the book is a recipe for Madeleines. Basic enough, tried it out and the outcome was nice but blah. So I tweaked it a bit. A bit of lemon here, more sugar there and voila! Madeleines fit for church.

So what is a Madeleine? In the simplest of terms, it is a little sponge usually shaped like a seashell. A bit more high brow response would be that it is a "light French sponge made from a génoise batter" and shaped like seashells. Now you can google 'Génoise' and you'll get all sort of links, but unfortunately, after doing my own research the recipe I've been given I can't admit to being truly génoise but rather a lazy, "hey it works" version. Shame on you Women's Weekly. Nevertheless, here it is:


Slightly-Lemony Madeleines

2 1/2 heaped tablespoons caster sugar
2 heaped tablespoons icing sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
35g plain flour
35g self raising flour
75g melted, then cooled, butter
1 tablespoon hot water
Zest of half a lemon
  • Beat the eggs, then add the sugar by the spoonful, while whisking, until the mixture was frothy and creamy looking.
  • Add the vanilla extract and the lemon juice, and mix in.
  • Add the (twice-sifted) flour and fold in a little. Then add the melted butter and hot water, folding the ingredients until everything is mixed in thoroughly.
  • Add the lemon zest.
  • Cook at 200°C for 12 minutes, until the middle is firm but springy under the touch.

Et voila, easy madeleines. I hope no French patissier stumbles across my page to chew me out for publishing this instead of a genuine madeleine recipe but if a reputable establishment like The Australian Women's Weekly can do it, then I can do. The important thing is that they taste good and go well with tea and coffee. This should make about 24 madeleines, but I spread my batter thinner and made 33 slightly smaller ones. Unfortunately my madeleines aren't all golden brown like the cookbooks make out, but those have clearly been photoshopped. But FYI, they're lovely.




Look out for my attempt at madeleines made from classic Genoise batter.

Peace,
student_gourmand

Wednesday, 27 October 2010

Tea Parties...or rather, cake parties that feature tea

Over the summer I fell in love...... with tea sets. I got a bit obsessed reading articles on the proper presentation for tea parties, the kinds of delicacies served, the proper way to serve tea, the ranges of tea sets etc. So during one fateful Laura Ashley sale, I bought the Josette Tea Set: 1 teapot, 1 cream jug, 1 sugar bowl, 5 cups and saucers and 1 3-tier cake stand.

So, this month, I put it all to use and threw a tea party for a few of my fellow Chemists. And along with some Earl Grey, Lady Grey and Jasmine tea, I served New York Cheesecake with Strawberry Coulis, Lemon Sponge Cake and home-made Chocolate Truffles.

So it seems like the key to this party being a success was the preparation. On Wednesday afternoon I made the coulis, as it can keep for a few days in the fridge and although it isn't hard it is one less thing to do; on Thursday I made the cheesecake, so it would have time to firm up and let the flavours blend in; on Friday I made the chocolate truffles on a last minute urge; and on Saturday, we ate and drank tea.

Cheesecake - I made this last July and the recipe is up here on my blog. Bear in mind that I added around 10ml of single cream to the recipe this time to cater to my guests tastes. Also, I added a couple of teaspoons of vanilla extract and a bit of lemon zest. Delicious!

Strawberry Coulis - 160g washed, dried & chopped Strawberry, 60ml water, 60g granulated sugar, lemon juice & a half capful of vanilla extract.

I simply put the sugar and water in a pan, heated til it just started boiling then added the strawberries and left on a medium high heat for 10 minutes. Then I used a handblender to liquify everything and ran the liquid through a strainer twice. to remove the froth and seeds. Leave to cool for a while, and mine was left in the fridge for 3 days.

Frosted Lemon Sponge Cake - Another joyofbaking.com recipe. I halved everything as usual, mainly because I only just had to buy one block of butter for everything I was making that way. My only recommendation would be to add more lemon juice to the frosting as, otherwise, it becomes too thick and not as "drizzly." Also, I replaced some of the lemon juice with bottled lemon juice, as it stops the tang and sour being too overwhelming. The resulting cake is the perfect mix of tangy and sweet, moist and firm.



Chocolate Truffles - These are so easy to make it makes you wonder how some shops can have the nerve to sell these so expensively (though a Blegian chocolate truffle from Belgium is definitely worth the cost). To be honest with you, it is very similar to how I make hot chocolate, except using whipping cream instead of milk and with the addition of butter.

I basically melted 15g unsalted butter in 90ml whipping cream over a medium heat on the cooker, until the cream was boiling, then poured over roughly 115g chopped, plain dark chocolate. I left that to stand for 5 minutes then whisked the mixture thoroughly. For kicks, I added a couple tablespoons of the strawberry coulis I made for my cheesecake, then left the whole thing in my fridge overnight. The next morning I scooped out the now solid chocolate with a teaspoon, rolled it into a vaguely truffle-like shape and then rolled it into a bowl of cocoa powder. I did that until most of the chocolate was finished and put my truffles into the fridge to stop them melting before my guests arrived. The leftover chocolate, I poured boiling milk over, whisked and made possibly the most unhealthy hot chocolate in existence. Which also means that it was very delicious.

The Finished Product

All these separate components came together, along with some pretty china and table laying, to make a lovle tea party. The tea flowed and the cake was liberally served, the conversation was lively and varied, and I'm definitely doing it again. Here is the visual proof of the pudding.






Saturday, 17 July 2010

Brownie Cake

Brownies are god's gift to women who want chocolate and want cake as well. This recipe creates what can only be the most gorgeously chocolatey gooey cake in the work. I lifted this recipe from my official favourite website ever - joy of baking. On that site they call it a Brownie Tart, however the lack of pastry in the dessert makes this name rub me the wrong way. So I shall call it......a cake!

Technicalities aside, the recipe mades one damned good brownie cake. The combination of cocoa powder, cream cheese and dark chocolate makes my toes curl, and licking the spoon clean of uncooked batter, I was reminded of Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream. Speaking of, after using my mother as a (very willing) guinea pig, she suggested serving the Brownie Cake with some ice-cream, which is a brilliant idea. Something not too sweet as the Brownie Cake is quite rich.

So although there is a link to the recipe above, here are my (slightly altered) ingredients and recipe.

For the brownie cake:
85g chocolate (I used Thorntons milk chocolate from a leftover birthday chocolate slab)
200g unsalted butter (no-one said brownies were healthy)
45g cocoa powder (Asda - £1.48 for 250g)
3 eggs (I'm sure they said large for a reason but medium is just as good it seems)
85g cream cheese (Mascapone cheese)
250 granulated sugar
65g plain flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon vanilla essence (I only had vanilla flavouring-but it works)
(110g toasted & chopped walnuts or pecans-not for me)

For the ganache bits (posh chocolate chips really):
60g dark chocolate (I used Godiva dark with 72% cacao)
80ml whipping cream (whipping, not double, not single, not whipped)

Now for the recipe:

  • Melt the butter and chocolate for the brownie cake over a pan of simmering water.
  • To this chocolate mix, beat in the cocoa then the sugar. (joyofbaking lady uses a hand mixer, but whisks are easier to wash up)
  • Add the eggs (the recipe says one at a time but I beat them all separately first then add a bit at a time)
  • Beat in the vanilla and the cream cheese.
  • Mix in the flour and salt (by hand this time, all you hand-mixer users)
  • Add the nuts here if you must, but toast them first for 10 minutes in the oven at 177°C/350°F.
  • Pop the mixture into a 9inch loose bottomed tin, or a 7inch tin with the leftover in a muffin tin, which is greased and the bottom lined with parchment/grease-proof paper. (Trust me this batter leaks without the greaseproof. We live and learn. However if like me you put the tin on a baking tray, then you lose very little batter).
  • Put your batter into the preheated oven at 165°C/325°F and leave there for 25-30. (The ones in the muffin tea will be good and gooey if you take 'em out after 20minutes).
If ever there was a batter to eat raw, it is this one. OMG it is delicious-I have to admit that less of the batter made it to the oven than I had originally made. So, here is my brownie in the batter stage:


Now when they're done cooking in the oven, butter the end of a wooden spoon and poke holes in them. Then fill them with the ganache, directions for making it are below:

  • Boil the whipping cream, then pour it over the chopped up pieces of chocolate.
  • Mix it in and let it sit for a few minutes before putting it into the holes with a teaspoon.

And voila....Brownie Cake and Mini Brownie Cakes





So I hope you make this and have a great time eating this. I have and will. After I let it chill in the fridge overnight. Happy baking!

student_gourmand