Prize-Winning Pecan Mocha Brownies

Deliciously different brownies - this was my Pecan Fantasy entry this year. I specifically entered the so-called 'Lighter Side' category. Although these brownies contain sugar they do NOT contain flour or dairy and are very low sodium. Unfortunately for me, the contest judges saw fit to place my entry with 'Bars' and I was awarded a Third Place Ribbon. I will never know if I'd have been the BIG WINNER if I'd ended up in my original category. 


Thanks to my dear friend, T.H., in California, for the original recipe! 

Preheat oven to 350*, grease 8 inch square cake pan and line the bottom with parchment, then grease parchment or use cooking spray before adding batter. 


Ingredients:


5-1/2 oz. good quality semi-sweet chocolate (I used Lindt 70% Cocoa)
3-1/2 oz dairy-free margarine (I used Benecol) plus extra for greasing pan
1 tsp. strong instant coffee (I used Starbucks Via Instant Columbia)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup ground pecans (original recipe calls for almonds)
scant 1 cup superfine 'bakers' sugar
4 eggs, separated
Confectioner's sugar to decorate


Method:


Melt the chocolate and margarine in a double-boiler* pan over gently simmering water, making sure that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Stir very occasionally until the chocolate and margarine have melted and are smooth.


Remove the bowl from heat. Let cool slightly, then stir in the coffee and vanilla. Add the pecans and sugar and mix well until combined. Lightly beat the egg yolks in a separate bowl, then stir into the chocolate mixture.


Beat the egg whites in a large bowl until they form stiff peaks. Gently fold a large spoonful of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture, then fold in the remainder until completely incorporated.


Spoon the mixture into a prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until risen and firm on top but slightly gooey in the center. Let cool in the pan, then turn out, remove lining paper and cut into 12 pieces. Dust with confectioner's sugar before serving.


*Who has a double-boiler in this day and age? I gerry-rigged one by upending my metal vegetable steamer basket in a 3 quart sauce pan. The bowl rested easily on the 'legs' of the basket with the water simmering beneath - well below the bowl. I wouldn't recommend micro-melting. Chocolate burns easily in a microwave and result might not be quite as nice. 


Oh, and one last suggestion, if you are caffeine-sensitive you might not want to eat one of these right before bedtime. But if you NEED to wake up or stay awake these are a tasty alternative to a cup of coffee - or eat a brownie AND drink coffee for a double jolt!

'Lefty' Heerema

 Silas is definitely showing signs that he favors his left hand, as does brother Hendrik

 Occasionally he would pick up the pencil with is right hand, but quickly change to the left. 

Both my late brothers, Silas' great uncles, were left-handed.

Still in Business!

Silas Turns ONE!

A bit late, HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY TO SILAS on January 18!

A Hard Week With a Happy Ending

Haven't blogged for awhile...Silas turned '1' in January and I still haven't posted a new picture. But for now, 'winter' has been on my mind. This last week has been challenging for those of us in the 'Borderland'. We've lived in places where we had the opportunity to experience real winter, so maybe we were better prepared than some....hope you're reading this from the comfort and warmth of your cozy homes!

 From our living room window

 From our bedroom window

 From our kitchen window

If you're saying to yourself, 'What's she complaining about, this isn't so bad.' I forgive you - I also agree - relatively speaking, it's not quite on par with the kind of weather you all have in the Midwest. However, sub-zero temps, ice and snow in our part of the country is virtually unprecedented. Schools were closed, business was disrupted, rolling power outages were the norm for several days and many were without heat, lighting and water (including 'yours truly' as our pipes froze and we had to melt snow to flush the toilet for two days). Oh, yeah, and when you work from home, you don't GET snow days. It was business as usual at Discount Storage. Just like last summer when we were without A/C for eight days in the brutal mid-July heat, we kept the office open. And personally, I prefer being without water to being with A/C!

Little evidence of our difficult week is still visible. Some ice still remains - particularly in front of storage units with doors that are in the shade - usually a blessing when it's hot, treacherous in freezing weather. We put a sign on the entry gate saying 'Enter at your own risk,' - basically to reduce our liability exposure - like putting a 'Hot' warning on the McDonald's coffee cup.

However, the worst has definitely passed. Temperatures climbed to the mid 50's today and it was once again balmy, shirtsleeve weather. All is well in the desert once more!