Chocolate Fix Needed Stat!

Men may not get it, but I'll bet about 75 to 80% of women will.  A couple of weeks ago, I was in desperate need of a chocolate fix - largely due to hormones - and I didn't want to go to the store. Besides, it was 9:30pm. Who wants to go anywhere that late at night on a weeknight?  Well, besides those devoted husbands eager to satiate their pregnant wives' cravings.

For months, my beautiful little sister (she's nearly 20) and I had been playing around with a microwave brownie recipe she had found on a blog named "Cut Out + Keep". You should check it out, because it was definitely a good idea!  A little side note:  we used Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix instead of NesQuik, because it was what we had on hand. We both appreciated the recipe for the chocolaty goodness that it was. It hit the spot when we needed it, and we were both ever so grateful.

Then, the wacky experimenter in me, decided to play around with the recipe.  I used unsweetened cocoa powder, which meant to cut the bitterness, I needed sugar. I didn't like the idea of oil because it seemed...well...oily. I switched to melted butter but, shamefully, reduced the amount. It was nice and fudgy!  You'd think that would be enough experimenting right?

Heck no!

I continued to play with it for a few more weeks until I became...sickened by chocolate. I know! I am so ashamed to even say it!  How does one become sickened by chocolate?

My sister decided she wanted to play with my experiment as well.  Her recipe came out more cake-like, and she was still using the oil.

Our efforts created this yummy bit.  I love my sister, so I will give her partial credit. Hehe!

Warning...the following recipe is rich with chocolatey goodness. You may want to share. Or not...

Yummy Microwave Brownie Goodness

4 Tablespoons of all-purpose flour
4 Tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder

5 Tablespoons of granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon of baking powder

3 Tablespoons of melted butter/margarine (sister uses oil)

5 Tablespoons of water

Mix ingredients well in a large coffee mug, soup mug or large ramekin.  Place in microwave and heat on high for 2 minutes.

Let stand for 1-5 minutes. If you don't, you very well may singe your tongue and the roof of your mouth. You have been warned.

I have added a bit of frosting to the top when I had left over. That was good as well. You could add fresh fruit as a garnish, if so inclined. :)

Variation: For a slightly less rich brownie, instead use only 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder and only 4 tablespoons of water.

Enjoy!

The Hootenanny

You're probably thinking, what is a Hootenanny?  Is that a redneck thing?

The latter is what my husband's uncle would ask.  I, on the other hand, had never heard of such a thing.  When it came across as a breakfast food item on Pinterest, I was intrigued.

Admittedly, my husband and I are not big breakfast eaters, but I'm willing to try anything once and it seemed super simple.  I played with the recipe a little. 

Hootenanny

(Oven-Pancake)

Original Ingredients:                                     Food Junkie Ingredients:

1 cup of white flour                                            1 cup all-purpose white flour

1 cup milk                                                          1 cup 2% milk

6 large eggs                                                        4 jumbo eggs

1/4 tsp salt                                                         A handfull of blueberries

1/2 c melted butter

Mix flour, milk and eggs well (if you are using the salt, mix that in also).  Pour batter into a greased 13x9 pan (I used a glass pan).  Pour melted butter over batter (or sprinkle blueberries); do NOT mix.  

Bake in oven preheated to 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Time varies slightly depending on oven size and altitude.

Cut into pieces, drizzle with maple syrup--or a syrup of your choice--and serve!

Their Result

Food Junkie's Result

Conclusion:

Hubby liked it.  He worried me at first, because he said, "Wow, that's interesting."  That's usually a bad thing, but he took another bite.  "That's like French toast, an omelet and pancakes all mixed up."  I asked if that was good or bad, and he said it was a good thing.  I left him alone and knew that I would find out in a few minutes whether or not he actually liked it.

Sure enough, he finished the serving I had given him and then went back for more. Whew!

He and I discussed it and I will pour the butter over the batter next time, but maybe not as much.  We think it would be good to add a 1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon to enhance the flavor a little.  For a sweeter taste, I may add a little brown sugar as well.

All in all, I would consider it a success!  Go make yourself a Hootenanny!