Tuesday, September 13, 2011

All dressed up and nowhere to go


I love vacation time--especially the kind where I get to stay home.  Sure, it's fun to go places and visit people, but traveling can also be stressful.  I'm ready for a break from stress.  It's nice to be able to hang out and relax, and maybe catch up on a few things.  Jamie's vacation time can roll over, but mine is the use-it-or-lose-it variety.  So you can bet I'm going to use it, even if it means staying home by myself.  To be honest, being on my own isn't bad. =)  Brianna is in school, and Jamie is at work.  Gillian stayed home with me yesterday and will probably do that again later in the week, but that's okay.  One child at home with me is peaceful--both would be another story.


Knowing that I had a whole week ahead of me with plenty of time to spend in the kitchen, I was completely lazy this past weekend.  I cooked dinner on Sunday, but that was about it.  But that was okay, since I'd actually made this week's TWD recipe over a week ahead of time.  Anne of Anne Strawberry picked Classic Brownies as this week's selection.  That was perfect, since I needed something to pack in lunches last week.  Only one problem--we managed to polish off the brownies without me taking any pictures of them.  Oops.

So yesterday morning, I set out to make them again.  I actually started off my day by turning a whole bunch of raspberries (I love Costco) into raspberry sauce.  Then I made the brownies.  It's an easy recipe--one bowl, and whisk and a spoon are all you need.  I skipped the nuts and put in chocolate chips instead, since I don't care for nuts in my brownies (and B's school has requested no peanuts or tree nuts if possible, due to a student with a severe allergy).  I baked the brownies for 30 minutes, and was quite happy with the fudgy texture.  Next up was ice cream, since there wasn't any at all in the freezer.  I made vanilla bean (with a splash of rum), figuring it would go nicely with another TWD recipe that I plan to make this week.  Once I was done with that, I realized that I had all the makings of a fabulous brownie sundae.  I also figured a sundae would be a way to make the brownies more photogenic.  And my children now think I'm the best mom ever. =)


The verdict?  We really enjoyed these brownies, both plain and dressed up.  While they don't quite displace my all-time favorite, they are very high on my list.  It certainly wasn't a hardship to make them twice, and I'm sure we'll be making them again.  I'd like to try the recipe with other mix-ins, like peanut butter chips (just for eating at home).  

If you'd like to try these for yourself, head over to Anne's blog for the recipe.  To see how everyone else played around with these brownies, check out this week's Links.  


12 comments:

  1. Looks like you took a perfect recipe and made it amazing! Wow.
    Have a great relaxing week.

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  2. I love being lazy and staying home! Trips are fun...but your right stressfull too!
    The brownies look perfect with the goodies on top!

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  3. Beautiful shots, Di! I'd love to dig into one of those sundaes right about now! :)

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  4. Yum, you're speaking my language with your brownie sundaes Di :) I have got to try that raspberry sauce one of these days, it sounds fantastic!

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  5. Wow you made an awesome brownie amazing! Love your additions!

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  6. Raspberry sauce - sounds divine. And looks amazing!

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  7. Brownie sundaes are what dreams are made of.

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  8. Hope you are enjoying your vacation!! Sometimes there is nothing better than a little time on your own. That dessert place looks like utter decadence to me!!

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  9. I love it when you are on vacation, more time for us to cook/bake together on Twitter!! Mark would like one of these, can you send one over?

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  10. A vacation at home alone!! Perfect!!

    The brownie sundae. BEAUTIFUL!! I want one now!!!!

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