Perfect Brownie Bites

A Modern Take on Classic Cooking... Word of Mouth is the digital incarnation of a catering business I founded and ran in CT before heading out for the bright lights of NYC and a fulfilling career in media. My inability to stop thinking and talking about food, its history, beauty, influence, trends and many interpretations has caused more than a few sleepless nights and interesting dishes. Word of Mouth has been reborn, bringing you a fresh perspective on classics from all over the world. Recipes reinvented for the modern kitchen, a modern palate and a modern schedule. You’ll find easy-to-make and adapt recipes, tips for stress-free entertaining, favorite places, brands, tools, techniques and where to find them all wrapped up in stories that ignite inspiration. Godete. Apprecier. Bain Sult As. Enjoy!! Event consulting services include customized menu design, recipes, shopping lists, tips and time lines. Please contact me for a quote or more information at cathychristino@gmail.com BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK

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May 27

Perfect Brownie Bites

Perfectly bite-sized brownies get jazzed up for Memorial Day Weekend with vanilla bean ice cream, Dulce de leche, juicy raspberries and home grown mint.

One of my earliest childhood memories is of my mom baking brownies in the kitchen. Decadently fudgey and always perfect, I loved watching her make them almost as much as I loved eating them. And how I miss the guilt-free pleasure of eating the leftover batter with a spoon!

I ‘m obsessed with a just-right sized brownie bite at Pret A Manger, healthy-ish, fast lunch spots for the midtown work crowd. Since I don’t drink coffee, my occasional (okay, frequent) go-to pick me up is this pint-sized bit of bliss. So, when I recently came upon these really cool silicon mini brownie bake molds, I realized could make my own bliss right here at home.

The 24-Cavity Silicone Brownie-Squares Baking Mold from Wilton makes perfectly sized desserts for a crowd; and they’re so easy to clean up and store.

Last weekend, I broke the mold so to speak and updated my mom’s classic brownie recipe. I shrunk their original blueprint, eliminated the walnuts and stacked them with vanilla ice cream, Dulce de leche and chocolate shavings. Fresh mint and plump raspberries added a splash of bright color and flavor. This recipe is great on it’s own but you can also play around with your favorite flavors: mix in a 1/4 cup of peanut butter. cream cheese, raspberry puree or butterscotch chips or substitute the vanilla for mint extract. Using the brownies as a base for ice cream sandwiches is a fun idea for kids parties. Use your imagination and have fun!!

Recipe: Classic Brownies

Makes 24 bite-sized brownies

Ingredients

3 oz. Scharffen Berger or other good quality semi sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

Prepare

Preheat the oven to 350°. Prepare the silicone brownie pan with cooking spray or grease and flour an 8 x 8-inch square pan and set aside.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter and bring it to just below a boil. Place the chopped chocolate in a large bowl. Pour in the hot butter and let stand for 30 seconds. Stir until completely melted. Sift in the sugar. Beat in the eggs, and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Gently fold the flour, baking powder and salt into the batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes (25 - 30 if you’re using a square pan), or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes.

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