ok so the official chinese new year doesn't start til february 18, 2007 but i would prefer that it start sooner than later. wouldn't you if it was your year? some famous people born in the year of the boar include- tupac shakur
- thomas jefferson
- missy elliot
- lucille ball
- humphrey bogart
- parker mckenna posey
since this is my year according to the chinese calendar and zodiacs, i'm hoping good things will abound this year. this year is going to be a transitional year for me. graduation is only sixth months away! time to start looking for a job or applying to graduate school ::gulp:: but i'm excited for the new changes that will be happening in my life and the little steps i'm taking towards full "adulthood." eeeep! adulthood sounds scary. adulthood = more responsibility and having to pay off my college loans! but then i think i'm looking too far into the future and forgetting the six months i still have left of school...all-nighters, lots of caffeine in many forms, spray mount, not enough RAM on my computer to run all the programs i need for class, long critiques. sounds worse than it is, but it's still a relief to be doing something that may not be making 6 figures, but at least i can say that i really did enjoy my classes and the work that i've done. woohoo.
anyway, today j went to work and t and i were left to our own devices. MUAHAHA. that of course included food and drink. t and i decided that we would make ourselves a new years feast of snacky type foods and drink. then make our way over to tuco's for dessert. t decided she would make spinach artichoke dip and i decided on making sticky sesame chicken wings and we were both going to make some tartines that we saw ina garten make on "barefood in paris." after hitting the grocery store we returned home w/ our lovely ingredients and started cooking up a storm.
i started on the sticky sesame chicken wings which was basically some minced garlic, 2 parts each hoisin, soy sauce and honey to one part sesame seed oil and a pinch of cayenne tossed w/ chicken wingettes and baked in the oven then tossed again when cooked w/ sesame seeds and scallions. trish started w/ the spinach artichoke dip. they both turned out pretty good. then i continued on w/ brownies. a pretty simple recipe from CHOW mag
CHOW's Intense BrowniesThe brownies came out pretty good. The espresso really helped to make the brownies "intense." Nothing like food cooking and fresh baked goods to make the house or apartment smell lovely.
CHOW's version of this classic is not too sweet and just a bit fudgy, with a nice cakey top. This recipe is for purists but add in nuts or chocolate chips as you like.
What to buy: We make this recipe using 60% bittersweet chocolate, but for more intensity feel free to use a chocolate with a higher percentage of cocoa (not unsweetened.)
Game plan: All the ingredients should be at room temperature before beginning. These brownies will last three days in an airtight container.
Time/Servings:
Total Time: 45 minutes
Active Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 16 brownies
Ingredients:
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon brewed espresso
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions:
1.) Heat oven to 350 degrees F and place the rack in the middle of the oven. Line an 8-by-8-inch glass baking dish with aluminum foil.
2.) Stir the chocolate and butter together in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until just melted. Remove and set aside to cool to room temperature.
3.) Briefly mix together the eggs, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, espresso, and salt. Add the cooled chocolate and mix well.
4.) Fold the flour into the batter until just incorporated.
5.) Pour the batter into the baking dish, and bake until a tester comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Place on a wire rack and cool completely before cutting.
Hope everyone had a fun and safe new year! Good luck in 2007!
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