Hip Hip Hooray! I figured I would start the post out with something other than my usual .. "Hi everyone!" So.......now what? hmmm...let me try that again!
Hi everyone... (I am a creature of habit.. what can I say). Today my guest is Sara from OurBestBites! Sara and Kate maintain this little corner of the internet kitchen together. It's a brilliant idea really... (since the whole cloning thing is not really affordable)... having a partner to run a site with must be pretty fantastic and these two are no exception! They manage to post killer recipes, giveaways galore and loads of tips and tricks you can use in your kitchens! Head on over to their site and check them out to see what I mean!
Let's get started with the interview!
L. Chops :: What's your favorite ingredient when cooking?
Sara :: Garlic. Oh wait, butter. How about garlic and butter?
L. Chops :: What leftovers do you have lurking in your fridge right now?
Sara :: Nothing! We just got back from vacation and all we have in our fridge is half a carton of sour cream, some baby food, and about 27 bottles of assorted condiments. Hmmm...any ideas on what I can make with that?
L. Chops :: You could whip up a sour cream, strained peas and ketchup dip I bet...? mmmm maybe not.
L. Chops :: What topping(s) do you like on your pizza?
Sara :: Anything with pineapple. If I'm making it at home, I really like Asian BBQ Pizza.
L. Chops :: What recipe do you cook best (the one you are known for or that all your friends always want you to make)?
Sara :: Well if it's Christmas time, definitely these brownies! Otherwise, my black beans (you can get the recipe for her killer beans HERE). I lived in Brazil for a while and got used to eating beans every day. Mine aren't anything fancy, they're actually super easy and Brazilians will probably shame me for starting with canned beans. But for some reason people go ga-ga over them.
L. Chops :: If you were a salad, which dressing would you pick?
Sara :: I feel like I should be saying something fancy here, maybe throw in some French words, but I won't lie. Even though I have a million "fancy" dressings I love, my heart belongs to ranch. Homemade ranch. What can I say, I have a toddler and we dip everything in ranch.
L. Chops :: Wait. A. Minute. You mean he's cheating on me!?! He said MY heart belonged to him. That dirty rascal.
L. Chops :: What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
Sara :: Homemade Peppermint, hands down.
L. Chops :: Butter cream frosting or whipped?
Sara :: Oooh, toughie. I'm gonna go with butter cream. Mostly because it has the word butter in it.
L. Chops :: I am liking you more and more. We can officially be friends now.
L. Chops :: What's your favorite memory associated with food (date, family dinner, cooking with someone, etc…)?
Sara :: My husband and I were really good friends before we started dating. For our first official "date" he invited me over to his place and we cooked pizza together. It was so fun.
L. Chops :: What do you use to clean your dishes. Plain sponge, sponge with scrubber attached to one side, scrubber handle thing with soap refill, scrubber knob thing w/wo soap refill, kitchen towel, etc…
Sara :: I use my husband ;)
L. Chops :: Is he for hire? I bet you could make a fortune off of
him.
L. Chops :: Who is your favorite celebrity chef?
Sara :: Tyler Florence. I think my cooking style and taste in food is most similar to his. Plus, let's face it, he's easy on the eyes.
L. Chops :: If a recipe calls for a clove of garlic – how much do you really use?
Sara :: Oh I dunno...10? 12?
L. Chops :: If a recipe calls for vanilla – do you let the vanilla spill over the measuring spoon a little or a lot (or do you just double it like I do)?
Sara :: I never measure, I just pour in way too much, which is never a bad thing! (Okay unless you accidentally spill the bottle into a bowl of frosting like I did recently. I think I intoxicated the cub scouts who ate my cupcakes).
L. Chops :: Ok so that explains the pop corn I bought from them last weekend.
L. Chops :: Favorite spice or spice blend?
Sara :: Coriander. Not too many people use it, and it really freshens up so many things, especially Mexican dishes. It's the seed from the Cilantro plant.
Thanks for the terrific interview, recipe and pics Sara!
Peppermint Candy Cane Brownies
Brownies:
4 squares unsweetened chocolate (4oz)
1 C butter
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1t vanilla
1 1/4 C flour
1/2 t baking powder
Frosting:
2 C powdered sugar
4 T butter, softened
1 1/2 t peppermint extract
1 T milk
pink food coloring
Chocolate Glaze:
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (about a cup)
6T real butter
Additional:
1/2-1 C crushed candy canes (Bob's are the best!)
Preheat oven to 350
For the brownies: You will want to use a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch pan for these fellas.
Give the 4 squares chocolate a rough chop and place in a microwave-safe bowl with the 2 cubes of butter. Melt on 30-45 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Set aside. In a stand mixer or with electric beaters, beat eggs for about 3 minutes until thick and frothy. Add sugar and vanilla and beat to combine. Then add in the melted chocolate and butter. Combine flour and baking powder and whisk into brownie batter by hand until just combined. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Test with a toothpick for doneness and don't over bake! When brownies are done, cool on a cooling rack. When completely cool, pop in the fridge to chill. (makes the frosting spreading easier)
Next layer is the frosting. Combine all frosting
ingredients and beat until light and fluffy. Add extra milk by
teaspoonful if you need a little more. Spread evenly over
cooled/chilled brownies and place back in the fridge to chill again
while you do the final step.
Chocolate Glaze: Place chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and cook for 30 second intervals until smooth. Set aside for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, so it can cool off just a bit. Then quickly spread on top of brownies. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and place back in fridge until chocolate is set.
Thanks again Sara..and OurBestBites for being my guest!
Next Sunday I'll be my own guest (no cheese and crackers this time folks)..Yep....that's right. Little ole me. The interview should be pretty interesting...
Hope you all have a terrific week!
