Brownies

In the mood to bake a simple, easy, quick, classic crowd-pleasing dessert using ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry? This one's for you.

These will be sure to disappear fast at work tomorrow...


Brownies (adapted from TD's Brownies III)

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, beat together eggs and oil with a whisk until blended.
2. Combine remaining ingredients. Add to the egg mixture and mix well (but don't over-mix!)
3. Spread batter in a greased 9" x 13" pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

(Pssst... In the midst of making these brownies, I realized I only had one cup of white sugar left. I substituted the second cup with light brown sugar, and they turned out just fine.)

Simple as that.

Cheers,

L

Mini Garden Update #2

I'm happy to report that I have actual basil (not a weed this time) and tomato seedlings growing! The tomatoes are going a little wild... I did not expect such a big turnout! ;)

Tomato seedlings gone crazy!

Baby basil plants. :)

Homegrown fruits, veggies, and herbs... here I come!

Are you starting a garden this year?

Cheers,
L

Mini Garden Update

Meet Henry. My first baby basil sprout. He was just planted 2 days ago! Look at him go! He is already about a 1/2 inch tall. (Can you tell I have too much free time?)

Cheers,
L

SAD UPDATE:  I showed that picture to a seasoned gardener I work with, who is also sprouting some basil right here in the office, and she thinks Henry is just a weed. He looks nothing like the basil she is growing in her office. :(

The Beginnings of My Summer Garden...

Not too much to blog about these days, but there is something I am quite excited about. This past weekend I started my summer garden.

On the left we have basil, and on the right we have tomatoes (they're in there, somewhere). The tomato planter is a lot bigger than it looks in the picture. I'll keep the basil in its original planter, and when the tomato seedlings grow to about 5"-10", I'll transplant to a bigger container. For now, they'll rest in a warm spot here in the office where there is AMAZING sunlight in the morning and afternoon. They'll stay inside here until it gets warm out. This is my first time planting anything from seeds, so I really hope they grow successfully. Keep your fingers crossed for me!  I hope to be making plenty of pesto and caprese salad with the fruits of my labor. I hope to also plant thyme, rosemary, mint, sage, oregano, and of course cilantro...my all-time favorite herb. Hopefully some peppers, too. And flowers, of course, 'cause they're pretty. :)

One last thing I'd like to share... there are few things more delightful than treating yourself to a nice, quiet, solo sushi lunch.

Miso soup.

California roll (goin' back to the basics), tuna roll with cream cheese & avocado, tuna roll which was supposed to be yellowtail but oh well, and salmon roll. After I finished my rolls and tasting how fresh the salmon was, I ordered some salmon sashimi, but I devoured it before I could remember to take a picture. Whoops.

I love that no matter where you go for sushi, or how simple your order is, the chef always takes the time to place the food so artfully on the plate. It makes the experience of eating your favorite food so much more enjoyable. :)

Cheers,
L