Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients

Butter, for greasing pan

¾ cup cooked black beans

½ cup vegetable oil
2 eggs

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

⅔ cup sugar
1 teaspoon instant coffee
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup mini chocolate chips, divided

⅓ cup flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

¼ cup confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 9-inch square baking pan.

In a blender, puree the beans with the oil. Add the eggs, cocoa, sugar, coffee, and vanilla. Melt half the chocolate chips and add to the blender. Blend on medium-high until smooth. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the blender and pulse until just incorporated. Stir in the remaining chocolate chips. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake until the surface looks somewhat matte around the edges and still a bit shiny in the middle, about 20 minutes. Let cool at least 15 minutes before cutting and removing from the pan. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve.

Cook's Note: Place a small cutout or stencil on the brownie before dusting to make a design.

Source: Melissa d'Arabian

Beatty's Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

Butter, for greasing the pans
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
2 cups sugar
3/4 cups good cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk, shaken
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
Chocolate Buttercream, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch x 2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.

Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.

Chocolate Frosting:

6 ounces good semisweet chocolate (recommended: Callebaut)

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
Chop the chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir until just melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue beating for 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to low, gradually add the confectioners' sugar, then beat at medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until smooth and creamy. Dissolve the coffee powder in 2 teaspoons of the hottest tap water. On low speed, add the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended. Don't whip! Spread immediately on the cooled cake.

Source: The Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten

Tomato Salad with Cheese Crisps

Ingredients

4 thick slices Italian bread, cut into cubes
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 pounds mixed heirloom tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 bunch scallions, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
3/4 cup grated Gruyere cheese
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss the bread with 2 tablespoons olive oil on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Bake until golden, about 8 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Whisk the mustard, lemon juice and vinegar in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the tomatoes, scallions and dill and season with salt and pepper. Add the bread cubes and toss to coat. Set aside while you make the crisps.

Toss the cheese with the flour and pepper to taste in a bowl. Arrange the mixture in 4 mounds on the baking sheet and flatten slightly. Bake until golden, about 10 minutes. Cool slightly, then remove with a spatula to a rack and let cool. Serve with the tomato salad.

Source: Food Network Magazine

Spanish Chicken and Potato Roast

Ingredients

1½ lbs. large Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1½ -inch pieces

4 cloves garlic, smashed and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
1½ lbs. skinless, boneless chicken thighs (5 to 6 thighs)

2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Freshly ground pepper
4 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh parsley
2 lemons (1 juiced, 1 cut into wedges)
2 large or 3 medium red onions, halved and thinly sliced

Directions

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven. Place a large cast-iron baking dish or a rimmed baking sheet on the rack and preheat to 500 degrees F. Put the potatoes, garlic, olive oil, 1 tablespoon water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large microwave-safe baking dish and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap, pierce the plastic in a few places with a knife and microwave 8 minutes to partially cook.

Meanwhile, pat the chicken dry and transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle with the paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add 2 tablespoons parsley and the lemon juice; toss to coat. Set aside.

Remove the hot baking dish from the oven; carefully add the potatoes and spread in an even layer. Scatter the onions on top. Roast until the potatoes start to brown, about 12 minutes.

Flip the potatoes and lay the chicken pieces on top, adding any accumulated juices from the bowl; return to the oven and roast until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 12 more minutes. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley. Serve with the lemon wedges.

Pasta Primavera

Ingredients

Kosher salt
12 ounces fusilli or other corkscrew pasta

¼ lb. sugar snap peas, halved lengthwise

¼ lb. broccoli florets
2 carrots, shredded
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

¼ - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

½ cup roughly chopped fresh mint

½ cup grated parmesan cheese
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli and cook as the label directs. Add the sugar snap peas and/or broccoli, carrots and bell pepper to the boiling water during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and vegetables and return to the pot.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until just golden, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon salt; cook until the tomatoes begin to wilt, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water. Pour the tomato mixture over the pasta and vegetables. Add the mint, parmesan and half the goat cheese and toss to combine. Season with salt.

Divide the pasta among bowls. Top with the remaining goat cheese and drizzle with olive oil.

Roast Chicken with Spring Vegetables

Ingredients

3 ½ pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken quarters

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper
1 lemon, halved
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound fingerling potatoes
2 bunches radishes
1 bunch scallions
1 bunch baby carrots

¼ cup chopped fresh dill

Directions

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Rinse the chicken and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper, then place skin-side up on a rimmed baking sheet. Squeeze ½ lemon over the chicken and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Roast 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the potatoes and radishes in half and cut the scallions into thirds. Toss the potatoes, radishes, carrots and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl; season with salt and pepper.

Remove the chicken from the oven and scatter the vegetables around it. Continue to roast until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is golden and cooked through, about 20 more minutes. Squeeze the remaining ½ lemon over the chicken and vegetables. Top with the dill and season with salt.

Source: FoodNetwork.com

Straight-Up with a Pig Patty Burger

Ingredients

2 heads garlic
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt 

Freshly cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
12 oz. thin sliced applewood smoked bacon
32 oz. ground beef (80/20 blend)
2 oz. Mornay Sauce, recipe follows
8 slices Cheddar Cheese

¼ c. chicken broth mixed w/2 tbsp. water
4 soft brioche hamburger buns
"Donkey" Sauce, for serving, recipe follows
1 kosher dill pickle, finely sliced

½ Vidalia onion, very finely sliced
1 heirloom tomato, finely sliced

¼ head iceberg lettuce, finely sliced

Directions

Special equipment: brick covered with aluminum foil

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cut off the top third of the garlic head to expose the cloves. Place onto a piece of foil. Drizzle with some olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover the garlic with the foil and place into the oven for about 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to the touch. Remove the garlic cloves from their husks. Reserve until ready to use.

Mince 1 teaspoon of the roasted garlic and melt with the butter in a small saucepan. Season with salt. Gently warm until the garlic becomes fragrant. Set aside in the fridge to slightly firm up again.

Begin by preparing the bacon for the pig patties. Set a large pot of cold water over high heat and add the bacon. Bring to a medium boil and cook until the bacon is very tender and almost falling apart, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Drain and set aside to cool.

Set a flat cast-iron grill pan over high heat. Divide the bacon into 4 even portions, form each portion into a patty and place on the grill. Press down with the foil-covered brick to squash the bacon together and into a flat patty so it crisps. Cook until golden and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and keep warm.

Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (8 ounces each) and form into 4 tight balls. Sprinkle the hamburger "ball" all over with salt and pepper. To the griddle pan (which still has some of the bacon fat on it) place the hamburger balls on and flatten with a strong, flat metal spatula. Flatten to approximately 1/3-inch thickness and continue to press down with the spatula as it cooks.

Cook until the burgers develop a crust on the first side, 1 1/2 minutes. Flip over and cook on the second side to develop a crust on that side, 1 minute. Add 2 ounces Mornay Sauce, if using, to the top of the hamburger and top with a slice of cheese. Place a dome lid over the top of the burger. Pour the chicken broth mixture on to the flat top so the liquid runs under the dome and creates steam to cook the burger and melt the cheese. When the burger is at desired point of doneness and the cheese is completely melted, remove the dome lid and set the burgers aside.

Brush the cut sides of the buns lightly with the garlic butter. Toast the buns on the flat top until golden and crisp, 3 to 4 seconds. Flip and toast the outsides so they are also lightly toasted, 3 to 4 seconds.

To assemble: Smear the "Donkey" Sauce on the cut side of both bun halves. Layer the base with pickle slices and the hamburger patty. Top with a bacon "pig patty." Top with the onions, tomato and lettuce, and then place the top half of the bun on top. Wrap in waxed parchment paper and serve immediately.

Mornay Sauce (Bechamel with Cheese):

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk, warmed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch grated nutmeg
3 ounces grated yellow American cheese

In a medium saucepan, add the butter and set over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt, and then sprinkle with the flour and stir with a whisk. Cook over low heat until the butter and flour combine into a mixture like wet sand. Once combined, stir for 1 to 2 minutes to cook the flour (but without adding color). Pour in the milk slowly as you whisk to combine. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens up, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the salt, nutmeg and cheese and stir until the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth. Set aside and keep warm until ready to use. Yield: 1 cup.

"Donkey" Sauce:

1 cup prepared mayonnaise

1/4 cup roasted garlic
1 teaspoon regular yellow mustard
4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
4 pinches ground black pepper

Mix the mayonnaise, roasted garlic, mustard, Worcestershire, salt and pepper together until smooth. 

Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes

My wife and I made Paula Deen's "Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes" last night. They were sinfully delicious and so simple to make. Below you will find the recipe. You will absolutely love these!!!

Ingredients:

1 (18 1/2-ounce) package chewy fudge brownie mix (recommended: Duncan Hines)

1 (12-ounce) package peanut butter chips or 24 miniature peanut butter cups

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 regular muffin cups with paper cupcake liners.

Prepare the brownie mix according to package directions for cake-like brownies. Fill the cups half full with brownie batter. Place about 1 tablespoon peanut butter chips in the center of the batter, or press 1 peanut butter cup into the batter in each muffin cup until the batter meets the top edge of the peanut butter cup.

Bake for 25 to 27 minutes, until the cupcakes are set. When they can be handled safely, remove them from the muffin tins and let cool completely on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

Credits: Paula Deen, Food Network