For the Love of Chocolate...

This recipe is for all of those women who love chocolate. If you don't, just stop now because this recipe is so amazing and rich. If you love chocolate, you will love these brownies.


Layers of Love Chocolate Brownies
3/4 C. Flour
3/4 C. Cocoa
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 C. Sugar
1/2 C. Butter, Cut into Pieces
1/2 C. Packed Brown Sugar
3 Large Eggs, Divided
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 C. Chopped Pecans (Optional - I didn't include these)
3/4 C. White Chocolate Chips
1/2 C. Caramel Ice Cream Topping
3/4 C. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Preheat oven to 350. Grease and 8 inch baking pan. Combine flour, cocoa, and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until creamy. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Reserve ¾ cup of the batter. Spread remaining batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle nuts and white chips over batter. Drizzle caramel topping over top. Beat remaining egg and reserve batter in the same large bowl until light in color. Stir in semi-sweet chips. Spread evenly over caramel topping. Bake 30-35 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into squares. (I doubled this recipe and made it in a 9 x 13 pan).

The Process:

Add the first chocolate brownie layer and add white chocolate chips

Drizzle with Caramel Topping
Add Chocolate Chips to the reserved Chocolate Brownie mixture

Put in the oven and wait patiently...Not Easy!
Make sure you have a gallon of milk on hand

Too much Zucchini...

What to do with to much Zucchini?


One Zucchini plant is enough Zucchini for a family of 6. Well, bought a pack of seeds. I planted 2 plants in our back yard. We have had a few Zucchini from them. However, we have another garden out in the country on some friends property. I planted the rest of the pack of seeds. All of the plants seemed to all come up and are doing amazing. Which means we are already sick of Zucchini. I have already given away a ton. We are going to have people hiding from us when we go to thier doors because they don't want any more Zuccini. So if you have this problem or maybe would just like some ideas for your Zuccini, here are a few recipes to help you out.

ROASTED VEGETABLES
From The Kitchen of Jamie Hurren
Comments: use any variation of veggies
INGREDIENTS:
Cubed and chopped veggies of choice (red potatoes, carrots, zucchini, squash, broccoli, peppers, onions, etc)
Olive oil
½ tsp salt
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
¼ tsp pepper
lots of granulated onion or real onions
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all in bowl.
Transfer to 9x13 pan.
Bake 375 for 30-3 minutes or until tender.


Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cake
From the kitchen of Julie Mustard
½ C. Margarine
4 Tbs. Cocoa
½ C. Vegetable Oil
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
1 ¾ C. Sugar
½ tsp. Baking Powder
2 Eggs
½ tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Vanilla
½ tsp. Salt
½ C. Butter milk
2 C. Grated Zucchini
2 ½ C. Flour
Cream margarine, oil, and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and blend again. Add dry ingredients, alternating with milk. Mix in zucchini. Spread into a 9 x 13 pan. Top with ½ C. chocolate chips, ½ C. Brown Sugar and ½ C chopped pecans. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Can be lightly dusted with powdered sugar.

Zucchini Bread
From My Grandmother who is my cooking inspiration.
Grease & Flour 2 loaf pans or 1 cake pan
Beat Together:
1 C. Vegetable Oil
1 C. Sugar
3 Eggs
Then Add:
2 ½ C. Washed and grated Zucchini
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Salt
3 C. Flour
3 tsp. Cinnamon
¼ tsp. Baking Powder
Pour into pans and bake on 350 for 60 minutes.

I have also grated Zucchini in sloppy Joes and Spaghetti. My family never knew. Pretty sneeky - I know!

Spinach Pasta Salad

6 oz. Pasta Twists
1/4 C. Toasted Sesame Seeds
1/2 C. Vegetable Oil
1 tsp. Sesame Oil
1/3 C. Light Soy Sauce
1/3 C. Rice Wine Vinegar
3 Tbs. Sugar
1/4 tsp. Pepper
1/2 tsp.Ground Ginger
3 C.Shredded Cooked Chicken Breast
1/3 C. Sliced Green Onion
6 C. Baby Spinach

Cook pasta and drain. Set aside
Combine sesame seeds, oils, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar,and ginger in a small bowl.
Pour over pasta in a large serving bowl. Add chicken and chill for at least an hour
Add green onion and spinach and toss before serving.

Southwest Chicken Breasts

This is a great summer time recipe. It is one of our favorites. Enjoy!

Southwest Chicken Breasts

6 Medium Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts
1 ½ C. Italian Dressing
2 Avocados, seeded, peeled, and chopped
2 Green Onions, Chopped
1 Tbs. Chopped Jalapeno Pepper
1 Tbs. Honey
1 Tbs. Lemon Juice
1 clove Garlic, Minced
2 Tomatoes, Chopped
Place Chicken in plastic bag with Italian dressing. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 24 hours, turning bag occasionally.
Meanwhile, combine avocados, tomatoes, green onions, pepper, honey, lemon juice, and garlic. Cover and chill up to 2 hours.
Drain chicken and grill uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes or till tender and no longer pink. Serve chicken with avocado mixture and, if desired, lettuce leaves.