Just Like the Box Brownies

DebbieM is to credit for this recipe. These brownies are honestly just like out of a box. They are so delicious, and so easy.

Brownies

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Cadbury is great)

2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup chocolate chips (or 1 Cadbury Bournville chocolate bar chopped)

1 cup butter melted and cooled (I've started using 1/2 c. oil and 1/2 c. water instead)

3 eggs

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan. (If you want thinner brownies, use a 9x13 pan.) Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, cocoa and sugar. Mix in melted butter and eggs. Mix thoroughly and add chocolate chips. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool completely in pan before cutting.

Macaroni Grill Bread and Penne Rustica

So I was sort of back. :) I'm moving slow right now, and not having a whole lot of time for internet and writing or even for myself. Life with three kids is wonderful, but life without a house helper is a bit rough! I have a lady doing the floors, but that's it. I feel like every night is consumed with household chores. But tonight I have a bit of time to give you some recipes I've been thinking about!

As one who loves Italian food and especially the Macaroni Grill, these recipes are some of my favorite. The bread is just right, and even without a few of the called-for ingredients, the pasta is really good too...

Macaroni Grill-like Bread

1 T. dry yeast

1 T. sugar

1 c. warm water (110-120 degrees)

2 ½ c. white flour

1 t. salt

2 T. fresh rosemary chopped or 2 t. dried rosemary chopped

1 T. canola oil, peanut oil, or olive oil

2 T. butter

Place yeast, sugar, and water in large bowl or food processor and allow mixture to become bubbly. Mix in 2 cups of flour and the salt. Add one tablespoon of chopped rosemary. Knead for about ten minutes by hand or in food processor about 30 seconds until smooth and elastic. Add flour if necessary. Oil a bowl, put dough in it and cover with a towel. Let dough rise in a warm place for one hour until doubled.

Punch down dough and divide in half. Let dough rest about 5-10 minutes. Grease a baking pan or cookie sheet. Shape the dough into two small rounded oval loaves. Melt margarine or butter. Brush over the top of the loaves. Sprinkle remaining one tablespoon of rosemary over the loaves and press lightly into the surface. Let loaves rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450˚F. Lightly sprinkle coarse salt over the loaves. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned.

Ummm... these are so good.

So now for the pasta...

Macaroni Grill-like Penne Rustica

Granita sauce:

2 t. butter

2 cloves garlic, pressed

1 t. Dijon mustard

1 t. salt

1 t. chopped dried rosemary

1 c. Marsala wine (I always substitute 1 c. chicken broth here, but this really makes the sauce).

¼ t. cayenne pepper or red chili powder

4 c. (32 oz.) heavy cream (I usually use less than this, 2 1/2-3 c, or half cream and half milk).

Penne Rustica:

1 oz. pancetta or 4 slices of bacon, chopped (if you have it... if not, it will be okay!)

1 pack Large or Jumbo Sumeru prawns

3 grilled chicken breasts, sliced

1 recipe granita sauce

1 lb. uncooked penne

3 t. pimentos, minced (I never have this!)

3 T. butter

1 t. chopped shallots or ½ c. chopped onions

1 c. grated parmesan cheese, divided

½ t. paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

6 sprigs of fresh rosemary for garnish

For sauce:

Saute butter, garlic and rosemary until garlic begins to brown. Add marsala wine and reduce by one third. Add remaining ingredients and stir til combined. Set aside.

For pasta:

Preheat oven to 475˚F. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, sauté pancetta/bacon until it begins to brown. Add butter, shallots/onions, and shrimp. Cook until shrimp are evenly pink but still translucent. Add chicken, salt, pepper and mix thoroughly. Add granita sauce and ½ c. parmesan cheese and simmer until sauce thickens.

In a large bowl, combine shrimp and chicken mixture with pasta. Place this into single serving dishes or one large casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese and pimentos and sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 475˚ for 10-15 minutes. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs. Serves 8.

This is one of my favorite dishes... love it! Hope you enjoy it!