Dinner with Friends Deserves Brownies

Yesterday was perfect for an outing with the family and what better ending to the day than dinner with friends - especially when they're doing the cooking so I can still spend as much time outdoors as possible.

But how can I show up with nothing to add to the table but a bottle of wine, no matter how delicious it is? So I thought I'd whip up brownies and although I have several recipes in the dessert section, and I love my Katherine Hepburn brownies more than you can imagine, I still always find myself looking for something even better.

I've mentioned before about going through my old foodie magazines and cutting out those recipes I can't possibly live without and I've mentioned that Epicurious.com and fineCooking.com both have recipe boxes where you can store your favorites. This time it was fineCooking that won with a delightful sounding best fudgy brownie. But if you know me, then you know that I can never leave well enough alone - and I'm sure that the basic brownie is great, but...well, let's just say that adding dried blueberries, toasted pistachio nuts and chocolate chips took it way over the top.

Better Than Best Fudgy Brownies with Pistachio Nuts & Dried Blueberries

These really do give my other brownie recipes a run for their money.

Awesome Burgers on the BBQ

Naturally this is a convoluted story, so if you must...the recipes are at the bottom of the post...but don't you WANT to hear about my first time at the BBQ in two years?

Recently we invited friends over for dinner at our place and somehow my Honey got to talking to her Honey and it was mentioned that a) I'm always whining because we don't have a BBQ and b) as it happens...her Honey was eyeing the latest Bobby Flay cookbook which just happened to be delivered here the next day. Bobby Flay's Burgers, Fries & Shakes is definitely a great little book if you're into burgers...and who isn't.

Somehow, the plans were altered a bit...we were invited there to use their BBQ and prepare the meal. but we all got in the act and had a blast with a little help with some beer and great music. Having perfect weather didn't hurt either.

Burgers a la Bobby Flay: local organic beef -preferrably chuck 80% lean, with an indent in the center for more even cooking; don't oil the grill - just oil the burger
The Menu:

Argentinean Burgers with Chimichurri Sauce

And a few of my old standards

Confetti Coleslaw

Roasted Potato Salad with Mint

Katherine Hepburn Brownies with "fixin's"

(vanilla ice cream, dark chocolate syrup & fresh fruit)

I even got these lovely flowers to take home. What's your favorite meal when getting together with friends? And is it at their place or yours?

Company's Coming and Best Balsamic Apple Cider Vinegar

The sun is shining, the market was perfect...except for one duo that sounded like they were torturing cats...but I won't dwell on that. I really didn't need a ton of things...obviously I had to buy some croissants and just look at this awesome crown of pain d'epi...

...so gorgeous and it probably won't even make it to dinner. I'm envisioning a relaxing afternoon after all the chores and running around....munching some of my favorite Ran-Cher goat cheeses smothered over chunks of fresh bread...but I digress....

We're having good friends over to enjoy some conversation, good wine and dinner. I actually prepared the main course yesterday. Although winter is officially gone and the sun is shining brightly, it's still cold enough for gloves and a leather jacket. So dinner will be a family favorite....

Chorizo & Bean Chili

Jalapeno Corn Bread

and Katherine Hepburn Brownies with some ice cream.

I'm even adding a new dish to the mix...Crunchy Cucumber & Red Pepper Salad with Cumin & Fresh Mint...from a gorgeous new cookbook...Once Upon a Tart ....but more about those in another post.

And what does all this have to do with going to the market and the photo at the top of the page?

Well, the secret ingredient to this chili is the Balsamic apple cider vinegar from Boates farms. I usually buy a couple of bottles in the Fall when we go to apple picking in the Annapolis Valley and the chili used up the last of my supply. This vinegar truly makes the best salad dressing ever. Drizzle a little with some almond oil over mixed spring greens and you'll have everyone licking the bowl clean and asking what you did to make it so tasty.

This morning, I was a little worried when Mr Elderkin himself (it's at his orchard that I usually buy the vinegar) told me he had run out...although I did buy a bag of beautiful honey crisp apples from him. Fingers crossed and breath held, I headed directly over to the Boates Farm stand and lo and behold...the last two bottles were sitting on the counter. I even was nice enough to leave one bottle behind for someone else to enjoy.

Now it's on to the rest of this glorious day, but what's your favorite "secret" local ingredient that you can't live without?