Decadent, Opulent Brownies

      I hobbled this recipe together from a couple different ones on AllRecipes.  I made 2 pans worth and brought them to church for an after service treat.  They were well enjoyed. 

Decadent, Opulent Brownies

Grease and flour a 9”x 13” pan. Preheat over to 350. 

1 cup butter, melted

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs, beaten

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix together with wooden spoon.

Mix in, gently and only as much as needed:

2/3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.  DO NOT OVERBAKE 

Cool slightly and frost with this mixture: 

Frosting: Boil together 6TB butter, 2/3 c sugar, 4TB milk for a minute, remove from heat and add 2/3 c chocolate chips and stir until melted.

Homemade Breakfast Sausage Spices

I used this recipe to season 15 pounds of ground pork today. I found it at Food Renegade.

Homemade Breakfast Sausage Spices

2 tbsp of dried sage
1 tbsp + 1 tsp of salt
2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp dried marjoram
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 pinches ground cloves
4 lbs of ground pork

Mix spices thoroughly through ground meat. Form into patties, if desired and freeze. I just pack evenly and flat in a zippy bag. It thaws so easily in a sink of warm water. 

The Refresher

I have been on a smoothie kick lately and this one just has to be shared.  It was really wonderful!  This made enough for my son and me, so I would double or even triple it if the rest of the kids wanted some, too. 

The Refresher

4-inch piece cucumber, cut in half
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup fresh mango, pineapple and papaya chunks
1 cup spinach, kale and chard leaves
1/2 cup coconut water
1/2 unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop Orgain vanilla protein powder
1/2 tsp Great Lakes kosher gelatin
3 ice cubes

Makes about 4 cups