Sunday Dinner at the Grover Hotel: Baking Brookies

 

Image copyright Betty Crocker

Brookies may seem intimidating, but they're really no harder than making chocolate chip cookie bars and brownies. The original recipe comes from Betty Crocker. I made a couple of changes which I will detail following the recipe.

This post contains affiliate links. If readers purchase a product through these links, I earn a small commission from Amazon.

Cookie Layer

3/4

cup granulated sugar

3/4

cup packed brown sugar

1

cup butter, softened

1

teaspoon vanilla

1

egg

2 1/4

cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

1

teaspoon baking soda

1/2

teaspoon salt

1

package (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

Heat oven to 350°F. Line 13x9-inch baking pan with foil. Spray foil with cooking spray.

For Cookie Layer: In large bowl, mix sugars, softened butter, vanilla and egg. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt (dough will be stiff). Stir in chocolate chips. Press dough evenly in bottom of pan.

Brownie Layer

2/3

cup butter or margarine

4

oz unsweetened baking chocolate, cut into pieces

1 3/4

cups sugar

2

teaspoons vanilla

3

eggs

1

cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

For Brownie Layer: In 1-quart saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly. Cool slightly. In medium bowl, beat sugar, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on high speed 5 minutes. On low speed, beat in chocolate mixture. Beat in flour just until blended. Pour on top of dough in pan.

Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack, about 2 hours. Remove from pan; pull away foil. Cut into 5 rows by 4 rows.

I used a box of Ghirardelli brownie mix to make the brownie layer, substituting 1/3 cup of melted butter for the 1/3 cup of oil called for on the package. I did not line the pan with foil. I melted the butter for the brownies in the pan and put the cookie layer directly into the pan.

Amazon Links

Ghirardelli brownie mix:

Best price per ounce (6 mixes)

https://amzn.to/3oBR2sT

Best variety 

6 mixes, two of each variety

https://amzn.to/3oKNAfP

Chocolate Chips

Best Value

Ghirardelli Semi=Sweet Chocolate Chips

6 12-ounce bags $16.68

https://amzn.to/2XvgJzi

13 x 9 nonstick baking pan

Wilton 2 pans for $17.36

https://amzn.to/39hXVsR

These are the ones I use and I have been very pleased with them.

I use Watkins baking vanilla, which can be purchased from my consultant page.

http://bit.ly/watkinshomebiz

You might also consider Monin Mexican Vanilla extract at $11.63 for 33 ounces. I have not tried this brand, but it has a 4.5 star rating on Amazon.

https://amzn.to/3i0KoK6

With a dessert this decadent, all a diabetic like me can say is, thank the deities of medicine for insulin!

Also, yum!

Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors on Pixabay

This post was featured at:

http://www.goodstufffromgrover.com

http://bit.ly/ornerycooking

While Nero Tweets, the Elderly and Disabled Suffer

  

Free use image by John Hain on Pixabay

This post is a response to this post:

https://kalpanawrites.com/shadow

I can definitely relate to the feeling of being a shadow of my former self. In fairness, my former self was a workaholic who didn't take care of herself at all. I'm kind of surprised that I didn't end up in an early grave.

I have been waiting on a disability determination for almost a year now. That people are punished for becoming disabled is unconscionable to me. However, seeing as my country is figuratively burning while Nero tweets (or he would tweet if he hadn't been booted off Twitter at least temporarily) nobody gives a rat's hindquarters about handicapped and elderly people, I can assure you.

Ornery Owl Has Spoken

Free use image by Open Clipart Vectors on Pixabay

Watkins Wednesday: Watkins Wonderful Guacamole Mix

 

Free use image by Julie Henriksen on Pixabay

https://pixabay.com/photos/avocado-food-nutrition-organic-1712584/

My son and I had some avocados to use up, so we decided to make them into guacamole. This was the easiest thing in the world to do with Watkins organic guacamole mix. Just mash two ripe avocados and blend in the contents of the seasoning packet. I like to add a bit of sour cream for smoothness.

Watkins guacamole mix contains no preservatives or flavor enhancers such as MSG hidden in unnamed "spices". The following is the complete list of ingredients.

Organic lime juice powder (organic rice maltodextrin, organic lime juice concentrate), sea salt, organic onion granules, organic garlic granules, organic red bell pepper, organic jalapeno, citric acid, not more than 2% tricalcium phosphate to prevent caking.

It can sometimes be difficult to find acceptable avocados. Placing avocados in a paper bag in a warm area can help them ripen faster. Never put unsliced avocados in the refrigerator as it delays their ripening. 

Watkins dressing and dip mixes make whipping up a quick meal or snack a breeze. Just add their chili mix to black beans, corn, chickpeas, and other favorite vegetables for a fast, hearty chili. For more protein stir in a bit of seasoned ground beef. 

Watkins taco and fajita blends contain no artificial flavors or sneaky spice blends. Everything is always listed on the label. Price-wise, Watkins seasonings are on par with grocery store prices but the quality is far superior.

Check out my Watkins consultant page to stock up on your favorite spice blends, or consider becoming a consultant yourself. http://bit.ly/watkinshomebiz

Don't forget to enter the Win Free Vanilla contest where you can win not only free vanilla but approximately $100 in other good stuff as well.

~Cie the Ornery Old Lady~

https://bit.ly/winfreevanilla

Guerrero Words: Of Wild Blossoming and Fog

Guerrero Words: Of Wild Blossoming and Fog: not quite J ournaling , week 1 through the fog, sweet coffee and books conjure warmth 12/14/2020 : Outside my window, my neighborhoo...

We get a fair bit of fog where I live. I love it as long as I don't have to drive in it. It can go on for literally 50 miles and then some, and driving in thick fog makes me claustrophobic. 

Dear Santa

  

Dear Santa, I don't want to set the world on fire or learn how to fly

Some places are so humid you could trim your tree with fish if you wish

The place I live is much too dry, it would seem, to do any such thing

So I tend to lean to swimming upstream with a mouth full of dust

After I import the weapons with which to arm bears and export toxic waste

My poisons inflicted on the poor, there is no way I can present myself as virtuous 

~cie~

https://thedailyspur.wordpress.com/2020/12/19/wish/

https://fivedotoh.com/2020/12/20/fowc-with-fandango-virtuous/

https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2020/12/19/saturday-mix-opposing-forces-19-december-2020/

https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2020/12/20/sunday-writing-prompt-20th-december-letter-to-santa/

https://thesoulsearchersite.wordpress.com/2020/12/19/6wsp-69/

https://sundaywhirl.wordpress.com/2020/12/13/wordle-486/

https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/2020/12/writers-pantry-51-years-end.html

humid and dry

import and export

after

arm

fire

fly

lean

mouth

present

seem

stream

swim

tree

trim

wish

virtuous

This poem was posted to these places:

http://poetryofthenetherworld.blogspot.com

https://lbry.tv/@poetryofthenetherworld:9

The Icky, Sticky, Nit-Picky Legalese If You Please (Or Don't Please)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

This work is the intellectual property of Naughty Netherworld Press/Poetry of the Netherworld.

Reblogging is acceptable on platforms that allow it. LBRY’s reblog function is called repost, which makes things confusing since reposting is considered a no-no on most platforms. It’s fine to share the post using the repost function on LBRY. It is not okay to copy-paste the material into a new post.

Sharing a link to the post is acceptable.

Quoting portions of the post for educational or review purposes is acceptable if proper credit is given.

Want more six-line story poems?

Get 'em here!

https://bit.ly/getmorepoetry

Share my mood on LBRY. You know you want to.

Naughty Netherworld Press on LBRY

https://bit.ly/nnpLBRY

Poetry of the Netherworld on LBRY

https://bit.ly/ponLBRY

Crazy Creatives Cheerleading Camp on LBRY

https://bit.ly/ccccLBRY

Sly's Free Speech Space on LBRY

https://bit.ly/sfssLBRY

LBRY is a decentralized content marketplace. I price the PDF versions of my work at approximately half of the Kindle price because I receive the entire amount rather than a royalty percentage.

Most of my work is free. A tip as small as 5 LBC (approximately $0.15) really helps, and it all goes to me.

You can get a free LBRY account through this link. You can earn LBC for viewing content on LBRY as well as from selling your content.

https://bit.ly/LBRYCard

New! I created a Haiga with the intention of honoring women artists and creatives. I have affordable prints, postcards, magnets, and mugs featuring my Haiga available from Deviant Art. 

http://bit.ly/ArtIsLifeHaiga

Celebration Clouds: Double Troiku

  

Free use image by Gerhard G on Pixabay

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/christmas-angel-christmas-angel-1052918/

I

mysterious landscapes

rise and unfold before my eyes

worlds of clouds

mysterious landscapes

in the dreams of my childhood

promise of wonder

rise and unfold before my eyes

in clouds on Christmas morning

when I still believed

worlds of clouds

promise happiness for all

to those who ascend

II

mysterious landscapes

in the dreams of my childhood

promise of wonder

mysterious landscapes

dreams of faraway places

clouds on Christmas day

in the dreams of my childhood

I believed in tomorrow

every dream a gift

promise of wonder

that only came at Christmas

a beautiful world

III

rise and unfold before my eyes

in clouds on Christmas morning

when I still believed

rise and unfold before my eyes

long-lost dreams of yesterday

with a childlike hope

in clouds on Christmas morning

I believed there were angels

watching from above

when I still believed

there was hope in the worst times

Father sang carols

IV

worlds of clouds

promise happiness for all

to those who ascend

worlds of clouds

billowing, ever-changing

they are no less real

promise happiness for all

clouds do not demand your faith

even at Christmas

to those who ascend

looking down upon the Earth

I wish you good cheer

~cie~

For my father, who now flies above the clouds.

https://chevrefeuillescarpediem.blogspot.com/2020/12/carpe-diem-1841-just-special-challenge.html

Write a double Troiku with the given Haiku.

https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2020/12/09/heeding-haiku-with-chevrefeuille-december-9th-2020-celebrations/

https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/2020-november-pad-chapbook-challenge-day-30

Write an "exit" poem.

The poem does not specifically use the word "exit," but it is (finally) the last poem for the November PAD challenge, and there is a reference to winter celebrations occurring at the end of the year.

I don't know if I'm going to enter the PAD chapbook challenge. I never win those things. I'm thinking about just publishing the poems myself, nuts to the contest part of it. 

The initial Haiku is © Chèvrefeuille and permission was granted by the poet for the use of this exercise. I am responsible for everything else. 

This triple-threat Troiku was posted to these places:

http://poetryofthenetherworld.blogspot.com

https://lbry.tv/@poetryofthenetherworld:9

The Icky, Sticky, Nit-Picky Legalese If You Please (Or Don't Please)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

This work is the intellectual property of Naughty Netherworld Press/Poetry of the Netherworld.

Reblogging is acceptable on platforms that allow it. LBRY’s reblog function is called repost, which makes things confusing since reposting is considered a no-no on most platforms. It’s fine to share the post using the repost function on LBRY. It is not okay to copy-paste the material into a new post.

Sharing a link to the post is acceptable.

Quoting portions of the post for educational or review purposes is acceptable if proper credit is given.

Want more thoughtful Troikus?

Get 'em here!

https://bit.ly/getmorepoetry

Share my mood on LBRY. You know you want to.

Naughty Netherworld Press on LBRY

https://bit.ly/nnpLBRY

Poetry of the Netherworld on LBRY

https://bit.ly/ponLBRY

Crazy Creatives Cheerleading Camp on LBRY

https://bit.ly/ccccLBRY

Sly's Free Speech Space on LBRY

https://bit.ly/sfssLBRY

LBRY is a decentralized content marketplace. I price the PDF versions of my work at approximately half of the Kindle price because I receive the entire amount rather than a royalty percentage.

Most of my work is free. A tip as small as 5 LBC (approximately $0.15) really helps, and it all goes to me.

You can get a free LBRY account through this link. You can earn LBC for viewing content on LBRY as well as from selling your content.

https://bit.ly/LBRYCard

Readers Roost: From Dill to Dracula Book Promotion, Review, and G...

Readers Roost: From Dill to Dracula Book Promotion, Review, and G...:   From Dill to Dracula A Romanian Food & Folklore Cookbook by A.M. Ruggirello Genre: Nonfiction, Cookbook Romania—a hidden gem of Easter...

Don't miss my review of this wonderful book filled with gorgeous pictures, interesting tidbits, and plenty of delicious Romanian recipes.

Happy Thanksgiving for those who celebrate such.