Meals on Wheels brownies to the Rescue

Underneath that crispy top is the moist amazing rich and gooey brownie.

Thank you once again Chef Michael Smith.
Our daughter Katie and her husband are adding a room to their house for the imminent arrival of Baby no 2

Chris ,his father and his brother are building the room against all odds with the weather.
It has fallen on our side of the family to provide Meals on Wheels for the hungry and cold builders.
Today I made the very delicious Macaroni Cheese

and I decided to try out this recipe of Michael Smiths.

I added some chopped apricots for a little surprise.

This is incredibly easy and quite fabulous.
First in a double boiler (or a big bowl over gently simmering water melt the following
I lined my square 23 cm tin with parchment paper.

Cut the paper much bigger than the tin
This gives you a little handle to lift out the finished brownie.
Heat the oven to 170C

Take 225 gms unsalted butter
225 gms good chocolate
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

4 eggs lightly beaten

1 ½ cups flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

¼ cup chopped dried apricots
¼ cup chocolate chips.

Melt the Chocolate, butter and sugar in a double boiler (or a large bowl over gently simmering water.

Remove from heat
Add vanilla
Then eggs stir well to mix do not beat.
Sift dry ingredients together and throw in apricots and chocolate toss around.

Add to wet ingredients. Stirring well to combine but don’t be vigorous
Just fold till it’s all mixed in
Pour into tin and bake 25- 40 minutes.
Test after 25 with a skewer.
Don’t forget with brownies it doesn’t have to come out clean
But it must be cooked.

I took it out too soon
It was very forgiving I gave it another 10 minutes and it was just fine.

So rich…a piece that size is all you need.

A huge storm has brewed and it is horrible outside.

The team are still building and the construction is supposed to get its roof today...but it has been very challenging in this weather.

I took over a couple of Bacon and egg pies and a dozen little meat mince pies.

Here they are in my catering box fabulous for deliveries
Bacon and Egg Pies are a Kiwi favourite.
I use bought frozen flaky puff pastry…so easy
2 square sheets will suffice

Just line a greased pie plates with pastry
Quantity is for a 24 cm pie plate

Meanwhile
Saute in a tablespoon olive oil
1 chopped onion
1 stick celery
½ red freshly ground black pepper chopped
Remove from pan and cool

Light fry 7 rashers streaky bacon and chop into chunks
30 gms grated cheddar cheese

5 eggs beaten
Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper

Extra egg blended with 1 tablespoons water for glaze.

Prick the base of the pie and layer
Vege mix
Grated cheese
Bacon pieces
Seasoned beaten eggs.

Cover with the other sheet of pastry
Crimp edges together
Cut off excess then fold the edges over to ensure the egg doesn’t slip out.

Brush with egg wash and bake 200C for about 20- 25 minutes

The pies were delicious the storm is very nasty.