Saturday, May 7, 2011

Everyone should keep a mother.

4rockyroadbrownieMy mom came to visit on Monday, for a month.

Since Monday,

my family has been well-fed

my house has been well-kept

my sanity has been well-preserved.

I’m sure she’ll be ready to give us up in a month, but for now I’m just enjoying it.

Here’s what we made on Wednesday. Like?

2rockyroadbrownie

When I grow up, I want to be just like a mother.

Happy Mother’s Day, dear friends.

7rockyroadbrownie

There’s no name for it (it was part of Food Network mag’s “name that recipe” contest). The contest deadline is over but can you come up with something, for fun?

The original recipe had peanuts instead and we added pb chips and mac nuts instead. It was crying out for something obvious like “rocky road brownies”. I think our version is better.

Brownies with stuffs on top (adapted very slightly from Food Network Magazine)

Printable version

  • 1/2 Cup plus 2 Tbsp butter
  • 6 oz dark chocolate, chopped (we used 7 oz)
  • 2 Cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 Cup good quality dark unsweetened cocoa
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 eggs, cold
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 Cup flour
  • 1 Cup mini marshmallows
  • 1 Cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 Cup peanut butter chips
  • 3/4 Cup macadamia nuts, toasted
  1. Line a 8x8 inch metal baking pan with foil. Butter the insides and dust with flour, shaking out to remove the excess. Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In a glass bowl, melt the butter and chocolate in the microwave. First microwave for 1 minute, stir, then microwave for 30 seconds, stir again. Microwave for 30 seconds more and stir again, making sure the chocolate is all melted and incorporated fully).
  3. Stir in the sugar, cocoa and salt with a wooden spoon until shiny. Mix until very well combined.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring well to combine each time.
  5. Stir in the flour, just until incorporated.
  6. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for about 30 minutes—check by poking it with a toothpick and it’s done if it comes out mostly clean—just a few crumbs clinging to it. Remove from the oven and top with the marshmallows, chocolate and peanut butter chips, and mac nuts. Return to the oven for 5 minutes.
  7. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then lift it out with the foil and put on a cutting board to let cool for at least a couple of hours. The brownies will become more dense and less crumbly. They will still be slightly crumbly. Cut and serve.
  8. You definitely need some milk, soy or cow’s or otherwise. Just be prepared.

8rockyroadbrownie

Here are some fun mother’s day links:

Mother’s day recipes featured by The Stir @ CafeMom (both Da and I are on the list!)

I can’t resist these sticky buns (except leave the pecans off for me).

Can I recommend a last minute mother’s day gift?

StumbleUpon

14 comments:

Katie Lewis said...

Those look SO GOOD.

Belinda @zomppa said...

How sweet. Well said. What a great partnership you have!

Christine Wu said...

Happy Mother's Day to you and your mom!

jalna said...

YUMMMM!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Mothers Day...hmm is it a smores brownie?

Carolyn said...

This post made me smile! And your no-name treat looks delicious.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear. This no-named beauty will soon make an appearance in my kitchen as well.

ちびか〜ちゃん said...

とっても美味しそうです!

お母さんが一ヶ月も一緒にいて下さる事
ほんと羨ましいです!
我が家も掃除してくれる人、食事を作ってくれる人
来てくれないかな?

Zoe said...

Happy belated mother's day. I like the way you wrote about your mother. very touching...what a nice way to celebrate mother's day with a delicious brownies with lots of great toppings! Yummy...

ashley said...

wow. yum.
how fun to have your mom around for a month! that will be awesome!
i don't really aspire to be rich, but what would be so fun about having oodles of money would be to go get you those spa gift certificates and give em to you just cause. wouldn't it be fun to do stuff like that?
anyways, happy late mothers day!

Mariko said...

Katie: Thanks. Wish we could have saved you one.
Belinda: It's so nice to have an extra partner around the house! Don't read that the wrong way. Ha.
Christine: Happy Belated Mother's day to you!
Jalna: Agreed. :)
Elle Marie: S'mores, Rocky Road, one of those...
Carolyn: Thanks. I doubt I'd be able to call it anything else.
mnoller: Tell me what you think!
akemi: I'll get my mom to read your comment to me in the morning. :)
Zoe: Thanks Zoe! Good to see you.
Ashley: I would also like to have oodles of money to bring our moms over here whenever. Oh, and go to the spa. All the TIME.

sophia said...

Oooh. Yummy. I think I would love to keep my mommy for a month. Uh, not longer than that since I also need my private space (mommies love to nag) but it would be wonderful having her around, for I shall never need to clean a toilet again.

That, and my mommy is awesome. :-)

Happy belated Mother's Day, Mariko! :D

Kristen said...

I like the name..."stuffs on top"! Happy Mother's Day, Mariko!

Ling said...

That looks delicious! Such a delicious chocolate-y indulgence. Hope you had a happy mother's day!

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