[christie]

Just in time for the weekend, our president has released the secrets of his Iraq plan (I trust you to keep the secret.) He's busy in the war room, so as his top shelf (chief of staff), I've been entrusted to pass it along to you. (Oh, all right, I stole it while he wasn't looking. Sheeeesh)

To Die for Brownies

• 8 ounces 70% bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 scant cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1/2 to 1 cup walnut halves or pieces

Adjust a rack 1/3 up from bottom of the oven and preheat to 325 F. Butter or line with parchment paper an 8-inch square cake pan and set aside. Heat the chocolate and butter in the top of a 2 1/2 to 3-quart double boiler or water bath. Stir occasionally until melted. If necessary, whisk to smooth. Remove from heat, stir in the salt, vanilla, and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring after each addition until incorporated.

Add the flour and stir briskly for about a minute until the mixture is smooth and shiny and comes away from the side of the pot. Stir in the nuts. Turn the mixture into the pan and smooth the top.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted gently into the center comes out moist, but free of batter.

Remove from the oven. Cool on a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes sixteen 2-inch brownies.

[christie]

Chief of Staff = Chief of Stuffed Bell Peppers

[stanz]

Wow, all this espionage!
Those brownies look mighty good. I'll pass the recipe on to Noelita who just loves to bake for me. Unfortunately, it won't be this weekend. Yesterday was her birthday and as part of the celebration (she's been celebrating all week)we will be having her cake tomorrow night - - no, not a homemade cake...a large expensive one from Amy's Bread on 46th & 9th Ave. in NYC. Last year, I baked one...I guess that's why we're buying one this time.