by Sandy Coughlin
The Reluctant Entertainer
Medford blogger, author, entertainer.
Years ago, my husband bought me Nigella Lawson’s cookbook on a business trip. This would have been at least 10 years ago, and I devoured her cooking ideas. This is when I learned how to make chocolate brownies gluten-free, but at the time I didn’t even know what “gluten-free” was.
This was at least 10 years ago, because we still lived in our old house on Havana Avenue. Do you ever do that? Relate the homes you’ve lived in to timelines and people in your life?
When I think about old friends, I think of which family came to our house–what house?–and then I realize how long it’s been since we’ve gotten together with some people.
Being honest here, I struggle with guilt regarding dinner party invitations. But I’ve learned along the way that life is full of seasons–beautiful seasons–and that they are two way. We’ve invited a lot of people to our homes in the past 22 years, for which I’m grateful. It’s not always reciprocated, which is fine! But I’ve learned: Expectations and guilt have to stop.
I’ve learned is to live each day as if it’s a huge gift, and ask to be guided. That’s my philosophy and prayer each day. You can’t be all and everything to everyone.
Back to Nigella and her delicious treats. Like I said, one of the most sinful desserts that I’ve ever made is her Walnut Chocolate Brownies, which are flourless and perfect for gluten-free guests! I say sinful, because they are indeed rich, and powerful. But oh, so good.
I’ve since adapted the recipe and call it Flourless Chocolate Brownies. You may recall a different version, here. Another “must-try” recipe.
How are you with seasons of life, when it comes to invites and expectations?
Recipe: Flourless Chocolate Brownies {ReluctantEntertainer.com}
Summary: Adapted from Nigella Lawson’s recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz bittersweet chocolate
- 1 cup butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup superfine sugar
- 3 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 ½ cups almond meal
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Melt the chocolate and butter gently over a low heat in a heavy-based saucepan.
- Take the pan off the heat, mix in the vanilla and sugar, and cool.
- Beat the eggs into the pan along with the almond meal and chopped walnuts.
- Pour into an 8- inch square baking greased or sprayed pan.
- Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, by which time the top will have set but the mixture will still be gooey.
- Cool and cut into squares.
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Cooking time: 30 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 6
Here’s another gluten-free brownie recipe, Flourless Brownies with Chocolate and Pecans
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