Quickest Chocolate Brownies

I was recently given Jamie Oliver's 30 Minute Meals. As a bit of a Jamie fan I was really excited about the recipes it contained. The concept of cooking a wonderful meal in 30 minutes really appealed to me.

Since having this book I have created an array of meals that are quick, easy and incredibly tasty. I have to admit, however, that the '30 minute' time frame is a tad optimistic. I'm sure that a talented chef like Jamie in a kitchen with all the gizmo's and gadgets and most importantly no interruptions, whizzes through these meal plans. But me? With four children and a disorganised kitchen where half my appliances are either dead or dying? I think 45 minutes is a bit more realistic.

Anyways; I am waaaay off topic here. What I want to share today is a recipe that in essentials is Jamie's, but I have done my usual and butchered it to suit me. This is, quite frankly, the quickest brownie recipe going....and is pretty yummy to boot.

Ingredients;

200 grams dark chocolate
250 grams unsalted butter
200 grams caster sugar
6 tablespoons cocoa powder
4 heaped tablespoons self raising flour
4 eggs
chopped nuts (optional)

Firstly chop up the chocolate roughly and cut up the butter into chunks. But both into the food processor and add the caster sugar, cocoa, flour. Blend together in the processor. Crack in the eggs one at a time while the motor is running. Once it is all mixed together spoon the mixture into a lined and greased tin. If you're adding nuts sprinkle them over the top. Now bake in a preheated oven for approx 15 minutes. With brownies you ideally want them to be cooked on the top but a little gooey on the inside. Mmmmmm! Serve with cream, ice cream...anything you like!

I would also like to note that some of the chocolate didn't process properly in my food processor. Don't worry if this happens to you as you will only end up with some lovely melty chunks through your brownie.....delicious!

For more Jamie head over to his awesome website.....JamieOliver.com

Sticky Chocolate Cake with a hint of coffee.

I made this cake yesterday.....for Mother's day...... for myself. When it came out of the oven I was disappointed. It looked flat. Not the beautifully fluffy and high creations I usually yield in my kitchen. Then, I tasted it and all of my misgivings were thrown out the window. It was divine, delicious, perfect I tell you. I've learnt my lesson well and truly....you can't judge a cake by it's cover!

Sticky Chocolate Cake with a hint of coffee.........

125 grams butter

100 grams dark chocolate

1/2 cup of water

1 1/2 tbsps cocoa

1/2 tsp instant coffee

3/4 cup caster sugar

1 egg

125 grams self raising flour

Place butter, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, water and sugar in a saucepan over low heat.

Gently stir until melted and combined. Cool slightly.

Add egg and whisk in well.

Whisk in flour and ensure there are no lumps.

Pour into a greased cake tin and bake at 180C for 45 minutes or so ( I always check after 30 minutes)

Top with this rich and delectable icing;

Ganache icing

200 grams dark chocolate

1/2 cup cream

Heat cream in a sauce pan until it begins to boil. Break up chocolate into a small heat proof bowl. Tip the cream onto the chocolate and stir until the chocolate is melted and the icing is thick. Cool and then ice the cake with this glistening confection.

I named this "Sticky Chocolate Cake" as it made everything in my house sticky, the children, my kitchen, my table, chairs and me!

Choco-nut Sundae

This recipe is a saviour. It is something you can throw together in a matter of minutes for one of those emergency desserts. Best of all, it tastes absolutely divine!

Choco-nut Sundae

175mls cream
100grams dark chocolate, chopped (milk chocolate may be preferred for children)
100grams crunchy peanut butter
50mls golden syrup

Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and cook over low heat until smooth.
Drizzle over large, luscious scoops of good quality ice-cream and sprinkle with chopped nuts.

Fabulous, Just Fabulous!

Chocolate and condensed milk truffles.

These are so yummy, so easy and this recipe makes so many that you'll be eating them for a week - although I eat so much of the mixture while I'm cooking that they only last a day or two at my house. You could add all matter of different ingredients to this, my girlfriend adds sultanas, for adults you could add a splash of alcohol. Do with it what you will!

Ingredients;
250 gram packet of biscuits ( I use Milk Arrowroot)
1/3 cup of cocoa
1 cup dessicated coconut
1 can (395 grams) of condensed milk

Process biscuits in a food processor ( or else smash them up in a zip lock bag with a rolling pin - it's surprisingly fun & therapeutic!)
Pour the crushed biscuits in a bowl, add the cocoa and the half of the coconut.
Make a well in the centre, add the condensed milk and mix well. Now put the mixture in the fridge to chill for 20 minutes or so. This will make rolling them so much easier.
Put the remaining coconut on a plate. Roll the chilled mixture into balls, roll in the coconut and put in a airtight container to store in the fridge.
Kids love to help with the rolling part, although it can get a little messy!

This is a lovely treat to share for afternoon tea when the kids get home from school or even better, to have with a sneaky cup of tea and keep them all to yourself!