Last week, one of our customers told Jenny about an easy way to make extraordinary brownies out of regular ol'brownies-from-the-box: in the middle of the batter, make a layer of Hershey's Chocolate Bars!

1.     Follow the directions on a small box of brownie mix (the kind made for 8x8 or 9x9 pans).

2.     Pour half the batter into your pan.

3.     Make a layer of chocolate bars on the batter.

4.     Pour the rest of the batter on top, and bake as normal.

 Of course, Jenny and I made a long list of other things we could put in there besides just a candy bar (I mean if you're going to do it, do it BIG, right?).  Jenny tried spreading a thick layer of peanut butter on the chocolate bars before laying them in the batter.  This came out GREAT!  The layers were all melty, but kept their integrity.  If you put one of her brownies in the microwave for 30 - 45 seconds, it was heaven.

 I made a batch with a layer of caramel-filled Ghiradelli squares in the middle.  The squares all melted away inside the brownie, so I didn't acheive the amazing layered look that Jenny got, however these brownies were infused with the extra chocolate and caramel, and turned out to the be the moistest, gooiest brownies ever.

 Some of the other things Jenny and I thought we could try in there were:  peppermint bark, Hershey's Special Dark bars,  bacon (!), Heath bars, peanut butter & jelly...

 Anyone else have any suggestions?

One of Annie's great Urban Girl finds is the Gathering of Friends series of cookbooks.  The one we're featuring in the store currently is Volume II. 

These books were written by Michelle Huxtable, an interior designer in Utah.  She, along with her six children, created this collection of recipes, shopping lists, and decorating tips.  Gorgeous photographs!  We've picked  our favorite recipe to share with you: Bleu Cheese Potato Chips.  (If someone could whp these up and bring them to the store right now, that'd be great!)

BLEU CHEESE POTATO CHIPS

6 med. size potatoes

1 qt. vegetable oil

1/2 c. dry Parmesan cheese

1/2 c. crumbled Bleu cheese

1 tsp. Kosher salt

In large soup pot, heat oil on high until a potato slice pops quickly in oil.  Slice potatoes with a peeler in very thin slices.  Combine salt, Parmesan cheese and Bleu cheese tgether in a bowl to create cheese seasoning mix.  Drop handfuls of potato slices in hot oil and quickly fry chips.  Stir gently to separate chips.  Remove from oil, spread in a paper towel lined baking tray.  Sprinkle with cheese seasoning mix.  Repeat until all potatoes are cooked.  Serve immediately or keep in a warm 200 degree oven until ready to serve.

Please let us know if you make this dish, and what you think.  Meanwhile, you can buy the book by stopping by the store, calling us (916.231.8845), or here in our on-line store.

I made this recipe tonight and it was a hit!  Yummy  I used ground turkey instead of beef and it was great!

Steakhouse Shepherd's Pie

This is a great recipe that was given to me many years ago by one of my best girlfriends!  Yes, thats you Debbie:)

I have changed it a bit to make it a little healthier!  I like to make it a day ahead and let all of the ingredients combine,  that way I can pop it into the oven in the morning without any hassels.

I am going to make this so simple, but you will be shocked by how great it taste.  I made this recipe yesterday morning for my boys before they went to school.  Yes, I said before they went to school, and we leave @ 8am.  I usually make this recipe in mass quantity for our Christmas Morning Breakfast, along with all of our other traditions. 

1) Kings Hawaiian Bread (Two packs of the rolls)

2) 1 cup of blueberries or any other fruit that is in season

3) 2 cups of egg substitute mixed with a little milk

4) Dash of nutmeg

5) Dash of cinnamon

6) 1 Teaspoon of vanilla

7) Maple syrup (keep the container close by)

Butter a dish (whatever size you would like)  I base it on how many people will be eating and then I adjust the ingredients.

Tear apart the rolls and put them in to the dish.

Mix the eggs, a dash of milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg together.

Pour it over the bread just till it covers the bread.

Mash it down with a fork so all of the bread is coated.

Pour the blueberries over the top.

Drizzle maple syrup over the top (a lot!)

Cover and refridgerate over night or bake it now.

400 degrees for about 45 minutes.

When the top starts to get really brown I drizzle more maple syrup over the top!   Mmmmmm:)

Pull it out when it looks nice and fluffy and brown.

Of course we add whipped cream on the top, but you can make it your own and add whatever you like!

 ENJOY!

Let me know what you think....