Outrageous Brownies

I love Ina Garten's outrageous brownies, depending what baking form you use and how long you bake them, they would either come out fuggy or nice and fluffy like a cake. I personally prefer brownies that taste like cake, nice and fluffy. Some other people might like it all gluey and fuggy. Most of the time, I bake them 9 x 13 glass square dish and bake it up to an hour. That way they turn out all like a cake. Today I baked them in muffin tins, as I need to give them away as a little Thank-You gift to our optician lady, Heidi @ Osaka Today in Aberdeen Centre. I went through a dramatic & outrageous experience at Eye Star in Richmond Centre. Never go there, they will just ruin your glasses like they did with Ethan's glasses. Horrible. It went from a little bend to completely not wearable. His nose pad was all broken and the wire that holds the nose pad, fully scratched. I should have just known better and not brought it there to get it adjusted. However, it was late, my boys were tired and just finished their hair cuts, so I thought, mind as well, get it all done in one spot. BIG MISTAKE !!!! She took over an hour, got very nervous as I must have been breathing over her neck and according to her, the reason why she can't fix it, is that I was too fussy. I lost it, after all, she is the professional, right ? It should not take her an hour + brake the nose pad and scratch the wires. That wasn't just it, she was so afraid and was not able to argue any longer, she called the security on me to have me escorted out the store. I must have completely gone mental by then. I did not leave the store instead I talked to the security and showed them Ethan's glasses. He was so shocked and asked that lady to repair it for me - at least so he will be able to wear it. She was not given a choice. I felt so angry at her. I have never ever had this kind of experience ever before. Not even, when growing up in Germany. Anyhow, today I can just laugh about it and b/c I reported her to BC Association of Opticians and they have suspended her license until further notice. TOO BAD !!! She better polish up her resume as I will make sure she will not work any longer in the service industry. With a big smile poor Heidi had to repair her mess but Heidi took only less than 10 minutes to do so. Ethan's glasses are practically like new, I just need to bring them in for one day to have it spray painted. We all love Heidi. Exceptional service and prices. Whenever you need a pair of glasses, you should try Heidi @ Osaka Optical in Aberdeen Centre. Do mention my name or simply say the mommy of the ET siblings. She will give you a sweet deal.

Outrageous Brownies, adapted from Ina Garten

1 pound unsalted butter
1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
6 extra-large eggs
3 tablespoons instant coffee granules
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups chopped walnuts

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2:
Butter and flour a 12 x 18 x 1-inch baking sheet.

Step 3:
Melt together the butter, 1 pound of chocolate chips, and the unsweetened chocolate in a medium bowl over simmering water. Allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl, stir (do not beat) together the eggs, coffee granules, vanilla, and sugar. Stir the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and allow to cool to room temperature.

Step 4:
In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup of flour, the baking powder, and salt. Add to the cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and 12 ounces of chocolate chips in a medium bowl with 1/4 cup of flour, then add them to the chocolate batter. Pour into the baking sheet.

Step 5:
Bake for 20 minutes, then rap the baking sheet against the oven shelf to force the air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Bake for about 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not over bake! Allow to cool thoroughly, refrigerate, and cut into 20 large squares.

Enjoy !!