Food Memories – The Last Brownie

Dara Bunjon is the woman behind the Baltimore Dining Examiner and Dara Does It.  She’s got her finger on the pulse of the food industry from PR to food styling to cooking instructions.  This post originally appeared on the BDE.  Many thanks to Dara for sharing…although I still don’t know what I would say to get the last brownie.

What Would You Say Or Do To Get The Last Brownie?

I don’t know why but my post have been a bit, not earth shattering thought provoking of late with Sandwiches cut diagonal or across – point and counter point, If you could choose just one cookbook and today’s question,  What would you say or do to get the last brownie? I’m not sure what has sparked my introspective meanderings but alas they are here.

To answer the question proffered, I go back to the scene in the movie Notting Hill and think a group of friends around the table, and then I think about the friends. Recently I have been dining a lot with media folks so these are who I first pictured in my scenario and think no,  they are very cognizant of their weight and would split the brownie equally or just manage one bite each.

Time to picture another group of friends and these friends are ones who are indulgent when it comes to food. I would have to be clever, manipulative and sharp – traits not high on my skill level but let’s give it a go. I will blame it on my dear mother, may she rest in peace, who would bribe me as a child with $10 if I could gain 10 pounds in a year.  That this brownie will bring me to the 10 pound mark for the year and with my ten spot I would make them my delicious five spice brownies for the next gathering. Option 2: As a child  being vertically challenged I always had difficulty reaching the counter top to get the cookies and brownies and my arms weren’t long enough to reach them on the table – I was deprived as a child. Hell, I’m just not that clever. Why don’t you have a go at it!  ( Related Story: Memories from my yout )

Five Spice Brownies

BAH Note:  These are some powerful brownies.  I made them to thank our neighbors who had come to our rescue with candles and dry ice during a power outage.  Of course, having to test them for quality control, the first batch never made it out of the house.  So a second box of Ghiradelli brownie mix was picked up at the store and transformed with a bit of orange zest and five spice powder.  It just so happened to be a snowy Saturday when batch number two finally made it next door.  And would you believe that when The Mistah and I went outside to shovel, the neighbors had already cleared the sidewalk in front of our house.  Now, I can’t guarantee that these brownies will have the same power with your neighbors, but it can’t hurt to try.  As Dara said when I related my neighborly story to her, “Simple is good at times.”  I couldn’t agree more.

• 1 box of Brownie Mix
• 1 orange finely zested (Microplane works great)
• ½ teaspoon of Chinese five spice powder (even McCormick makes this-not hard to find)

Add all the ingredients to a bowl and follow the box directions.

{printable recipe}