Dear Friend,
When I finished my monthly grocery shopping today, I found myself shy of my target spending by five dollars. At the store where I shop, there are often incentives to spend money, but rewards as well. I glanced around for something that would cost five dollars, so I’d be eligible for a twenty-five dollar refund. The items I chose were two Snickers candy bars.
That really took me back! I haven’t eaten a Snickers bar in years! In a job I had years ago, I made a 4:00 p.m. daily run to the candy machine in our building’s lobby. I purchased items for others as well. The candy I always chose was a Snickers bar.
In my books, I resist the urge to mention sweets or chocolates. I do like chocolate, and my character, Louisa, likes chocolate. One aspect of their family business is that they offer chocolate, which Will purchases from cacao bean growers in Belize, at the vineyard gift shop.
In my newest book, chocolates and flowers become a gift for Will’s college Professor to thank him for helping them find a home. You’ll be able to read my newest book in the next few months, but if you’d like to read the books already published, see my website to choose a book and purchase it on Amazon or other booksellers.
My chocolate of choice is dark chocolate. I love the subtle taste and the fact that it’s supposed to be healthier to eat than milk chocolate.
Someday, I hope to actually go to a cacao plantation in Belize, but for now, my research makes me appreciate the hard work cultivating cacao beans is and the result which gives me joy!
Since the climate I’m in (Arizona) makes baking unbearable most of the year, I don’t bake much most days. When I do, brownies are my “go to” choice. My recipe follows this blog.
Meanwhile, contemplate what it takes to create our national obsession– chocolate candy! About 400 beans produce one pound of chocolate! And worldwide, the cacao farmers harvest 5 million tons of cacao beans each year!
Now, my ~~~
Easy Brownie Recipe:
Buy a box of brownie mix. (Laugh if you must! We’re going for easy here!)
The most important ingredients for flavor: (beyond what the box calls for)
- Add an extra teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ½ cup of walnuts or pecans – chop them into small chunks (and put aside 16 complete nut halves)
- ¼ cup of shredded coconut (preferably, unsweetened)
- A small handful of small, dark chocolate chips, ¼ cup or less
Follow the recipe, adding the chopped nuts, vanilla extract, shredded coconut, and extra chocolate chips after everything else is mixed together.
(You can sprinkle the coconut on the surface of the batter instead and add the nut halves in patterns of 4 rows by 4. It avoids arguments over who gets which brownie if you’ve laid out the nuts in even rows before baking.)
Comment: If you’d rather not use it, omit the coconut. If you’re allergic to nuts, omit them, too.
Tip: Don’t over-bake the mix. Take it out a couple of minutes ahead of the time the directions say to bake it. Let it cool completely and it will be fudgy and rich, but not too dry. When the brownies have cooled, take a plastic knife to cut it. It just seems to work better.
Enjoy!
Happy eating and reading!
