Aztec Dancing, Spicy Aztec Brownies and a Giveaway

The pictures below are from the Aztec Dancing that took place close to the SFA campus. We attended, Jack in tow, who for the most part was amazed by the “warrior” dancers and a bit scared as well. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.









On another note, I have been extremely busy, as you may have noticed from my week-long absence. Between teaching, grading, PhD applications, and a few other projects still up in the air that need some nursing, I don’t even have time to do laundry…so don’t come around our house, we stink ;).

But I wish I could have had you over to share these brownies with you. They are from Camilla Saulsbury’s new cookbook, The Ultimate Shortcut Cookie Book, which is one of the sweetest, most flavorful, and most delicious baking books that I own. You may have heard of Camilla on the Food Network, where she won the Ultimate Cookie Challenge, or maybe from all the other cooking contests where she has participated and won. She is truly a goddess in the kitchen and I have been fortunate to taste several of her creations.

We live in the same town and our two boys are the same age. She is an amazing, inspiring, and generous person, which reflects in her recipes as well. This latest book is packed with 745 recipes that are quick, easy, and big on flavor and deliciousness. On almost every one of the recipes, Camilla gives the reader tips for flavors, techniques, and variations. The flavor combinations are divine, as you can see from the following recipe. It is one of those must-have books, and as such this post’s giveaway is Camilla’s cookbook, actually three of them.

In order to enter the giveaway, all you have to do is comment on this post and I will announce the three winners next Tuesday(November 17th). I will use Dana’s (at Dana Treat) method of winner selection (Jack will pull the numbers out of a bowl). In the meanwhile, whip up some of these beautiful brownies. You won’t be disappointed.



Spicy Aztec Brownies

Camilla says: Melted butter, a handful of dark chocolate, a kick of cayenne, and a sheen of cinnamon glaze makes for one intensely delicious Aztec-inspired brownie.

Ingredients:

1 ½ tablespoons instant espresso or coffee powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 (19.5 to 19.8 – ounce) package brownie mix
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup water
2 large eggs
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 (1-ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 recipe Cinnamon Glaze (recipe following)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 F (325 for dark-coated metal pan). Position rack in the lower third of the oven. Spray the bottom only of an 8-inch-square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray (or foil line pan).

Dissolve espresso powder in the vanilla in a small cup. Combine the brownie mix, melted butter, water, vanilla-espresso mixture, eggs, and cayenne pepper in a medium mixing bowl with a wooden spoon until just blended and all dry ingredients are moistened; stir in the chopped chocolate. Spread batter into prepared pan.

Bake for 40-44 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean (do not overbake). Transfer to a wire rack.

Prepare Cinnamon Glaze; spread over warm brownies. Cool completely. Cut into squares.

Makes 9 large or 16 small brownies.


Cinnamon Glaze

Camilla says: Depending on the degree to which you like cinnamon, you can increase or decrease the amount of cinnamon here. Alternatively, use the recipe as a template for other spicy glazes, substituting the ground spice of your choice, or a combination, for the ground cinnamon.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, meted
2-3 teaspoons milk

Preparation:

Whisk the powdered sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a small bowl until smooth. Add just enough milk, a teaspoon at a time, to make glaze a thin spreading consistency, whisking until smooth.

Makes about ½ cup glaze, enough to glaze an 8-inch-square pan of brownies.

Note: I added about 5 teaspoons of milk, and because my oven is a few degrees hotter, the brownies were done in about 35 minutes.