Ever Ready: 4th of July

Thursday, July 4, 2013

4th of July

Happy 4th of July

Recently I spent some time "garden hopping" visiting several neighbors' gardens at the lake. The iris pictured above was a new variety I had never seen before. It spurred me on to see what was available for purchase online. Amazing how many types there are to purchase.
http://irisfarmer.com/flowernursery.html

The Buttercups were in full bloom.

With a stretch of warm weather the Ladyslippers made an appearance at another neighbor's yard.

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Brownies are a classic dessert that sit front and center at any 4th of July meal.

Brownies

Recipe adapted from Nestle Chocolatier Wrapper

Ingredients:

1-package of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Squares (62% Cacao)
3/4 cup of sugar
1/3-cup butter cut into pieces
3 TB brewed coffee
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
¾ cup plus 3 TB. flour
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup chopped nuts
2 TB. Kahlua
1 cup white chocolate morsels

Directions:

Preheat oven top 325
Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil and grease
Heat semi-sweet chocolate, sugar, butter, and coffee in a small pan over low heat-whisk ingredients
Stir till melted and well blended
Pour into a bowl and stir in eggs one at a time and blend well
Stir in vanilla and Kahlua
Add in flour, salt and nuts stir till well blended-then add in white chocolate chips
Pour into pan and bake 30-35 minutes but check at 30-insert pick in center should come out a bit sticky
Cool pan on a wire rack after 45 minutes peel off foil and place brownies back into pan
Frost with chocolate frosting and sprinkles

I had sprinkles and sticks left over from cake pops recipes and this one went together in less than five minutes! Make sure the the ice cream sandwiches are slightly softened so sprinkles adhere better. I wrapped them in wax paper and placed back in freezer till I was ready to serve them.