Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies

This was my first attempt at baking gluten free brownies.  I came across the recipe, and decided to try it out.  

I was somewhat expecting a plain and uneventful brownie.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Even my husband, who is not into gluten free, liked them.  He ate several of them after I told him it was made with chickpeas.  "Chocolate Hummus Bars" he called it.  

As you can see in the picture, they didn't last very long.  

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips

1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed 

4 large eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup canola oil

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Spray a 9 x 9-inch pan with baking spray. Place chocolate chips in a double boiler and melt until smooth.

Combine beans and eggs in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add remaining ingredients to food processor until thoroughly combined. Pour the batter into the baking pan and sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top. 

Bake for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean. Cool in pan. These are best if they've had time to sit overnight (if you can wait). 

Yield: 16 squares

Source: Naturally Tasty author Gilda Mulero, Chef and Cooking Instructor

Easy Cheesy 3 Ingredient Crockpot Potatoes

My family loves potatoes.  They are an amazing food.  There are so many things that can done with them!  Here's one recipe I threw together the other night.  It disappeared rather quickly. 

5-6 large baking potatoes

8 oz bottle Itallian salad dressing

1 lb cheese; shredded

Slice potatoes thin.  Put in 6 Qt or larger crockpot.  Pour Italian dressing over potatoes and stir to mix.  

Add cheese, and mix well about 3 hours into cooking.  

Cook High 6-8 hours or Low 8-10 hours or until potatoes are tender.  

 

Ice Mocha Frappé

I will be the first to admit that I drink way too much coffee.  It's my favorite drink.  Sometimes I'll sneak it into my food, like in the broth with a roast.  Ice Frappés are a yummy treat for me though.  

With minutes you can blend your own yummy frappé.  I like my coffee sweet, so if you don't like them quite as sweet, start with half the sugar and add more if needed.  

I start off with 1/2 cup coarse ground coffee in my French Press.  i add 28oz boiling water, stir, put the lid on (don't press the plunger), and set the timer for 4 minutes.  Every minute just give it a stir.  After 4 minutes, push the plunger down.  Strain and cool the coffee you plan to use for the frappé.  Drink the rest.  ;)

For the frappé:

1 1/2 cups coffee; chilled

1/2 cup milk (or 1/2 & 1/2)

4 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp chocolate syrup

3 cups ice, plus more as desired

Whipped cream 

Directions

In a blender, puree coffee, milk, sugar, and ice. For a thicker consistency, add more ice and blend.  For mocha frappé, add chocolate sauce while blending.

Pour into 2 glasses, and top with whipped cream and chocolate sauce if desired. Serve immediately.