Saturday, March 17, 2012

Chocolate Mint Brownies Recipe from Mom on Time Out


Since most everyone enjoys delicious recipes; 
and because this one contains the color green
I'm sharing this recipe from Trish at
http://www.momontimeout.com: 

Chocolate Mint Brownies {Recipe}
I've definitely been thinking about ways to incorporate a little green into our diets lately and this is one yummy way to do it!  These Chocolate Mint Brownies are ridiculously delicious starting with a layer of moistrich brownie, followed by a mint filling, and topped with a decadent chocolate ganache.  Take a deep breath.  Yeah.  I said chocolate ganache.  Hold on while I pull myself together (and go grab another brownie!).  

Okay, I'm back! 

This recipe is made in three steps so follow along so we can be enjoying these brownies together :)

Ingredients:
Brownie:
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into pieces
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/4 c Andes creme de menth baking chips
1 1/4 cups granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 tsp mint extract
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup (65 grams) all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Mint Filling:
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
2 c confectioners' sugar
1 Tbls water
1/2 tsp mint extract
4 drops green food coloring

Chocolate Ganche:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup (8 ounces) bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare an 8x8 inch baking dish by lining it with foil and set aside.

Using a double boiler, melt the butter, chocolate, and baking chips together.  Remove from heat. 
Stir in the extracts and sugar.  Add the eggs in one at a time making sure they are well incorporated.  Finally mix in the flour and salt and beat with a wooden spoon until nice and smooth (about 50-60 strokes). 
Pour the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for about 25 minutes. Place on a wire rack to cool completely.

For the filling:
Whip the butter until nice and fluffy. Add the remaining ingredients into the mixing bowl and mix until nice and creamy.  
Spread over the cooled brownies. Place in the refrigerator while preparing the ganache.  We're almost done!
For the chocolate ganache:
Place the chips in a medium bowl. Bring the whipping cream just to a simmer.  You need to watch it carefully because once it starts to bubble it can bubble over quickly.
Pour the whipping cream over the chocolate and whisk until nice and smooth.  
Let the ganache cool in the bowl for 10-20 minutes before pouring over the mint layer.  
If you want to add some Andes mints to the top, wait 10 minutes for the ganache to set up a little bit and then sprinkle on.




Place the finished brownies in the refrigerator for at least another 30 minutes (I know - torture!) before slicing and serving.  You will want to cut these into small pieces - smaller than your average brownie because they are seriously RICH!Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.



Recipe Source:

Blessings & Joy,



Friday, March 16, 2012

My Explanation for John 3:16 Monetized!

My Explanation for
John 3:16 Monetized! 

If someone else had done that, I probably would have felt offended. An aspect of the notion still offends me to a degree. So if that offended you, I certainly understand. On the other hand, knowing me, and my intentions, I don't feel offended, which was why I posted my previous post "John 3:16 Monetized!" in the first place.

So let me explain, ...

I meant no offense. I performed this task as reverently as possible.

I already had the notion to do that post before I realized March 16 was about a week away, so I prepared that post and scheduled it for publishing on March 16. A.k.a. 3/16. The 3/16 release almost felt like confirmation that I should follow through on my monetizing idea.

Monetized means a blog post makes you money if people click on the links or ads therein and order what's offered there.

By clicking on any phrase or part of "John 3:16 Monetized!" -- even each quotation mark! -- you will be taken to Amazon where you will find an item, or list of items, related to the word or phrase you clicked. For example, for each quotation mark, you are offered a different book of Bible quotes.

I did my best to pick relevant Christian books and such related to the words/phrases. You'll find they help enhance the meaning of each aspect of the iconic verse John 3:16.

Buying these items from Amazon via my links won't cost you more than if you bought them directly from Amazon yourself, but I'll still receive a tiny percentage from the sale. A percentage of which will go to help rescue the destitute.

Now that you understand why I "monetized" John 3:16, I hope you can appreciate my previous post more.

As a show of good faith, I haven't monetized anything in this post, except my name. (Which will take you to the Amazon page for the Kindle edition of my book "Holy Laughter! Humor in the Bible".)

Please let me know how you feel about this.

Blessings & Joy,
Dean Burkey

John 3:16 Monetized!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

StreetStrider Eclipse






Product Features

  • 250 lb Weight Capacity
  • Chainless Single Speed Internal Geared Hub (ratio 3.7 to 1)
  • Quick Release Folding Mechanism
  • Folds for Easy Transport and Storage


    Product Description

    The Eclipse, our newest StreetStrider model, comes in one bright color: Apple Red. It features our revolutionary chainless Hartmann Hub, eliminating messy chain maintenance. The single speed transmission equivalent to gear 6 of the Summit 8r and gear 2 of the Sprinter 3r makes the Eclipse great for striding on flat terrain and slight hills. The Eclipse also features a quick-release fold mechanism allowing you to fold it down in just seconds. The rear caliper brake provides strong stopping power and the compact lighter weight chromoly steel frame will support riders up to 250 pounds. The StreetStrider Universal Trainer Stand allows you to transform your Eclipse into an indoor elliptical machine in just seconds. With up to 8 different resistance levels, you can find the perfect setting for an intense indoor elliptical experience any time you want, rain or shine. Indoor Package Includes: Universal Trainer Stand Variable Resistance Controller Front Wheel Riser Blocks Training Mat



    Product Details





    Amazon Instant Video Discovers The Discovery Channel!






    Dear Customers,
    Today we’re announcing our biggest addition yet, bringing nearly 3,000 more titles to Prime Instant Video. We’ve struck a deal with Discovery Networks to bring some of the highest quality, non-fiction, informative and entertaining content about the world to our Amazon Prime customers. Rolling out over the next few weeks are TV shows from Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, and Science. Prime members, at no additional cost, can now stream more than 17,000 titles.
    The new titles include hits such as Deadliest Catch, MythBustersMan vs. WildDirty JobsGold Rush: Alaska, and Shark Week, TLC series like Say Yes To the Dress and Cake Boss, as well as content like How It's Made from Science, and The Jeff Corwin Experience from Animal Planet.
    Millions have already joined Amazon Prime...

    With free two-day shipping on millions of items, access to thousands of Kindle books from the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, and instant streaming of thousands of Prime Instant Videos, Prime is an outstanding value and remains only $79 a year.
    Watch Prime Instant Videos on your Kindle Fire
    , Mac, PC, or Roku and select TVs, set-top boxes, and blu-ray players.
    If you’re already a Prime member, start watching now. If not, start your one-month free trial today.
    Thank you for being a customer.
    Jeff Bezos
    Founder & CEO
    P.S. You can also rent or buy these Discovery titles, plus more than 120,000 new release movies and day-after-broadcast TV shows instantly at our Amazon Instant Video Store , no Prime membership required.

    Blessings & Joy,
    Dean Burkey