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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

2 kinds of Brownies...with "secret" ingredients

Brownies have always topped my sweets list.  I don't know where it all started.  It could be that when my brother and sisters and I were young, we could make the brownies ourselves.  Maybe it's the gooey, chocolaty goodness controlling my hypothalamus.  Maybe it's just that they're so stinkin' tasty.  I've always preferred fudgy brownies to cakey brownies...un-iced to iced.  But I won't refuse a homemade brownie just because it is puffy and cakey...or because it has icing on it.  I believe that would just invite some negative karma.  I like to take them out when they're still a bit underdone. I like to eat them hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top...melting into rich oblivion.  And I'm always up for trying a new version.  Here's the latest two versions.  Which one do you think you'd choose? 
secret ingredient=chile powder

Chocolate Chile Brownies
from Deb in the Rick Bayless test kitchen

1 stick unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces plus extra for the pan.
5 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 c. unbleached all-purpose flour
2 Tbs. pasilla negro chile powder*
3 Tbs. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the rack in the middle position. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line the pan with 2 pieces of parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all four sides to create a sling. Butter the parchment. Set aside.

In medium heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, melt the butter, and both the chopped semisweet and unsweetened chocolates, stirring occasionally until smooth. Let cool slightly.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, chile powder, cocoa and salt.

In another medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, both sugars and vanilla in a medium bowl until combined. Whisk in the warm chocolate mixture. Then switch to a rubber spatula to stir in the flour mixture and chocolate chips. Mix until just combined. Pour mixture into prepared pan and spread into corners. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a small amount of sticky crumbs clinging to it, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper overhangs and transfer to a cutting board to slice.

*Stem and seed 3 pasilla chiles. Lay them on an ungreased baking sheet in a preheated 375 degrees F oven for 4 minutes or until toasted and dry. Let cool and then grind in spice grinder. You should have about 2 1/2 Tbs. of pure chile powder. 


secret ingredient=shredded zucchini

Chocolate Zucchini Brownies 
adapted from Simply in Season

1 c. unbleached AP flour
3/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp.sea salt
2 1/2 c. shredded zucchini (rung dry)
1 egg
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. plain yogurt
1/2 c. coconut oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a 9x13 pan.  Combine first 4 ingredients in large bowl.  Toss in zucchini to coat.  Combine remaining ingredients, except for chocolate chips, in separate bowl then combine all.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Pour batter into prepared pan and bake ~40 mins.

So...our favorite of the "secret" ingredient brownies.  I bet you can guess.  Yup.... CHILES!!!! Although, I'd think maybe I'd even up the amount by at least a 1/2 tsp. next time...it's so subtle that it just leaves you wondering what was different about these particular brownies.


This post is linked to:
24TbadgeGIRLICHEFPhotobucketBYOB

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Would you like to comment?

  1. Çok sĂ¼per gĂ¼zel bir lezzet olmuÅŸ. Ellerinize saÄŸlık.

    Saygılarımla.

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  2. Que brownies tan interesantes con esos ingredientes que no son habituales. Saludos

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  3. very innovative of u heather...amazing clicks.droooooling..

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  4. My new motto: Never refuse a brownie!
    I've been seeing the zucchini brownies around and have been real curious about them. I'd like to try both versions, but I think I'd like the chile version better. Of course, you already know my motto;-)

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  5. P.S. The link for T4T isn't working.

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  6. Well. I want both of these. And by both I mean every bar from both of the recipes. I'm with you on the fudgy factor. But I've never turned down a brownie either.

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  7. Yum, I am all about fudgy and un-iced too. Love those chile ones especially. ♥

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  8. I'd have to pick the zucchini one because I know for a fact I would NEVER be able to find that chile powder in Toronto, lol!

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  9. You're right -- it is just one of the natural laws of the universe that brownies should always, always be warmly welcomed! I had a chocolate cake from a local co-op that had a hint of both cinnamon and cayenne in it ... oh, it was SO good! The spice and the chocolate together are just heavenly ... :)

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  10. I have heard of chilli, beetroot, pumpkin brownies, zucchinni is new to me. I'll go for zuchinni's

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  11. I wish that I had a scratch and lick screen. Those brownies look so great. I love using zucchini in baked goods. Great recipe!

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  12. I LOVE the addition of chili powder to brownie batter. What a great way to kick flavor up a notch. And why not add zucchini to brownies? They look so moist and chewy. Fantastic.!

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  13. Not a huge "sweets" person but you bet I wouldn't turn down a brownie. Like em un-frosted and with nuts. What interesting additions to brownies. Definitely going to give this a try. Especially the zucchini. I don't think I can find those chili's easily. I'll start looking.

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  14. Que rico, Heather! I love chocolate and chile together, in almost every combination. I usually use chipotle, just because its so readily available, but I love the idea of the pasilla chiles.

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  15. They both sound delicious - but I think I'd go for the zucchini ones at the moment because my garden is absolutely full of it!

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  16. They both sound delicious - but I think I'd go for the zucchini ones at the moment because my garden is absolutely full of it!

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  17. Well I think I would like to try the zucchini brownies since this veggie is so abundant right now; although either would be delish.

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  18. Those are so ridiculously good looking! I have done zucchini chocolate chip cookies, but never brownies. And Rick Bayless's Frontera is one of my favorite places in Chicago, so I'm partial to any recipe from his kitchen!

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  19. Yumm and rich !!! Just grabbed one :)

    Lavanya

    www.lavsblog.com

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  20. I want zucchini brownies! They look...wow...marvelous!

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  21. Um...I thought I couldn't be happier with the chili brownie and then you go ahead and tempt me even more with the second! Yum!

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  22. they both look fantastic! I think I would try the zucchini brownie, you know I have a thing for blossoms...lol

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  23. OMG! I love to look at pics of food and other people's recipes, but rarely do a literally drool simply by looking at a photo. Those brownies are just divine to gaze upon, I can only imagine how delicious they are to taste.

    Thanks for hosting!

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  24. Difficult decision, these are both very interesting versions. If I had to choose I think I would go for the chile brownie.

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  25. Oh my gosh..... I am drooling all over my keyboard.

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  26. wow, that looks amazing and I am amazed over zucchini one. I never knew we could add zucchini to brownies... beautiful. Bookmarked :)

    As you also adapted it from somewhere, so something like bookmarked, please feel free to link it to my "bookmarked recipes" event :)

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  27. I will never forget my first bite of chili powder/cinnamon brownies; it was a Wow moment!

    I like how you can sneak veggies into the kids sweets :)

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  28. Brownies are my sweets of choice! I love them fudgy and underdone too. I found out I don't like spicy with my chocolate - not that I hate it - it just tastes weird to me. Although I wouldn't turn these down...loving the zucchini ones.

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  29. Do I have to choose? I love a littl heat with chocolate and my vegetable garden is just now spitting out zucchini. What incredible brownies and the photos of the brownies . . . WoW! You kicked butt with these recipes =).

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  30. I love your Dave Matthews quote, love Dave.

    What a cool idea to try veggies in brownies....great stuff!
    spicy chili sounds good. I have seen some chocolate bars with chili powder, daring stuff that :-)

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  31. Very brave and very innovative. Looks delicious!

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  32. Hi Girlie. Great idea for the zukes. Right now my garden is just giving me so many zukes. Looks so scrumptious. Thanks.

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  33. Seriously, how have I lived to this age without trying chile brownies. I can't be at your house by dinnertime. I'll use the secret knock ;)

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  34. I love secret ingredient brownies. I was just thinking about making brownies myself. They look delish!

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  35. Decisions, decisions....Do I have to choose one?? It would be tough but I would have to try the chile brownies first just to see if they spice it up a little. But I do love zucchini bread, etc. so they would be a close second. Great post!

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  36. I love gooey brownies too. Mmm mmm! I chose the first one, though both look great, I want to try it w. the chile!

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  37. These photos are absolutely stunning. Coupled with the fact that I love brownies and then the fact that there's an extra kick to them (chile or zucchini), I'm officially a huge fan. Thanks for linking to our site and leading me to yours via Two for Tuesdays!

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  38. this post would make my husband cry tears of joy. i'm pretty sure his very existence is sustained by brownies. this would be a great way to mix it up, i just don't know what to try first!

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  39. Such a tough choice.... I love the spicy ones but I think the veggie lover in me would choose the zucchini ones, maybe it is the coconut oil that won me over

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  40. The chili ones - no contest, but I certainly wouldn't turn down any brownie made with love!

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  41. I CANT deny giggling and wondering what the secret ingredient was! ;) For me, chocolate and chiles is a taste I CRAVE! I adore getting dark chocolate bars with chiles in them, or hot chocolate that way-so for me, thats the choice! Very kewl! Thanks for linking this to the two for tuesday blog hop and ofcourse for hosting! :) Alex@amoderatelife

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  42. I've always been a fan of un-iced fudgey brownies- they're the best.

    i like the thickness of the chile brownies, but I love chocolate and zucchini together. I just made a choc and zuke cake the other day- so good!

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  43. I am a fudgy brownie girl too! ;-) I would probably like the ones with the chiles better, but would feel more virtuous if I ate the zucchini ones. I Following your rule, I would not turn down either!

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  44. Que bueno! Those brownies look incredible. I too was one of those kids baking brownies with my sister. We liked them a little gooey & hot out of the pan. The Rick Bayless recipe is a no brainier for me since I enjoy much of his cooking but the zucchini seems to be so moist. I'd say you hit a home run with these. Delicious post.

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  45. Would love to try the one with chili!

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  46. Oh man, have I got a recipe for you!! I will have to post my family's brownie recipe and tell you about it... it's AMAZING. It takes everything in me not to eat the whole pan the second it comes out of the oven!

    Those look delicious!

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  47. OMG those look good. I'm with you - I'm all about ooey-gooey, underdone, fudgy, uniced brownies. That said, I would never refuse any brownie. Sorry - can't choose - I want them both!
    Sue

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  48. What a great way to use up zucchini!!

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  49. I've had chile in a brownie before, I'd be interested in trying the one with zucchini. But I'd really eat both of them up wither way.

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  50. Do I have to choose? Half of one of each? The chilli is intriguing, I must admit, but they both look outrageously moist and chocolatey. Now I'm craving brownies.

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  51. I have heard of zucchini bread but never brownies with it. Really curious to try it.

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