Delicious Gooey Brownies

Do you ever eat something and keep going back for more?  Well these brownies are what you are reaching for.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of them after I had cut them but this is what they looked like after I took them out of the oven.

The first time I made these I took them to school with me.  I gave them to my friends and ever since they have been hooked on them.  I make them about once a month and able to give away a couple of brownies per friend.

They taste better the day after you make them and they can last up to 5 days in an airtight container.

The past few times I have made these brownies I have used relatively cheap canola oil.  DON'T use cheap oil.  The oil made the brownies taste pretty bad.  I had to cover up the taste of the oil by adding more sugar, vanilla, and coco powder.  I have learned my lesson now.  My advice; go for organic unflavored oil such as canola or vegetable oil.

Mix the oil and sugar together

Add all the eggs and vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, combine the rest of the dry ingredients.  I sifted the ingredients but it didn't seem to make a difference.

Combine all ingredients.  This is what the batter should look like.  

NOTE:  Sometimes I have to add milk or a little more oil in so the batter isn't too thick.  

Brownies

1 3/4 cups sugar                                                
1 cup flour                                                  
1/2 teaspoon salt                                            
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2/3 cup coco powder
1 cup unflavored oil
4 eggs
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 2 x 9 x 13 inch pan.

Mix oil and sugar together.  Add eggs and vanilla extract.  Stir to combine.

In a separate bowl, mix the rest of the dry ingredients.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix to combine.

Pour into greased pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.  NOTE:  If you don't like your brownies gooey add another 5-10 minutes or put a toothpick in and see if it comes out clean.

Let cool for 30 minutes before cutting into it.  Add desired garnishing or leave plain.

Makes about 24 3x3 inch brownies.

Sweeter Muffins

Do you have those days where you just want to bake something for the sake of it?  Well today was one of those days.

There is this muffin recipe that was passed down to my mother and my mother passed it down to me.  It is a very simple recipe with minimal supplies and ingredients.

Over the course of 5 years I have modified this recipe to my liking.  Personally I like to use a mixture of whole wheat and all purpose white flour and occasionally when I feel like being a little healthier I will add enriched flour.

This recipe is not very picky.  You can add different ingredients and you can reduce the amount of certain ingredients.

The one thing I have noticed about this recipe is, you need more milk than the recipe calls for.  It really depends on how you like your muffins.  

 Sweeter Muffins

2 eggs
1 to 1 1/3 cup milk*
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
3/4 to 1 cup sugar (depends on your taste)
4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 cup whole wheat flour*
2 3/4 cup all purpose white flour
3/4 tsp. salt
dash of vanilla (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Line two 12-cup muffin pans.

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.  In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, oil, vanilla (if adding), and one cup of milk.  Stir then pour into dry ingredients.  Stir until completely mixed.  If the batter is too thick add a Tbsp. of milk at a time until it gets to the right consistency.

Fill the muffin cups 3/4 full.  Bake for 20 - 25 minutes.  They should be golden brown or a toothpick should come out of a muffin clean.

Yields - 20 to 24 muffins

*NOTE - Any milk can be used for this recipe.  I have baked these muffins with almond milk and they turn out the same.

- If you don't have whole wheat flour or don't want to add it, use 3 cups of all purpose white flour instead of 2 3/4 cup.

Anthology of Poems

Anthology of Poems
By:  Meilang Lo

Oops

The fire is lit.

The marshmallows are roasting.

Oops, they are ablaze.


The Girl

There once was a girl from overseas

she ended up getting a disease.

She wanted stay

but was sent away,

I asked to see her, please.


Childhood Friend
There once was a girl.

She was my very best friend

ever since first grade.

Then I left and she moved on

to a girl who was like me.


The Night

The day has drawn to an end

and the Night has arrived.

The stars and moon shine brightly

in the distant sky.

The wind is ferocious

causing the trees to twist and turn.

My hair flies around my head

slapping my fase as a hand would.

I cringe as I push back

the memories which have haunted me.

I look down

at the water below me.

It tosses and churns

as it hits the edge of the cliff.

The sounds travels to my ears

as I close my eyes.

I say to the wind, the moon and stars, and the water—

the Night has come…

“Goodbye”

Winter,Summer

Winter

White,chilly

Snowing, darkening, sledding

Carols, eggnog, stories, cocktails

Blazing, brightening, bicycling

Colorful, hot

Summer


Storm
The wind howls

and the thunder growls.

The lightening strikes

and the rain falls in fright.

The storm has a mind of its own.

It continues on with its moan. 


King of the Sky

Eagles

Fast, cunning

Soaring, hunting, devouring

Masters of the sky

Accipitrid


Autumn
Leaves are turning yellow.
They fall softly from the trees.
Autumn has begun.