Friday, November 14, 2014

Traditional 'mithai' ... passe ?

Diwali for me is associated with family, festivities and food. It was a time when the sisters would come down to the  family home and we would stay up late, chatting or playing cards. My parents would have their teen patti (card session) and it would be fun to watch them slipping back into a carefree mood with their friends. I was never much of a card player but my elder sister would join in when mom would get up to organise the nashta (snacks) for everyone.

There has always been a tradition of gifting sweets on Diwali and it has continued till date, albeit with changing times, it is no longer just traditional mithai, gifting too has acquired more cosmopolitan hues. Baked goods like cakes and brownies are being lapped up a lot. The other day when I was getting ready a brownie order, I couldn't help thinking how times have changed. Though, for me - the traditional mithai any day.

These brownies are a favorite with my children but when I was trying out the menu for Farm Goodness, I toyed with  some more fancier recipes - but in the end I chose these as not only are they fudgy but also very chocolatey  without being cloyingly sweet. I like to cut them into good sized squares, so though originally for 12 pieces but we keep them at nine.

So here is my decadent brownie recipe which is a quick mix once all the ingredients have been assembled.


Nutty Fudge Brownie

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

2 large eggs

4 tablespoons cocoa

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

pinch of salt

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

2 ounces semi- sweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Grease a baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 degree F.

Cream the butter well, then add the sugar and beat well together till creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Now fold in the flour -cocoa dry mixture into the butter mix until well combined.

Add in the chopped walnuts. then the semi sweet chocolate, mix till well incorporated. Spread the batter evenly and bake for 25- 30 minutes. Cool for an hour and then cut into squares.








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