1 β 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
ΒΎ cups chocolate chips or coarsely chopped chocolate (more, if desired)
Β½ cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts (more, if desired)
Preheat the oven to 350Β°F (180Β°C).
Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with foil, leaving enough overhang to
π
3/
help you lift the blondies from the pan when they're done.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, & salt together in medium bowl; set aside.
Whisk the melted butter & brown sugar together in medium bowl until combined. Whisk in the zest, if adding.
Add the eggs & vanilla
π
4/
and mix well.
Using rubber spatula or wooden spoon, blend dry ingredients into egg mixture until just combined; do not overmix. Fold in chocolate and nuts.
Spread batter into prepared pan & smooth all the way to the edges & into the corners evenly.
Bake until top
π
5/
is shiny, cracked, and light golden brown - this should take 25-30 minutes but I have had to add up to 10 more minutes of baking time depending on the oven. Just keep an eye on them.
The blondies should be set in the center but still moist as they will continue to set
π
6/
as cooling. Cool on wire rack to room temperature. Remove bars from pan using foil and cut into 16 squares and serve.
A sophisticated change from regular brownies, light & airy, dense yet tender, but intensely chocolate with a subtle hint of almonds and the warmth of Amaretto.
π
1/
INGREDIENTS
3.5 ounces (100 grams) or more crunchy Amaretti cookies, ground to make 2/3 cup measure
5 ounces (140 grams) good-quality semisweet chocolate (see notes) 2/3 cup (10-Β½ tablespoons/150 grams) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
MORE
π
2/
1 cup (200 grams) sugar
4 large eggs, separated and left to come to room temperature 1/3 cup (45 grams) flour (lightly spooned into measuring cup and leveled)
1-Β½ tablespoons Amaretto or Β½ teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
2 β 3 tablespoons slivered almonds for the top
Voting is a Constitutional right & privilege. Voting is a civic duty & responsibility.
βThe people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government and to reform, alter, or totally change the same when their protection, safety, ....
... prosperity, and happiness require it.β - Alexander Hamilton
βA share in the sovereignty of the state, which is exercised by the citizens at large, in voting at elections is one of the most important rights of the subject, and in a republic ought to stand foremost in the...
... estimation of the law...That portion of the sovereignty, to which each individual is entitled, can never be too highly prized. It is that for which we have fought and bled.β - Alexander Hamilton
I mentioned that oranges reduce stress & increase one's sense of well-being so here is a recipe. A really really good recipe. #OrangeAppeal
Orange, Pear, and Date Salad with Orange-Rosemary Vinagrette
π
1/
INGREDIENTS for dressing & salad
3 oranges (weighing about 9 ounces/255 grams each)
2 tablespoons white wine or Champagne vinegar
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary 3/4 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme 1/3 cup olive oil
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
MORE
π
2/
2 small heads Little Gem (Sucrine) lettuce, or 10 ounces (280 grams) baby romaine or butter lettuce or mixed greens, coarsely chopped or ripped
1 large ripe pear, peeled, cored, sliced into thin wedges
4 Medjool dates, pitted, each cut into 4/5 pieces
MORE
I registered to vote & made sure my absentee ballot would be sent to me.
I made sure both my sons did the same.
I filled out & mailed my ballot. Made sure both sons did the same.
I checked religiously to make sure my ballot was received & counted. It wasnβt....
...So i tweeted my Supervisor of Elections in the county where i vote & she gave me an email address and a phone # who to contact for a backup ballot.
Emailed and they released a new ballot. 3 days later it still hadnβt arrived so checked & found out it had been emailed to...
...an old email address. So I emailed again and asked them to release another ballot to my current email address. I received it, filled it out, and FAXED it in (they wonβt process a ballot sent by email).
In France there are no tv campaign ads. There are no lawn signs. There are no bumper stickers or truck flags. Presidential campaigns last 100 days. Thereβs a voting station for every maximum 1000 voters. Votes are papers slipped into an envelope & placed in an urn & hand counted.
Elections are held on Sundays. Every vote carries equal weight.
Most of what trump says - the lies, libel, slander - is illegal.