I’m a bit grumpy today :-(. It’s not because it’s Wednesday, or that it rained ALL day, or that it’s STILL winter, or that we’re NOT drinking wine during the week (or other libations, in effort to be healthier) — no, it’s because I have been called, YET AGAIN, my FOURTH TIME to jury duty. Few Canadians are bestowed with this honour (read extreme sarcasm here). In fact, my 87 year old father-in-law has NEVER been called, nor had his 75 year old wife (who sadly passed away many years ago), nor had either of my parents (both deceased), brother, brother -in-law, sister-in-laws, or for that matter, any of my friends. JT was called, twice! FOURTH FOR ME. Why ME? The second time I was called was about 2 months after the first time so I was excused (why can’t I be this lucky in the lotto? Hmmmm? WHY?). The third time I was simply warned that I may be called, thank goodness it never happened. And now it is the real deal, again. February 15. I am to show up at 8:30 at the main courthouse downtown. There is nothing even remotely interesting down there. Oh god, I hope they have WIFI so I can blog about it (you are allowed to do that, aren’t you?) Rest assured I’ll be texting all my friends and emailing; you really don’t want me bored, do you? I guess I can read. I hope there is no weird-o, freak-job case on the docket this time — last time I was spared a week away from serving on the Bernardo jury (I don’t think I could have stomached that). I wonder if they will let me off, after all, I am one of two people in a two person company? Bleh. Sorry about all the caps, I’m really grumpy.
A quick update that I received a questionnaire on September 23, 2014 to see if I am eligible AGAIN, DAMN, DAMN, DAMN! I’m hoping that my current employment status will eliminate my requirement.
We were invited to a brunch this past weekend and were asked to bring nothing! Nothing? I am not one to show up empty handed so I made chewy chocolate brownies. There will be a whole mess of kids there so the sugary, chocolatey squares will certainly be appreciated, even hours after we’ve bid our fair wells!!! 😉 Good thing I made dessert, because another guest brought 4 of them! Yup, we had a lot of delicious food. JT and I didn’t even have dinner (well, unless you call the saganaki we experimented with, I wish I had taken a photo).
I left out nuts as I am unsure if there are any allergies, but go ahead and add them, if you choose. What’s interesting about this recipe is the absence of large quantity of fat, in fact, most of the calories are derived from the variety of sugars used in the concoction; but fear not, they are moist and chewy and not as tooth numbingly sweet as you might think. The original recipe came from the Toronto Star about 20 years ago, and approved by the Heart and Stroke Foundation at that time.
Oh, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway! The entries are pouring in, some more correct than others ;-). I noticed that some of you questioned a particular year, and yes, that was a trick question. I hope you can get all 5 entries to make it a real challenge. I can hardly wait to make the grand prize draw for a very lucky winner!
Chewy Chocolate Brownies
Makes about 20 brownies (or make them in mini muffin pans for a smaller, bite-sized treat)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 4 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 oz (45g) semisweet chocolate chips
- 3 tbsp butter or margarine
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 egg whites
Directions:
- Sift flour, icing sugar, cocoa powder and baking powder.
- Melt butter or margarine with brown sugar and chocolate chips, add vanilla, corn syrup and water.
- Beat in the egg whites (if the liquid is still hot, temper them so you don’t get scrambled eggs!)
- Add dry ingredients and stir well.
- Pour into a prepared 9″ x 9″ pan, or mini muffin tins (I generally just use Pam in the muffin tins or line the pan with parchment paper). Bake for 20-25 minutes until firm (10-12 minutes for the mini muffin tins). You can also bake these in mini muffin cups, like I did in 2008!
- Option to frost with a butter icing, but not necessary as this brownie is very moist and flavourful.
Sorry to hear that you have been yet again called to serve Jury Duty and that you’re not enjoying libations during the week! You know a glass of red wine a day is healthy for the heart. 😉
I’ve been cutting back on some of my gluttonous activities though too…including chocolate, so these brownies look devilishly good to me.
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True, Greg, a glass of wine is good for you, but I think they mean “one” and not a ‘bottle’ which is what it usually end up, in front of the fire, chatting up our day’s worth of activities. Oh well, sigh, we’ll likely start the weekend tonight ;-). Jury duty sucks, but I’ll tell you all about it so you can feel my pain.
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I think I may be visiting you for the first time – hopped across from a friend’s blog! Nice giveaway dear 🙂
Do visit me on my blog when you get a chance!
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Thanks for stopping by, did someone recommend you see my blog, if that person is an existing reader, they will get an extra entry into my giveaway! I’ll check out your blog, my husband and I love Asian foods.
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oh this looks decadent & so addictive! love that frosting on top, makes it so pretty 🙂
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Thanks Naughtycurry, welcome to my blog. The brownies did turn out very tasty indeed.
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Ick! Jury duty. I’ve never been and hope I never have to go. And I can’t believe it’s your fourth time!!!!! Crazy! I hope you don’t have to sit through an awful case. These brownies look delicious. I’ve never eaten a brownie – can you believe that?! But I know Mike and the kids would love them. 🙂
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I keep having to pinch myself to remind me that you don’t like chocolate, Kristy! You must be one of two in this world! Lucky you! One less dessert to worry about! Rest assured I will blog of my jury duty.
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Dangerous indeed… I luvvv chocolate!! And just look at that sea of icing… what a dramatic, stormy shot! Jury duty for the fourth time?! Wow, that does seem like a lot. You must have the magic touch ;). Happily, as a lawyer, I can never be called. I don’t know but I’m pretty sure those brownies would make me less grumpy :).
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My niece is at Western doing her degree in law; I’m afraid I was never that studious, Kelly! I guess that’s why I keep getting called 😦 I’d like to try brownies with prunes, but not for guests, yet! I saw a recipe on a gluten free blog ages ago! Soon.
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I think once the jury process finds you, they just keep coming back unfortunately. My brother and sister have both been called multiple times, but so far I’ve eluded the jury duty search process. (Not that I mind!).
Thanks for sharing what looks like an amazingly decadent brownie!
I meant to tell you that I made several batches of your Christmas chocolate crinkle kisses for different groups of people over the holidays and everyone loved them! I even packed them in little Chinese takeout containers as gifts for for my son’s daycare teachers and they were a big hit! Thanks for making me the teachers’ favourite!
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Thank you for your kind words, Michela! Great to hear that the cookies made such an impression.
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Oh that sucks, not the brownies the civic duty. Some places in the states have a one day or one trial rule. Hopefully you’ll know soon whether you’re picked.
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Wow that’s cool Greg! Canada—not so much! I will keep you all posted though!
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Beautiful looking brownies, Eva! I get called for jury duty about once a year and have served twice, booted the rest. In our county, voting records are only partly responsible for frequency of being called, I think, because most folks have gotten very crafty about getting out of it so they have a hard time getting jurors. The stories I heard last summer when “duty called” would fill a blog! Still, I’m over being called and feel your pain!
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I think you’re right about where they get their participants, in Canada I believe it is the municipal election roster. It sucks how some people are called more than others.You are fortunate to be over it.
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Thanks for this, Eva – I also recently made some homemade brownies and will be posting in the near future. These look amazing —-
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That’s great Bill, I can hardly wait to see your tasty southern brownies. I need a new recipe for my repertoire.
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That picture is the best endorsement this recipe could possibly have! Your brownies look and sound fantastic! As for the jury duty, we get called based on voting records. Your odds of being called for duty go up with every election you participate in. It’s the government’s way of saying, “Thank you.” I could live with the government a little less polite, personally. 🙂
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Hmm. I’ve never seen a brownie recipe like this. We make ours with unsweetened chocolate and whole eggs.
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Hi Sharyn, yes, the whole eggs do add a mess of fat to them, and this recipe was designed to be low in fat (but certainly not sugar!). It is surprisingly moist even without the fat.
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My advice? Show up dressed like Princess Leia. Hey it worked for Liz on 30 Rock. Now as for the brownies — they are oldies but goodies. Glad to have the recipe!
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LOVE it Barb, not sure I have the balls to do it though! But I will be persistent on how I am 50% the staff in a business and I have been advised to mention that I am a blogger (but then again who isn’t!). Maybe just a mask of some sort.
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I’m drinking mid-week because of jury duty. I’ve been called up three times, all within a few months of each ‘duty’ and never got to see the inside of a court room because every case was postponed or cancelled (but not before I wasted my time turning up!) Late last year Carl was called up for Jury duty and of course, forgot to turn up so we got not a Christmas card in the mail but a $1,200 fine instead. Carl then made me write them one of my ‘letters’ and the fine was waived but only if Carl turns up for jury duty on the 7th of February. If he fails to turn up the fine will be $2,200. What a system. Like you said, some people never get called up and others are hounded. Good luck with your ‘duty’. xx
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That’s a steep fine Charlie Louie; but on a positive note, you must be an excellent letter writer! I remember getting a failing grade (economics, don’t ask why) removed from my transcript at university, maybe I should try your approach!
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uh, i love everything with chocolate..yummy….love it 😉
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Thank you for your comment kofegeek. Welcome to my blog.
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Dangerous Indeed! I agree with Charles! Bookmarking this one for the future 🙂
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Thank you Fati!
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Ooh, dangerous – I know I could eat half the pan of these in one sitting, especially if I had my big tea-cup filled to the brim with wonderful English Breakfast tea… yummy 😀
I think I’d frost them too – good call 🙂 You definitely don’t need to usually with brownies but hey, you you can never have too much frosting 😀
Great post Eva – making me so hungry right now actually!
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Thanks for the kind words, Charles; they were moist and chewy and not too sweet and the butter icing was sure a tasty treat on top. I might have had a taste off of JTs plate!
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