If you're not a fan of salted chocolate, this recipe for salty fudge brownies will make you a convert. The salt doesn't overpower the brownies; instead, it enriches the natural chocolate flavor. I've made this easy dessert countless times and people always say, "There's something different in these. What is it?" It's the flakes of sea salt! It's an uncomplicated technique that involves no special equipment other than a hand whisk. To give them a try, get the recipe, after the jump.
Posts for September 16th 2010
In His Shoes: Colin Cowie, Event Planner
BLT (Beef, Leek, and Tomato) Salad

From Every Day With Rachael Ray
BLT (Beef, Leek, and Tomato) Salad
Information
- Category
- Salads, Meats

Ingredients
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus more for drizzling
4 small 1- to 1 1/2-inch-thick strip steaks, at room temperature
Salt and pepper
8 slices bacon
4 leeks, white and light green parts only, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 hearts romaine lettuce, coarsely chopped
2 beefsteak tomatoes, thickly sliced
Directions
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Drizzle EVOO over the steaks and season with salt and pepper. Grill the steaks, turning twice, 12 to 15 minutes for medium-rare. Let rest for 5 minutes.
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels and let cool. Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings from the skillet, then add the leeks, cover and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.
- Crumble the bacon and transfer half to a food processor. Add the Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, mustard, some pepper and a splash of water. With the machine on, pour in the 1/2 cup EVOO in a steady stream.
- Arrange a bed of the romaine and tomatoes on each of 4 plates. Slice the steak against the grain and layer over the tomatoes. Scatter the leeks over the steak and pour the bacon dressing on the salad. Top with the remaining crumbled bacon.
Serves 4.
Guess Who?

Roasted Asparagus and Mushroom Quinoa
YumSugar member Dessert Plate Design has a newfound love for quinoa, and shares one of her favorite ways to enjoy it in our Kitchen Goddess cooking group.
I have a love for roasting vegetables and honestly it's the most low maintenance way to prepare veggies. This week I stumbled upon a great combination using some fresh produce I picked up at the store and quinoa, my new favorite go-to grain.
To plate, I scooped a little mound of the grain into a deep bowl, arranged the mushrooms and asparagus, then shaved a few long curls of hard Parmesan over the top . . . then ate within 5 minutes.
Get inspiration from her laid-back dinner when you read more.
Did You Watch Top Chef Just Desserts Last Night?

After we introduced you to the contestants yesterday, the premiere of Top Chef's sweetest spinoff, Top Chef Just Desserts, aired last night. Contestants were challenged with creating the most decadent chocolate dessert, to be judged by Mr. Chocolate himself, Jacques Torres. The pastry chefs were also met with head judge Johnny Iuzzini's somewhat intimidating, no-nonsense style — something I found immensely entertaining. Did you tune in, or are you Top Chef-ed out?
Photo courtesy of Bravo
Roasted Asparagus and Mushroom Quinoa
Roasted Asparagus and Mushroom Quinoa
Information
- Category
- Main Dishes
- Cuisine
- North American
Ingredients
1 carton baby bella mushrooms
1 pack (or 15 spears) asparagus
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
olive oil
salt
pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Break the ends off of each asparagus spear and place in 9x9 roasting dish.
Place mushrooms in separate 9x9 roasting dish.
Sprinkle each with salt, pepper, and olive oil to coat.
Cook 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
In the meantime, cook quinoa according to package, set aside to cool slightly.
Remove vegetables and cut each asparagus spear in half.
Scoop quinoa into bowl, top with mushrooms and a handful of asparagus spears.
Using a vegetable peeler, shave a few curls of hard Parmesan.
Top Chef, MasterChef Victors Break New Ground
At virtually the same time last night, both Bravo's Top Chef and Fox's MasterChef crowned winners, and both victors defied the odds to take home the top prize. See who won and our thoughts on both, after the break.
Key Kitchen Equipment That I Couldn't Live Without
Over the last few weeks, I've spent some serious time downsizing the amount of clutter in my house — and I'm here to say that it gets worse before it gets better. Ultimately, I did cut down on the number of products in my kitchen, but it wasn't until I'd combed through every last gadget and gizmo that I was able to recognize the diamonds in the rough. So here's my ode to key pieces I rely on nearly every day — fork, knife, and spoon excluded.
Fast & Easy Dinner: Orecchiette With Broccoli Rabe
Sometimes when I want to get crazy with my pasta dishes, I swap out the usual spaghetti or penne for orecchiette — it's one of my favorite pasta shapes.
Throw in some nutty broccoli rabe and chickpeas (garbanzo beans), toss in a light, garlicky sauce, and you have a healthy vegetarian dinner that's a cinch to make.
For the recipe, keep reading.