Two Chocolate recipes from TV

Foodie Friday

I can't remember where I saw this idea on TV but I decided to try this Chocolate cake using only canned pumpkin for the ingredients.  So I used a regular cake mix and substituted the eggs, oil and water for just one small can of pumpkin.  It comes out moist, and tastes very chocolaty and I couldn't taste any pumpkin in it.  It does not rise like a regular cake mix cake does but was more like a brownie. The best part about this is that it ends up having only 194 calories and 3.6 grams of fat per serving. (I baked it in a 9 x 12" pan and cut it into 12 pieces).  My family loved it!  Even the one who generally doesn't eat dessert!  Of course, I made a delicious frosting from Ina Gartner's book so that kind of deletes the savings from the cake, but well, it was delicious.  I made it with my granddaughter so we added M&M's on top.

Speaking of Brownies here is a recipe that was featured yesterday on a local TV channel-a gourmet version.
(This sounds like I just sit home and watch TV!  Honestly I don't.  I did have it on all day when I took down my Christmas decorations and that is when I caught the pumpkin chocolate recipe.  I think it was from Rachel Ray)  It uses a spice that you can order on the internet-Ras El Hanout.  It has a combination of cinnamon, pepper, cumin and a couple of other spices. I have never used it.  Have any of you?  It sounds delicious to me.
Moroccan Spiced Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup + 2 tbsp Butter
• 2 eggs
• 6 tbsp E. Guittard Cocoa Rouge Rare Red Dutch process unsweetened cocoa powder, or
• other unsweetened cocoa powder
  
• 1 ½ tsp Ras El Hanout Moroccan spice blend
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup all-purpose flour

Method:

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and blend well.
Mix in vanilla, cocoa, flour, and Ras El Hanout until smooth.
Divide batter evenly into eight 8 oz. ramekins OR an 8x8" greased cake pan.
Place ramekins on a cookie sheet and bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes; or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
To serve, dust with powdered sugar and serve with sweetened whipped cream.

Thanks to Michael at Designs by Gollum for hosting Foodie Friday. Check for more good recipes by clicking here.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...November 16, 2009

Outside my window... a patchwork blanket of snow in most places mixed with cold wet lawn in other places.

I am thinking...how glad I am that all my patio furniture and statues are safely enjoying the protection and warmth of my garage.

I am thankful for... living in this country of freedoms.

I am wearing... black jeans, cream long sleeved warm top and black and grey collared vest.

I am remembering... my children playing in the snow, making snowmen when they were children.

I am going...to pick up my quilts from the machine quilter, to take my car in for service, and to a Holiday Boutique tomorrow, and take Aunt Gladys to the bank and her errands on Thursday.

I am reading... my holiday magazines for ideas.

I am hoping... to get some blinds up in the guest bedroom before I have guests for Thanksgiving.

On my mind... just for today I am going to try to eat healthy.

Thinking that...making soup is a very satisfying task and very fulfilling in many ways.

Pondering these words... "Miracles can happen in our lives.  Live as though the answer has been granted.  Shed pride and plead for humility and mercy to do what you can't do alone"  Edith Marsh

From the kitchen... pumpkin pies that I made yesterday.

Around the house... the sound of the washer going, oatmeal cooking on the stove and my to do list growing.

One of my favorite things~ watching the relationships between my children and their children and how much love is shown to one another.

From my picture journal...

To read more daybook entries click here. 

Have a wonderful week!