Good Eats

I'm a huge fan of Alton Brown and his show Good Eats on Food Network. You may have also seen him on Iron Chef America, Feasting on Asphalt and Feasting on Waves.

And the reason I am telling you that, is because I want to share the recipes I have tried. So far I
have only used a few (3 or 4) of Alton's recipes, but not a one has failed me yet. And if like me, you run to your computer when you want a new recipe, and have made a few flops because they all can't be trusted, then this is good news. I would say that even most of the recipes I have tried from Food Network work out well.
I have used recipes from Alton Brown, Paula Deen and Ina Garten so far with success. I'm sure I have tried a few others, but those are the ones I can remember. (And by the way, when is someone going to paint my KitchenAid mixer to look like that? see pic)
Ok ok I'm getting to the recipes :)

Alton Brown's Cocoa Brownies

4 large eggs

1 cup sugar, sifted

1 cup brown sugar, sifted

8 ounces melted butter

1 1/4 cups cocoa, sifted

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup flour, sifted

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8-inch square pan.

• In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the eggs at medium speed until fluffy and light yellow. Add both sugars. Add remaining ingredients, and mix to combine.

• Pour the batter into a greased and floured 8-inch square pan and bake for 45 minutes. Check for doneness with the tried-and-true toothpick method: a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan should come out clean. When it's done, remove to a rack to cool. Resist the temptation to cut into it until it's mostly cool. 

The Chewy - Chocolate Chip Cookie courtesy of Alton Brown

2 sticks unsalted butter

2 1/4 cups bread flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups brown sugar

1 egg

1 egg yolk

2 tablespoons milk

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

• Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

• Melt the butter in a heavy-bottom medium saucepan over low heat. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.

• Pour the melted butter in the mixer's work bowl. Add the sugar and brown sugar. Cream the butter and sugars on medium speed. Add the egg, yolk, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

• Chill the dough, then scoop onto parchment-lined baking sheets, 6 cookies per sheet. Bake for 14 minutes or until golden brown, checking the cookies after 5 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet for even browning. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

So I guess today's thought was all about food, or maybe it was just because people were wanting brownies and I didn't have a mix! Either way, that's it for now, but I'm thinking of a few other food network recipes that I have tried and would like to share on another day, so keep a fork handy :)