Brownies for odd times

Like many of you, I've been trying to stay afloat.

Beyond the state of the world, it feels self involved to overly focus on what we are going through individually, and what moment the pandemic hit in our particular lives. But we also need to reflect.

Before state mandates to stay home and save lives, which I support fully,  Jack and I were doing a lot of outings. As a stay-at, work-from home parent, these outings were things I'd rely on for structure and inspiration, plus alone time. I never was thinking more than a few seconds about getting dirty at the park or potentially contaminated surfaces. Just bathe and wash it off.

One thing we would tack onto the park outings is a local bakery for book reading, mama's coffee and splitting of a cookie or brownie. Because, small business is important, and mama doesn't have to make everything everyday :)

But at the moment, I am doing a lot of that, and trying to find ways to extend and next over recipes, shorten time spent, simplify, get bang out of buck, and stock while not overstocking. Oh and there is also the opportunity to try new things.

Long story short, I finally tried a new brownie recipe for the repertoire, and for me, it is the goldilocks of brownies. You know what I mean. And, my son helped stir the batter.

Brownies
Tweaked from Cook's Country

makes 8x8 or 9x9 pan

1/3 c boiling water
1 oz 85% chocolate, chopped
1/2 oz Dutch Cocoa
8 oz/ 1 c sugar
1/3 c vegetable oil
1 egg
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
heaped 1/4 tsp salt
110 grams flour
2.5 oz bittersweet chocolate chips or chunks
flakey salt 

Whisk boiling water with cocoa and chopped 85% chocolate. Cool a bit.
Whisk in oil, sugar, salt, egg, butter + vanilla. 
Fold in flour + chocolate chunks and give it a few strong stirs so it's glossy.
Bake in 350 oven 30-35 mins or toothpick test.
Cool.