Friday Fotos: 1/8/2010

It is Friday once again and not a moment too soon. I hope you all have a terrific weekend and stay warm!

Yup, this is so true...

courtesy of... lolpix.com


Dude...

courtesy of... collegehumor.com



Ain't this the truth...

courtesy of... icanhascheezburger.com

Making Texas Brownies

photo courtesy of... retorte.blogspot.com
Yes, I had to use someone's photo, because stupid here forgot to take a picture, again.

I made these a few days ago for my wife's friend at work and I decided that you may all want to have a go at these brownies. I have made these several times over the years and I must say that it is the best brownie recipe I have ever come across. I originally got this recipe from About.com and I will provide a direct link to them at the end of this article. In the meantime, sit back, grab a cold glass of milk, and get ready to enjoy some of the best brownies you will ever taste. Oh, in case you're wondering, yes, I allowed myself a small piece of one.


What you need...


For the brownies...


Flour...2 cups
Sugar...2 cups
Butter...½ cup
Shortening...½ cup
Coffee...1 cup strong (I use an instant espresso for this)
Unsweetened cocoa...¼ cup
Buttermilk...½ cup
Eggs...2
Baking soda...1 tsp.
Vanilla Extract...1 tsp.


For the frosting...


Butter...½ cup
Milk...¼ cup
Cocoa...2 Tbsp
Powdered sugar...1 ½ cups
Vanilla Extract...1 tsp

Putting it together...

1. Preheat oven to 400°
2. Lightly grease an 11 X 17 inch baking pan (I don't have a pan of this size, so I just used a 9 X 13 inch pan and it worked just fine)
3. Grab a large bowl and add the flour and the sugar
4. Mix well
5. In a large saucepan, add butter, shortening, coffee, and cocoa
6. Over medium-high heat, stir constantly until the mixture boils (this takes about ten to fifteen minutes)
7. Once it comes to a boil, pour over the flour/sugar mixture
8. Using a whisk, mix to combine
9. Add buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla
10. Mix until combined and then pour into you baking dish
11. Bake for 20 minutes
The Frosting...
1. Whilst the brownies are baking, grab a saucepan and over medium-high heat, combine the butter, cocoa, and milk
2. Stir constantly until it comes to a boil
3. When it boils, turn-off the heat and add the powdered sugar and vanilla
• I add the sugar ½ cup at a time and mix well after each addition.
Back to the brownies...
12. Using a toothpick or a knife, insert into the center of the brownies, if it comes out clean, your brownies are done
13. If it does not come out clean, bake a few more minutes and recheck
14. Continue with step 13 until they are done
15. Once done, remove from oven and immediately pour frosting over your brownies
16. While your brownies cool, take a glass of milk and place in freezer
17. Once brownies are cool, I take a pizza cutter and spray it with Pam and use that to cut the brownies
18. Grab your milk from the freezer and enjoy

texas brownies from about.com

Boise State Broncos in the Fiesta Bowl

photo courtesy of...collegefootball.about.com
I just wanted to let you know what I will be doing on Monday night...watching my #(6) Boise State Broncos beat the #(4) TCU Horned Frogs in the Fiesta Bowl. Both teams sport an undefeated record, so it should be a most excellent game (Sorry, I just watched Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure the other night). This is also the first time that two undefeated teams will meet in a BCS bowl game, without having the National Championship at stake.

I have already made a dip and will be sending my wonderful wife to the store tomorrow (I have to teach) to grab some veggies. I would much rather have pizza, chips, and anything else that may be greasy and bad for me, but I really don't want to spend the next several weeks trying to undo the damage of one evening. So, we will be good and have broccoli, carrots, celery, and maybe some cherry tomatoes. I really do like vegetables, but only if you add something fattening to them, such as a dip or cheese. I know, this somewhat negates the nutritional benefits of eating them, but let's just say that I am taking baby steps. Some day, I may be able to eat broccoli plain or not put peanut butter on my celery, but not just yet.

Anyway, I want to congratulate the Boise State Broncos on their fantastic season and I wish them all the best at the Fiesta Bowl. You can be sure that I will be cheering them on!