h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I can't stand this any more. I can no longer stay a member of the cottb with clear conscience. I must confess, I am trying to avoid the delicious temptation of chocolate as part of a desperate 'oh god it's nearly Christmas' diet. This is all too tempting. I fear I must resign my position in the church - but I do so like animal keeping, and the animals are so good at scrabble. Can I stay, but just watch? (A non-practising member?) I can still inhale the beautiful smell of your wonderful recipes.

So long as you don't try installing me in the 'keep' ...

(After all... I do have a job to do, ya know. )

I'm more of an animal tender than keeper - I give them all back in the end. In my watchful custody, all animals are safe. Feel free to come and go as you please.

*blinks*

*mock scornful look* ... And you have something against animals??

*twitches tail expectantly*

You don't have to worship brownies to be a member, just appreciate them. That, and I don't let members go all that easily.

Thank you *sniff sniff*, I feel quite emotional. (Maybe that's the lack of chocolate... it's been 13 days now.)

Marvin, your sir, I do believe she is not losing faith (ie she still worships the almighty brownie) as much as enduring a respectful fast so that she can gorge at a later time.

That's why she is still a member of the flock. Frizzy, any time you want you know that you have a brownie waiting for you! Does that work for you Anonymouse?

Low-fat chocolate brownie recipe :
Ingredients:

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup prune puree (see below)
3 large egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Cut chocolate into 1-inch pieces and place in heatproof bowl. Melt chocolate in double boiler or microwave oven. Stir occasionally until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat; set aside. In mixer bowl, combine all ingredients except flour and walnuts; beat to blend thoroughly. Mix in flour. Spread batter in prepared pan; sprinkle with walnuts. Bake about 30 minutes until springy to the touch about 2 inches around edges. Cool on rack. Cut into 25 squares.

Prune puree: Combine 1 1/3 cups (8 ounces) pitted prunes and six tablespoons hot water in container of food processor; puree until smooth. Makes one cup. Keep prune puree refrigerated for up to two months in a tightly sealed container.

[Source: The American Dietetic Association/National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics]


My own alteration to this - substitute some of the hot water in the prune puree for Grand marnier or similar rich liquour for a more decadent - but still pretty healthy - brownie.

Mmmmm... *drools* ... Sounds delish (especially that last part ).

And yes, Marv, oh wizened one, that does do fine for me. The question is, does it for our sister here.

It certainly does - I truly feel I belong to this spiritual community that is thriving here, despite my temporary chocolate-free diet hell. The support of my fellow brownie-worshippers is a great help in these troubled times.

*sniff* sorry, getting all emotional again. I'm just so happy to be here *sniff*

*hands Frizzy a hankie and goes about taste-testing this new recipe*

Cheers for the hankie - I think it's time I cooked up another batch of low-fat brownies - purely medicinal...

Well, the anticipation - they have just gone in the oven - only 20 odd minutes to wait now.

You can't beat a spot of devotional exercise on a Sunday morning.

Great recipie. I will post it up on the recipie page just as soon as I get a sec. -Arch Bishop Marv

I think it might balance out the lethal little devil of a recipe you have there now.

Now we're supposed to balance, too?

Oh gosh - you sound as if I've offended you - terribly sorry.

I am a typical Libran and crave balance - is there anything inherently wrong with balance? I just thought a rich and luscious recipe could be neatly segued into a low fat (and not quite so scrumptious) recipe.

Balance is good - chocolate and nuts (sweet and savoury) - chocolate and coffee (sweet and bitter) - chocolate and mint (er.. brown and green - you know like er.. trees.)

Chocolate and weevils - smooth and crunchy

(sorry, Nick O'Teen's pesky influence)

*giggles* ... I assure you, no offense was taken. I just forgot to add my to the end of that post.



Nothing at all wrong with balance, as long as it doesn't interfere with the chocolate!



As for me, I'm a Virgo, but hardly typical. I'm Virgo born in the house of Scorpio.. Can you -find- any more opposite signs in the astrological universe? And they wonder why I'm insane.