Chocolate Chocolate Chip Brownies

3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, cut into pieces

1/3C unsalted butter, room temperature

1C sugar

2 large eggs

½ tsp. vanilla

1/2C plus 2 Tbsp. flour

½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

1/2C chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F.  Brush an 11 x 7-inch glass or ceramic dish lightly with butter.  Melt the chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler.  Once melted remove the top bowl and set aside to cool slightly. 

Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl.  In a food processor pulse together the sugar, eggs and vanilla.  Add the cooled chocolate and pulse in.  Pulse in the dry ingredients just to combine.  Fold in the chocolate chips with a rubber spatula.

Spread the mixture into the prepared pan and bake 25 minutes or until the brownies just begin to pull away from the sides of the pan – do not overbake – they should still be soft when served.  Let cool to room temperature.  Cut into squares and serve.

MAKES:  12 – 16 squares

Macaroni and Cheese

3C whole milk

2 bay leaves

¾ - 1 lb. elbow macaroni

6 Tbsp. unsalted butter

5 Tbsp. flour

3C grated cheese, such as Cheddar or Swiss and a combination

1/2C freshly grated parmesan cheese

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1C panko bread crumbs or more to taste

Preheat oven to 400F.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add one tablespoon salt and return to the boil.  Add the macaroni and cook until al dente.  Drain but do not rinse.  Place in a large bowl.

Heat the milk in a small pan with the bay leaves.  Let stand.  In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 5 tablespoons of the butter; when it is foamy add the flour and cook, whisking, until the mixture thickens.  Remove the bay leaves from the milk and add about ¼ cup of the milk to the hot flour mixture, stirring with a whisk all the while.  As soon as the mixture becomes smooth, add a little more milk and continue to do so until the milk is used up and the mixture is thick and smooth.  Add the cheese and stir in.

Pour the sauce over the macaroni and toss in the parmesan, and season with salt and pepper.  Use the remaining butter to grease a 10-inch rectangular or oval baking dish and turn the pasta mixture into it.  Sprinkle liberally with the bread crumbs and bake until the crumbs turn brown – about 15 minutes.  Serve hot.

MAKES:  8 servings