Oh, boy–Valentines Day has snuck up on me once again.
I’m all for spending a special day with my Valentine but I don’t really need the traditional flowers, candy, or even a fancy schmancy dinner. I really just look forward to hanging out and spending time together–D and I plan to go on a long hike in the morning, and if the weather is as forgiving as it has been for the past few days, we’ll end our hike with a picnic at the beach. My plan is to make pressed Mediterranean veggie and goat cheese sandwiches, a couple of tasty salads, whip up some spicy ginger lemonade, and include a treat, of course. Preferably something simple and chocolate for D. I’m thinking a couple of Alice Medrich’s classic brownies would be a perfect end to a hopefully sunny picnic lunch.
One of my favorite Alice Medrich brownie recipes, these certainly pack a bite of chocolate but do so without intense sweetness, thanks to the bittersweet chocolate. I folded in 2/3 cup of roughly chopped toasted walnuts and pistachios before baking. The recipe suggests you use an 8×8 inch pan, but I baked my batch in a 9×9 inch pan for a slightly thinner brownie. I love the combination of the soft dense center, the crunch of the nuts, and the delicate flaky top. The secret to here is to transfer the brownies to an ice bath immediately upon removing them from the oven. You can prepare this bath in a large roasting pan filled about an inch or so high with water. The change in temperature helps to achieve that delicious texture. Let them cool completely in the bath before removing to slice.
A copy of the recipe is on this lovely blog.
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day weekend everyone!
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
yummmmmmmmmmmmmm!! i sooo love browniesss!! definitely gonna try ye version!! looks fudgy and delicious!!! yummmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!
I am so with you on that! Nothing better than some quality time spent out in the open together with lovely sandwiches and these beautiful brownies. I hate all this Valentines day frenzy. It feels as if it was made to make people spend more on tacky things!
I made brownies for Valentine too … but not for anyone else, just for myself …. never a better time to indulge right
These looks just perfect !
oh my goodness…i would love your incredible brownies for dinner.
Those Brownies look fantastic! Sooo fudgy and tempting!
Cheers,
Rosa
Every time I see these brownies it reminds me I desperately need to make brownies for Ben’s birthday. In a week. Gah!
Betty,
Thank you! And thanks for the visit!
Laura and Soma,
You’re gonna love these!
I’m making these Thursday! Thank-you Lisa.
oh man they look awesome!
i love that brownies are deadly simple to make
love the set up u did with the photos though :O)
Lisa, your brownies sure look good! Walnut and pistachio, must really taste yummie! Love the picture!
Excellent brownies, dandysugar!!
Waw!!! MMMMMM,…lovely!!
They look stunning Lisa and how appetising is that stack photo! I should really try Alice Medrich’s recipes as I’ve heard they are great !
BTW love that avatar photo of you, you’re so photogenic!
Sounds like a perfect day with perfect menu.
Lisa these brownies are keepers. I will have to make these for my girls. Loving the pistachios. gorgeous pictures.
Hope you all had a great weekend!
OysterCulture,
The nut combination made these even better–love brownies with a crunch.
Blond Duck,
A living room picnic is always fun–in fact, we do it quite often!
I second the vote for the sandwiches and a picnic. In fact, I think I’d like to have a picnic. I’ll have to have it in the living room, since it’s still cold here!
GORGEOUS!!!!! Lovely brownies!
Oh my, why is there something about brownies that makes me weak in the knees? I love a good brownie and I feel like I am staring one in the face. You add pistachios and you put it over the edge!
I’m with you on the traditional Valentine’s gifts….I’d much prefer time spent together and perhaps a new pot or pan!
Your brownies look ridiculously ooey gooey good.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
~ingrid
Happy Valentine’s day to you Lisa. Those brownies look addictive!
Your Valentine plan sounds lovely, I hope you have a great time. These brownies look fabulous – moist and decadent
What a wonderful get-together Valentine’s Day meal! Brownies are one of my favorite sweets. Wishing you and D great weather for your hike and picnic at the beach.
I was so drawn to the brownies the photo is great! I agree totally with you on planning the day and the menu you’ve got for it. Great!
Gorgeous brownies! I love the addition of pistachios! Have a great Valentine’s Day!