Crystal Groves

Folks wanted to know what I did that won the Brownie contest at work, so here ya go. Fairly simple and straight-forward.

Cherry Brownies Recipe
I did not make the brownies by hand, I figure next time I probably will but this was quick and easy. I wanted to taste test ideas before I went out to get all the ingredients.

Any box brownie recipe will do, Ghiradelli makes a really good one with its own fudge topping if you don’t want to make ganache. But the ganache is excellent so..

- The only difference is that I replace any water with maraschino cherry juice instead, to give it that cherry flavor (idea thanks to Irene).
- Also embed several maraschino cherries in the batter itself about an inch apart. Will require the brownies to bake a little longer than recommended because of the excess cherry juice from the cherries.

Ganache Recipe
8 oz semisweet chocolate (I use dove’s milk chocolate)
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp of cherry juice from jarred maraschino cherries
2 tbsp cognac or brandy (optional, I haven’t used)

Heat cream, butter, and juice until boiling. Throw in chocolate and turn heat to low, stirring constantly until thoroughly mixed (I even used a mixer for this).

Pour ganache over the brownies while still warm, should make an even coating on its own, but don’t bother trying to cut until it’s sat a little while. It’s just a gooey mess if you do (I know!)

Now some say you should let the brownies cool before pouring the ganache over, but I didn’t and it made the brownies extremely moist. Depends on how moist you want the brownies, I reckon. Personally I loved how they turned out.

Serve warm with a side of vanilla icecream to cut the richness of the brownies. For the brownie contest I also garnished with a spring of two fresh cherries.

Courtesy of Mother Earth News. The green one sounds nummy

Talk about perfect timing. Just as the weather is getting cooler and we’re approaching dry-skin season, Mother Earth News reader Pamela Koontz sent in a few of her favorite homemade skincare recipes. As she pointed out, when compared to commercial products, homemade skincare can save you money, is often easier on the environment, and makes it easy to care for your skin naturally. So, go ahead, “whip one of these up and let nature do all of the work!”

Farmer’s Wife Secret Mask
2 chilled egg whites
1/8 tsp cornstarch

Whip the egg whites until they form peaks; then slowly add the cornstarch. Apply the mixture immediately to your face, leaving it on for 20 minutes. Rinse face with cool water.

Bumblebee Facial Mask
1 tbsp dried milk
1 egg yolk
1 tsp honey

Mix honey with the egg yolk and then stir in the dried milk powder. Mix into a paste and apply. Remove after 20 minutes with cool water.

Glorious Green Face Mask
1/2 cup of oatmeal
1 smashed avocado
1/3 cup of honey

In a bowl, mix smashed avocado with the honey, then continuously add oatmeal. When all ingredients are mixed well, apply to face and relax for 15-20 minutes. Remove with a splash of cool water.

No Monkey Business Mask
1/2 banana
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp sour cream

Smash the banana and add the honey and sour cream. Apply to face and leave on 15-20 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp cotton wash cloth.
Pamela Koontz
Winston-Salem, North Carolina