Supernatural Brownies

This brownie recipe yields the best brownies I’ve ever had!  I hope you like them too!  The recipe is adapted from Chocolate by Nick Malgieri 

Ingredients

2 sticks unsalted butter
8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate – I like Guittard
4 large eggs
1/2 t salt
1 c granulated sugar
1 c firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 t vanilla extract
1 c g-f flour blend – I like King Arthur or Pamela’s

Method

Set the rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350.
Line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan with parchment paper (bring parchment up sides of pan so there is a slight overhang) and grease with butter.
Bring a saucepan of water to a boil and turn heat to low.
Combine the butter and chocolate in a heat proof bowl and set over pan of water.
Stir occasionally until melted. (Alternatively, melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl in the microwave, stopping at 20 second intervals to stir and prevent scorching.)
Whisk eggs together in a large bowl, then whisk in the salt, sugars, and vanilla.
Stir in the chocolate and butter mixture, then fold in the flour.
Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for about 45 minutes, until top has formed a shiny crust and batter is moderately firm.
Cool completely in pan on a rack.
If not serving right away, wrap pan in plastic wrap and keep at room temperature or refrigerated until the next day.
To cut brownies, first lift them out of pan using the parchment overhang and transfer them to a cutting board.
Separate parchment from edges.
Using a sharp knife, trim away edges and cut brownies into 2-inch squares.
Dust with confectioner’s sugar!

Brazilian Cheese Breads

I’ve been baking these for years, in many variations!  Here’s the savory version……

Ingredients

3 c tapioca flour
3/4 c half and half
3/4 c butter
1 t salt or garlic salt
1 1/2 c Farmers or Cotija cheese, grated
3 eggs

* other options include grated parmesan, romano, soft farmers cheese, gruyere or cheddar……..

Method

Preheat oven to 400F.
In a medium sized sauce pan, heat half and half and butter until butter is fully melted.
In a small bowl, combine the flour and salt.
Remove from heat, slowly add flour and salt mixture to the hot butter mixture while stirring continuously.
Transfer the mixture to the bowl of stand mixer with paddle attachment (if using a hand mixer, transfer the mixture to a heat safe bowl) and process on low for 1 minute until fully incorporated.
Allow the dough to rest a few minutes so that the mixture cools enough to add the egg mixture.
In a small bowl, combine the cheese, garlic, and eggs.
With mixer on low, slowly add the egg/cheese mixture to the dough.
Continue to process fully until dough is smooth and elastic, about 1 – 2 minutes longer.
Using an ice cream scoop or two spoons scoop dough into mini muffin cups or roll into 1 1/2 inch balls to bake, 2 inches apart, on parchment lined baking sheets.
OR transfer dough to a pastry bag and press out breadsticks.

Bake for 15 – 20 minutes.
Yield – approx. 36

Club Isabella

Little Italy, University Circle/Uptown Area

Club Isabella on Facebook

2175 Cornell Rd
in Little Italy at the corner of Random Rd. and Cornell Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44106

216.229.1111
 Club Isabella does not have a dedicated gluten-free menu however meals are made to order and many menu items can be modified to accommodate the g-f diner.
The dining room at Club Isabella is quite lovely making this a very nice option for an evening of Fine Dining.  The restaurant is conveniently located for dinner before Cleveland Orchestra events or to complement a trip to any of the University Circle museums including the Cleveland Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art, Botanical Gardens, and the Cleveland Historical Society!

Dining Out G-F in NEO

May 2017

Club Isabella
Little Italy/University Circle/Uptown

ClubIsabellaonFacebook

Mariann writes:

While Club Isabella does not have a gluten-free menu my recent dining experience was quite pleasant.

I was offered three dishes from the menu that have no gluten component and for which the kitchen would modify the sides to accommodate my needs.  These included the Grilled Bone-in Ribeye, Braised Short-ribs, and Seared Scallops.  I chose the Braised Short-ribs and subbed out sweet potato puree and a side of roasted brussels sprouts.  

Everyone enjoyed their selections and mine was very good.  Chef/Owner, Fabio Mota, graciously visited out table after our meals were eaten and plates cleared to thank us for coming!   Sadly, my taste buds missed out on dessert, there is no g-f dessert option but since none of the diners chose dessert we all finished with an after dinner drink and coffee!

 
The dining room at Club Isabella is quite lovely and the restaurant was quiet on the evening we dined.  Club Isabella is a very nice option for an evening of Fine Dining which makes it a great location for dinner before Cleveland Orchestra events or to complement a trip to any of the University Circle museums including the Cleveland Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art, Botanical Gardens, and the Cleveland Historical Society!

Thai Spice
Westlake

http://thaispice.weebly.com/

http://thaispice.weebly.com/gluten-free-menu.html

Every few meetings of the NEOCN are scheduled as ‘Dinner With…..’ meetings.
Our most recent ‘Dinner With’ was Tuesday, May 2nd at Thai Spice.

Thai Spice has an extensive g-f menu (link above) and the 12 diners who gathered to share dinner together this month enjoyed a wide variety of selections including Curries, Pho, Summer Rolls, Pad Thai – chicken, shrimp and tofu, Tofu Triangles, and Lemon Grass, Coconut, and Glass noodle soups!

Our next ‘Dinner With…’ meeting is scheduled for November – the location is to be determined.  Past ‘Dinner With…’ events have brought us to The Oak Barrel in Independence, Melt in Rocky River, Melting Pot in Lyndhurst, Paladar in Woodmere, PF Chang’s in Beachwood, and Bomba Tacos in Rocky River.