From Solo Lisa's Kitchen: Brownies (And My Favourite Way To Eat Tomatoes!)

The boy and I don't have anything special planned for Valentine's Day--no presents, no fancy dinner. Nonetheless, I was resolute about baking him a treat as a small gesture. This was my first time making brownies and they turned out pretty well!

This week's recipe comes from Donna Hay's New Food Fast; parenthetical comments are mine.

Ingredients:

• 150g butter, softened
• 1 cup caster sugar (I substituted regular sugar)
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup plain (all-purpose) flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat the oven to 180 Celsius (350 Fahrenheit). Place the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Add the cocoa, eggs, flour and baking powder and mix until combined. Spoon the mixture into nine 1/2 cup capacity non-stick muffin tins. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cakes are cooked but still soft in the centre. (It took me a lot longer than the specified time--more like 20-22 minutes.) To serve, invert the cakes onto plates. Serve warm with thick cream or ice cream and espresso coffee. Makes 9 cakes.

Although I enjoy baking, I don't enjoy eating what I make because--surprise!--I'm not a sweets person. I picked at one brownie just to try it and confirm it was edible, then proceeded to make my favourite snack: a tomato on the vine sliced into thin wedges, then topped with crumbled feta, black pepper, and a splash of olive oil.

I suppose it's a good thing I crave veggies instead of baked goods.

Happy Valentine's Day/Chinese New Year/Start of the 2010 Winter Olympics! I'll be watching the opening ceremonies with the boy and his brothers tonight. It's shaping up to be a jam-packed weekend.

What are your plans this weekend?