DELUXE FUDGY BROWNIES

Super rich and fudgy.

4 squares of unsweetened chocolate
1 stick of butter
4 eggs
2 cups of sugar
1 cup of flour
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 cup of chopped nuts

Melt chocolate and butter in microwave. Beat eggs and add sugar. Beat together. Add chocolate mixture and blend. Stir in flour. Add vanilla and nuts.

Spread in a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes. Check middle with cake tester or tooth-pick. If needed add more time but keep watch on the brownies. Allow to cool before eating.

LIME BARS

I just made these to take to a party at Marilyn's. I use the same recipe for my lemon bars - I just add fresh lemon juice rather than lime.

Crust:

2 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar

16 tablespoons of butter, melted

To prepare crust combine flour and sugar. Add butter and mix well. Press into 12x15 baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Filling:

4 eggs
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 cups of sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder

To prepare filling, beat eggs with fork. add lime juice and mix well.

Combine dry ingredients and add to egg mixture. Beat. Pour over crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cut into squares  and serve. These cookies freeze well.

CAPRESE SALAD - MY WAY

1/2 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes
your favorite salt
fresh basil
fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar

I first chop the tomatoes into halves and place them in a bowl. I grind salt over them, and stir. Allow to sit for about 20 minutes. Then chop or shred fresh basil into tomato mixture. (Save some basil to sprinkle on the top of the salad before serving.) Allow to sit and blend flavors for an additional 10 minutes.
Slice the fresh mozzarella. Drizzle your serving plate with fresh olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Place 2 slices of the mozzarella on the plate. Spoon 1/4 of the tomato mixture onto each slice. Top both with additional slice of mozzarella. Spoon the rest of the tomato mixture onto these slices. Top with additional fresh basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.