13 January 2012

S'mores Pistachio Brownies

Its Chinese/Lunar New Years soon. Office in Chinatown = Craziness. I'm not a big fan of crowds, queuing, waiting, or standing up actually. But for one reason, I part the red sea. There it was, with its dark and thick scent of nutty sweetness roasted in black coal pebbles. It's chestnuts. Tis the season of chestnuts! And right beside them are these beautiful green gems. Pistachios. Tis the season of pistachios!
Indeed. Chinese New years bring out the best of snacks. We spend the past month (after christmas and new years) losing the extra pounds to fit in a chinese traditional dress only to gain two-fold of the weight back. Just to be safe, get a bigger Cheong Sam.

The roasted chestnuts didn't make it and i had to keep the pistachios away from the crazy wolves. Hence, whilst dreaming the day I can have a traditional campfire desert, I decided to bake up some s'mores (brownies style), with pistachios of course.


Brownie : adapted from Martha Stewarts "Chocolate Brownie". 
  • 150 g coarsely chopped pistachios
  • 114 g unsalted butter, plus more for pan
  • 114 g bittersweet chocolate for baking
  • 3 medium eggs (150 g)
  • 125 g sugar
  • 25 g cocoa
  • 6 g instant espresso
  • 10 ml pure vanilla extract
  • 200 g sifted all-purpose flour
  • 2 g salt
  • 80 g semisweet chocolate chips
  1. Heat oven to 190 celsius. 
  2. Line a 40-by-15 cm baking pan with aluminum foil.
  3. Combine chocolate and butter in a heat-proof bowl or the top of a double boiler. Set over a pan of simmering water until the chocolate mixture has melted. Remove from heat; set aside.
  4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat eggs, sugar, espresso and cocoa at high speed, 10 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and add melted-chocolate mixture and the vanilla; beat until combined. Slowly add flour and salt; beat just until incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips and toasted walnuts. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  5. Bake until edges are dry but center is still soft, about 30 minutes. Remove pan from oven.
Topping:
Large marshmallows cut in half.

1. Push the marshmallow sticky side down on the brownie layer. 
2. Line as desired and place the tray back in the oven. Make sure to watch the marshmallows as they burn within 1 minute. Check every 10-15 seconds.
3. Cool on rack before cutting into desired slices
Biscuit Base:
2 x no. of slices of brownies of Graham Crackers / Digestive Biscuits
1. Sandwich each slice of brownie in between 2 biscuits. Serve warm.


Many use Graham Crackers for these. However, I've always adored that nutty buttery (a little bit malty) texture of a McVites Digestive biscuit. Pairing that up with a heavy chocolatey brownie? Check mate. This brownie has a thick crispy crust that is formed due to meringue (the 10-crazy-minutes of mixing). That crunch topped with a gooey sticky Marshmallow with its ever-so-little burnt scent. Each bite brings you through layers of diversifying texture and taste. I know it doesn't sound convincing but I'm really on a diet.

Lastly, let's talk about the Liebster award!

Liebster Blog Award
When I visited "To Food With Love", I would never have thought that her blog was a new'ish blog. I mean, look at her fabulous pictures and recipes! Its just impossible that she hasn't published a book or something. Hence, when she nominated me for this award, I was pleasantly surprised. It is an award for newer blogs, or those with less than 200 followers. Just to support and encourage these blogs. Thank you! What a sweet gesture :)
After Accepting:
- Thank the Liebster Blog Award Presenter on your blog.
- Link back to the blogger who nominated you.
- Copy and paste the award on your blog.
- Reveal 5 blogs of your choice
- Let them know by leaving a comment on their blog


Here are blogs that I'm nominating:
(not in any particular order)
Everyday Meals for the Everyday family by Mandie, her always-ever-so-homely meals gets you homesick, trust me!
Lavieenfribourg, rare ingredients and fun recipes. Last but not least, an amazing personality :)
Penguin in the Kitchen by Nicole, her recipes are always fun and photographs amazing.
The Little Epicurean by Maryanne, her writing is gorgeous and Peanut Butter Banana Bacon Cake! 
Sixteen Beans by Kyleen. Her pictures are awesome and i bet her cakes taste 10 times better!
Brownies up,
Jes

35 comments:

  1. Thank you for nominating me! You've been linked back to. *Hugs*

    ReplyDelete
  2. These brownies sound absolutely divine and your pictures are simply gorgeous!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my! Normal s'mores are delicious treats in themselves, but substituting the chocolate for fudgy brownies makes it an extra special treat!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the nomination! I love your pictures. What kind of lens do you use for the close up shots of the chestnut and pistachios? Those shots are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  5. hi jes! i just wanted to let you know that i found your blog and i think you are adorable! and all of your goodies look AMAZING!

    ReplyDelete
  6. @ Mandie: Happy to have knows your blog!

    @ Kate: You have to give me one of those ebelskivers!

    @ shez: Thank you for visiting back! always love your posts!

    @ kyleen: Unfortunately i only have one lens :( the original one.

    @ Caitlin: Thank you for the kind words! will visit your blog :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. New Find: the Reply and Delete buttons on the comments that suddenly appeared! I've always wanted those!

      Delete
  7. Yay, digestive biscuits for the win! I've always wanted to try smores - I saw a recipe once for a giant smores "cake" type thing. It was basically a whole pan of smores which you cut into pieces. Loving the idea of the brownies - they sound great! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. These look absolutely amazing. I don't think I've ever had 'Smores - one of the sad facts from growing up in the UK. I'll have to give these brownies a try first though, they look epic!

    ReplyDelete
  9. @ Charles: I love digestive biscuits too!! Wow... a whole pan of s'mores.... just what we all need ;)

    @ thelittleloaf: Well, i've never had s'mores before either! making them isn't so tough. must be heavenly, especially during campfires :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the nomination! Your photos look great! Pistachios in brownies?! Sounds delicious. I'm thinking of making it this weekend with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I panicked at first as I thought they were slices of egg on top - then realised it was toasted marshmallow (note to self: book eye test!)
    These look lovely - I've never had a smore, we just don't have them in ENgland.

    ReplyDelete
  12. @ the little epicurean: Yes! Pistachios in brownies! ;)

    @ The Caked Crusader: haha! your comment cracks me up! They are simple! Biscuit, chocolate, Marshmallow! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. check mate, lol
    jes, how i love this recipe, its fabs!
    good luck with your diet and stay happy :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. This looks fab. love pistachios with chocolate. one of my favourite combinations.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Brownies looks decadent and I luv smores!

    ReplyDelete
  16. @ Ira: Thank you! I've never had enough luck with diets...

    @ Iona: Chocolate and green freckles of sweet salty pistachios. Never get enough of them!

    @ TheYummyMorsel: Thank you, It's a crowd pleaser indeed. Although my family has a mindset that marshmallows suck, I attempt to change their minds.

    ReplyDelete
  17. omg that looks amazing jessica! thanks so much for dropping by my blog and leadingn me to yours! your photos are fantastic too, a lot to learn from you (:

    ReplyDelete
  18. these little babies ..ahem i meant smores pistachio brownies are to die for. a brownie and digestives with the toasted marshmallow [yummMM] gosh it's bad enough your photos are calling out to me to grab them and take a bite LOL...amazing Jesica!! And need I say more, lovely photos.. so much to improve at my end too.. Happy CNY!! xoxo..

    ReplyDelete
  19. @ Shu Han: Thank you for visiting back! The best thing about reading more blogs is to find one like yours!

    @ Jo: Thank you :) I'm glad you're back from your trip! More posts and pretty pictures, please :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jes, those look amazing. It was a brilliant idea. I'm trapped inside today. Bring me some! xo

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've always wanted to try S'mores but never get to spend much time near an open fire, a good thing as I'm quite accident prone. These S'mores sounds so decadent and yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  22. @ Robin: Thank you.. Still raining?

    @ Mandy: That's why we have ovens! haha, i'm accident prone too! :x

    @ Torviewtoronto: Thank you! Been enjoying your blog too!

    ReplyDelete
  23. S'mores Pistachio Brownies sound absolutely yum! Lovely photos- tempt you to grab one or maybe two (or three or wait, all!)

    ReplyDelete
  24. These look amazing! Wonderful idea of putting a brownie between crackers with the marshmallow :) And congrats on your nomination!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Can you believe I have never tried s'mores before?? This version looks amazingly yummy, I will absolutely have to try it. Thanks for sharing and Happy CNY!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have to say it again: your posts always make me smile.
    I love how you place your words, how you set your pictures.
    And your baking skills.
    Not to forget.

    ReplyDelete
  27. @ Shumalia: Thank you! S'mores are a crowd pleaser indeed!

    @ Stefanie: Thank you! :) Being nominated for something is always a happy news!

    @ My Lovely Bites: Happy CNY to you too! I would like to have s'mored the traditional style too!

    @ lavieenfribourg: Thank you for giving me such kind words ;)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow. What an awesome recipe and idea. I love this!

    ReplyDelete
  29. @ vanilla bean blog: Thank you for popping in!

    @ Russell: Thank you! Always nice to have your comments.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow - these smore's pistachio brownies look deadly! It's rich and decadent - what's there not to love?

    ReplyDelete
  31. These look amazing! Love the photos!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...