Brownie and Movie weekend

My goal for this past weekend was to sleep late, bake, enjoy some movies and hang out with family. Mission accomplished! I started my Friday evening enjoying some delicious Sea Salt Caramel Brownies (recipe below) with a side of Dear John. Seems like such a girlie thing to do, but I was glad to enjoy the time alone. The movie was rather sad and yet the whole time I kept thinking how my fiance thinks I look like Amanda Seyfried. I don't see it.

Saturday, fun times in the city with the auntie. We spent the whole day walking and shopping downtown from the east side to the west side. I purchased a Josh Brody dress, a winter hat and a faux fur coat by Laundry. I can't wait for the cold weather!

Sunday, fun day! I spent the day visiting a close friend of mine. Normally the drive to his place takes about 10 minutes. Well, on Sunday, it took me about 40 minutes. I was stuck behind a wood chipper truck. Since the tornado passed through Queens on Thursday, Forest Hills has been on lock down. The streets are covered with tree trunks and branches. It really does look like a war zone. After sitting in traffic all that time, I was even more starving than when I started. Upon my arrival, I quickly chased my friend out of his apt and we strolled over to his local Indian restaurant.  We ate great Indian food, followed by gelato. Only in New York can you enjoy authentic Indian food and then follow it up with an Italian treat! Love it!

I hope you all had a great weekend and enjoyed the NYC weather.

Sea Salt Caramel Brownies

Sea Salt Caramel

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup

• 1 teaspoon Vanilla

• 1/4 cup sour cream

In a medium saucepan, combine the cream and the salt. Simmer over very low heat until the salt is dissolved. Stir in the sugar and corn syrup carefully. Cook over medium heat until it is a medium goldish brown – it will continue to cook in the heat of the pan. Remove from the heat and let cool for one minute. Whisk in the sour cream. Let the caramel cool to room temp, then follow the brownie instructions. Left over caramel may be refrigerated.


Brownies

Ingredients

• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1 cup of sugar

• ½ cup of light brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons vanilla

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup all purpose flour minus 2 tablespoons

• 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder

• pinch salt

• 1/4 cup Chocolate Syrup

• half of the above caramel recipe

• (optional) pecans

Preheat oven to 325F.

Melt Chocolate and butter in small saucepan over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.

In a bowl, mix together sugar, eggs, and vanilla, and mix until well combined

Add flour, cocoa powder, salt, chocolate syrup and chocolate mixture and blend well.

In a greased 8×8 pan, pour a little over half of the brownie batter and bake for 18 minutes. Remove from oven and pour in the caramel. On top of the caramel, add the rest of your brownie batter. Add pecans to the top if you desire. Return to oven and bake for another 18-22 minutes. Brownies will still appear a little shaky, due to the caramel, but they will firm up once cooled. Do not overbake.

Can be enjoyed with fresh whipped cream or ice cream.