Cooking With Permjit K. Sandhu

Chocolate - what an amazing creation in all its forms. From cakes, cookies, brownies, ice creams, sauces, bars, fondues, toppings to even salsa, chocolate is one of those things that has a place in countless recipes and cuisines. I have enjoyed unique creations as far as India and Beijing! 

One of my favourite chocolate-based desserts is a brownie. I have such fond memories of my childhood in Victoria, walking home from school and stopping at the French bakery to treat myself. Much like a croissant, these puff pastries were filled with melted dark chocolate. I would buy one and tried my very best to resist the temptation of devouring it all at once. Instead, I would take off a small piece and savour each morsel, and then put the rest back in the brown paper bakery bag hoping I could save some for later. 

For birthdays, my brothers and sisters could hardly wait for a delectable double layered, frosted chocolate cake topped with sprinkles, which our father would always buy from the local baker. The cake was gently placed on a white doily in a pink box with a twine bow tied on the top. I think this is when my love for chocolate began. I took a job later on in my teens at the local bakery because I just couldn’t get enough of the aroma and excitement of being around baked goods, and getting paid for it! 

The job at the bakery required me to learn about the many different uses, techniques, flavours, and textures of chocolate in baking. I still use that knowledge I gained back then today. 

The following recipe is for my Incredibly Fudgy Brownies. This is an easy recipe which requires only two bowls and light mixing. I like to serve it with either ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. 

Ingredients: 

  • ¾ Cup Sugar (granulated)
  • ¾ Cup All purpose flour
  • 2/3 Cup Cocoa powder
  • ½ Cup Powdered (icing) sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • ½ Cup Chocolate chips
  • ¼ Cup Walnuts (chopped)
  • 2 Eggs 
  • ½ Cup Vegetable oil 
  • 2 Teaspoons Vanilla

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325F. 
  2. In a large bowl, sift the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and salt. 
  3. Mix in chopped walnuts and chocolate chips. 
  4. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla for three minutes. 
  5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry until well combined. 
  6. Grease an 8”x 8” square baking pan. Then line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides. 
  7. Pour mixture into the prepared pan. 
  8. Bake for 40 minutes on a rack in the lower third of the oven.
  9. Serve with a dollop of whipped or ice cream. 

Serves 9-12.