Fun Monday - Signature Dishes

Sayre over at Sayre Smiles continues as our Fun Monday host for June. Her assignment for June 13: share descriptions and/or recipes for our signature dishes. If there's a celebration or party, what dish do the attendees beg you to bring? Or, what do you like to cook to share with others?

Sayre, I used to be a serious cook, but not any more. Usually the rare time I go to someone else's home I'm good for dessert--purchased at the Homemade Pie and Ice Cream Kitchen. One thing that I'm moderately famous for is combining chocolate and creme de menthe liquor. Many years ago I made this chococate cake flavored with creme de menthe, filled with a green creme de menthe frosting, topped with dark fudge frosting and decorated with rows of Andes mint triangles--very fancy.

These days I'm into less complicated. Recently I was invited to "audit" a friend's book club. My ticket in was a pan of Paula Deen's Creme de Menthe Brownies. They were a big success and very easy to make. Here's how:

Creme De Menthe Brownies
From Paula's Home Cooking/Celebrates/Nov/Dec 2005 issue

Ingredients
Shaved Creme de Menthe thins (recommended: Andes Creme de Menthe thins)
1 (10-ounce) package Creme de Menthe baking chips (recommended: Andes)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cup sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
Chocolate frosting, see recipe below

Frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1/3 cup cocoa
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13-by-9-by-2-inch pan.

Using an electric mixer, combine butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla, mixing well.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and baking powder. Gradually stir into butter mixture. Fold in mint chips. Spoon into greased pan. Bake for 35 minutes.

While brownies are baking, prepare frosting. Combine butter, cocoa, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and milk in a large mixing bowl; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until dry ingredients are moistened. Beat at high speed until spreading consistency.

Remove pan from the oven and allow brownies to cool in pan on wire rack. Spread with chocolate frosting. Top with shaved mint thins.

24 Servings

Be sure and check out other Fun Monday players, especially if your're looking for inspiration in the kitchen!