Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Olive Oil Walnut Brownies



OK. I admit. Again. I was living under a rock all these years! Because I discovered brownies only recently. Am discovering that I LOVE brownies - big time. Oh, why did I not try these all these years? I am discovering I am partial to the fudgy, moist ones. Those made with melted chocolate tempt the die-hard chocolate lover in me. Add some toasted nuts and make them less sinful with the addition of olive oil - I am at a very serious risk of gorging on these every now and then. Someone stop me! Help!! The decadent looking Olive Oil Walnut Brownies on Deeba's PAB have been haunting me since the time I saw them. I finally made them and so very glad I did. Made with melted chocolate and olive oil, they are moist, chocolaty and so delicious! Crispy top, moist and chewy inside. The walnuts add the nuttiness and crunch which goes so very well with chocolate anytime. They take a third of cup of olive oil for a tray of brownies, a big plus for those counting calories or not wanting to use butter.   Beware- since these brownies are not as rich as those made with butter and tend to be high on taste, you may realize that the entire batch is over even before you know it!


I have made the recipe as is on Deeba's blog, except for the reduction of sugar as she mentions that lesser sugar should be just fine. I found the brownies just about sweet, which is perfect for me. I think half a cup of chocolate chips should make these brownies extra decadent. That's a note am not going to forget the next time I make these bites - truly darned good bites Deeba, thanks a ton for yet another keeper of a recipe!



Ingredients: 
Dark chocolate, chopped - 115 grams(aprox) 4 oz
Olive oil, pure or light - 1/3 cup ( I used light olive oil)
Eggs - 3 large
Sugar - 1 cup ( I used fine grained).
All purpose Flour - 3/4 cup
Cocoa powder - 1 heaped tablespoon
Vanilla extract or essence - 1 teaspoon
Toasted Walnuts, chopped - 1/2 cup
Semi-sweet chocolate Chips - 1/2 cup ( I did not add, but you must add!)
Salt - 1/2 teaspoon( I did not use)
Extra Un-toasted chopped walnuts for topping

Procedure:  Pre heat oven to 190 degrees C. Grease and line a 11 x 7 x 2 or 8 x 8 x 2 pan and line with baking parchment leaving an overhang if using a non-stick pan. Helps lift the entire thing out and you don't need to cut them in the pan.(Our precious non-stick bake-ware:-).Grease again. I used one 10 x 6 tray and a smaller one as I wanted the brownies thin.

Measure out and keep ready the rest of the ingredients. I am extra particular about this when a recipe calls for melted chocolate. Sift the flour and cocoa powder, set aside. Melt the dark chocolate and the olive oil in a microwave safe bowl. This will take approximately 1 minute on HIGH. Be careful not to overdo this bit. Mix well with a spoon, keep aside.

Take the eggs, sugar and vanilla essence in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium high speed for 2 and half minutes. This is how much time it took me to get the eggs fluffy. I am scared to over beat - will the brownies become cakey(?). With a spatula, blend in the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Fold in the sifted flour until just incorporated. Add walnuts and blend gently. The batter was thick-ish.

Transfer the batter to the tin. Top with the un toasted walnuts. They will toast perfectly well while the brownies bake. Bake for 20-25 minutes or till a tester comes out clean. DO NOT OVER BAKE. Its OK if there are a few crumbs sticking to the tester. The brownies will continue to cook in the tray while it cools. If you over bake, the brownies will not be moist. Cool the brownies in the pan. Cut and serve with vanilla ice cream.




 The brownie is being sent off to Divya's 3rd Blog Anniversary Event. Hope you have sent in your entries!

20 comments:

Divya Kudua said...

Oh these look delicious Suma..I too posted a fudge Brownie recipe today,but those are far from healthy,lol!I am slowly discovering baking with olive oil too and love the moist texture of the final product.These brownies are bookmarked,again!!

Thanks for sending these to my event!!

Suman Singh said...

Brownies with olive oil..sounds nothing but healthy and delicious to me..I love Deeba's blog(PAB), she really have some great recipes!Lovely pics too!

Radhika said...

Same here Suma.I have discovered my kids all time fav I guess by baking them. Yours look just too good. Book marking them. I too posted an eggless one. check it out when you find time.

Seema said...

Hey Suma,

I too had bookmarked this from PAB while I planned to send my entry to Divya's event. But eventually ended up making Robert's Absolutely Best Brownies from Deeba's again. Those were absolutely delicious and the best I have had so far. But yes they call for butter. I must try these with Olive Oil soon. Your pics make me wanna prepare these asap. Hey I love that oil dispenser of yours. Its pretty cute!

Regards,
Seema
amchi-bong-konnexion.blogspot.com
seemabbas.blogspot.com

Pavithra Elangovan said...

Looks scrumptious.. Wish i can grab one now...

Tina said...

Fabulous brownie....yummyyy...

Aruna Manikandan said...

wow...
looks rich and delicious dear :)

Nandinis food said...

Nice brownies! They're very scrumptious and tasty!

Hari Chandana P said...

Wowwww.... Looks really awesome and delicious.. Thanks for the recipe :)

Indian Cuisine

Sum said...

Lovely, Suma!

Sum said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Indian Khana said...

Looks so awesome ...yummy n looks so gud

Zareena said...

I book marked this recipe Suma. Didn't know that we can make brownies with olive oil. Excellent.
http://myexperimentswithfood.blogspot.com

Priya Suresh said...

Simply irresistible...stunning clicks..

Prema said...

Delicious and healthy version of brownie...luks yum.

Preeti said...

These little things are damn yummy....I am another brownie fan...no you are not alone....I too discovered these delicacies quite recently....

chef and her kitchen said...

even I m eyeing on these brownies from long..will give a try some time...looks yummy..

Nachiketa said...

fabulous... :)
am so glad you've found this category of sweets..... brownies are just so simple to put together and so many flavours to play with...

Cheers,
The Variable, Crazy Over Desserts - Nachiketa
Catch me on facebook @ Crazy Over Desserts

KrithisKitchen said...

Absolutely awesome and beautiful... Cant stop drooling over ur pics...

http://krithiskitchen.blogspot.com
Herbs & Flowers in my Platter - Coriander/Cilantro
Breakfast Club - Pancakes

Sum said...

Baked these today while my lil someone watched from his rocking chair, listening excitedly to the stand mixer! The brownies turned out great thanks to your recipe. Felt sad that I can't feed him a piece of it ;) Will definitely remember this as his introduction to baking and bake him again when he's big enough to eat :) Thank you!!!