Spring 2004 Edition

Chocolate Covered Secrets     Besides being known as the Kitchen Elf, Fair Lawn News has often referred to Jeanne Baratta (with both affection and respect) as Fair Lawn's Martha Stewart.  Given the latest news from U.S. Federal Court, how does Ms. Baratta feel about that nickname?     Baratta told Fair Lawn News, "I am quite flattered to be compared to a woman of much talent and fame. I am however, appalled by Martha's deceit, and was not surprised to see her declared guilty. Maybe, subconsciously, that is why I felt compelled to 'come clean' about the brownies at this time."   By Jeanne Baratta (Fair Lawn's Kitchen Elf)   I look forward to this time of year, not only because the crocus bulbs are blooming, or the trees are beginning to show some buds, or that I can stop wearing that heavy winter coat. All of those things are wonderful, but I also look forward to my menu change. For me that change comes with the beginning of the Lenten Season. For those of you not familiar with the season of Lent, here is a quick primer.   Lent is the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday (we skip Sundays when we count the 40 days). Lent is a season of soul searching and repentance, for reflection and taking stock and for prayer and fasting. Lent commemorates the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, likewise the 40 days Moses spent on the Mountain and the 40 days that Elijah traveled before he reached the cave where he received his visions. Thus, the 40 days, religiously, are a traditional number of discipline, devotion, and preparation.   That being said, growing up in my family, we concentrated on the fasting and abstaining (it was always about the food). My Mother did not prepare meat on Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent. During the rest of the year, she would not dream of serving meat on a Friday. Now I know that the Pope changed these rules, and I am sure that he is enjoying a nice juicy steak on Friday, but my Mother is not! I am not sure how Wednesday got into the picture, but I believe that it had to do with economics and the cost of meat for the poor.   It is also traditional to give up something that we enjoy during the Lenten season. This tradition lives on in my home. We discuss this together right before Ash Wednesday, and one of the kids will always declare that they are giving up homework, or school. We explain that they must give up something they enjoy and they will usually profess how much they “love” homework, etc. One year my oldest daughter decided to give up mayonnaise. I did not think that condiments counted and she was told to try again. The year my son gave up computer and video games was a struggle, but he persevered. This year he chose soda, a much easier proposition.   I get very creative in my menu preparation during this season and I do believe we eat much healthier. I prepare many vegetarian dishes and I cook more seafood. I also bake loafs and loafs of our traditional Italian Easter Bread and other goodies. That brings me to the irony of the season. We are abstaining; we are fasting; yet I believe we are eating much better! Salmon stuffed with crabmeat, scallop and shrimp scampi, eggplant parmigiana, linguini with clam sauce. Where is the sacrifice? I think it is in my wallet, because this food is expensive!   This brings me to my ultimate sacrifice this year. Traditionally, I give up ice cream and chocolate every year. Ice cream is not much of a sacrifice for me, but the chocolate, well that is a biggie! Now I could easily be sure there is no chocolate in my house, but that would not be fair to everyone else. To make matters worse, I bake brownies almost every week. I am known for my brownies, they are always requested and I will always bring them to a party, especially if I know children will be there.   Recently, however, my brownies were not welcomed at a party. You see, someone else made brownies and when they saw mine, they were quite upset. They felt upstaged by my decadently fudgy, perfectly frosted, and beautifully decorated brownies. Now normally, I would be demure and humble in a situation such as this. However, this being the season of Lent, I decided to make a much bigger sacrifice; I declared (confessed) to everyone in the room the secret to my brownies!   The Secret to Making Brownies:   I confess, my brownies are made from a mix. (Sure I have made them from scratch, but conveniently and economically you can’t beat the mixes out there.)  Any mix will do, brand does not matter. Follow the directions on the box except, decrease the baking time suggested by 3 minutes. This makes the brownies much fudgier. After removing the brownies from the oven, cool them on a rack for 5 minutes, and then put them in the freezer. Yes, the freezer! After about 30 minutes, remove them from the freezer and frost them with canned chocolate frosting. Make decorative zigzags with the tines of a fork and add some sprinkles. Then put them back in the freezer. 30 minutes later, remove them from the freezer and cut them into bars. If you are not serving them right away keep them frozen, they will not freeze solid, but will stay fudgy.     Check out the Kitchen Elf's Other Wonderful Articles A Little Update (Winter 2003) The Games We Play (June 2003) Has Spring Really Sprung  (April 2003) Happy Hour:  Rated 'G'  (February 2003) Holiday Sanity (December 2002) For The Birds  (October 2002) In My Vegetable Garden  (August 2002) What To Do With Kids on Summer Vacation  (June 2002) Family Time and Dinner Time  (April 2002) What To Give (And Not Give) Your Wife (February 2002)  Kitchen Elf on Staying Fit  (December 2001) New Market and Gourmet Apples  (October 2001)