Peanut Butter Squares

for the base:

quarter cup brown sugar

1 and three quarter cups powdered sugar

half stick unsalted butter

three quarters cup smooth peanut butter


for the topping:

7oz milk chocolate

3oz semi-sweet chocolate

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 x 9 inch square brownie tin, lined, preferably, with Silpat



Stir all the ingredients for the base together until smooth. I use the paddle attachment to my mixer but a bowl and a wooden spoon will do the job just as well. Press the sandy mixture into the lined brownie tin and make the surface as even as possible.

To make the topping, melt the chocolates and butter together (in a microwave for ease, for a minute or two on medium) and spread on the base. Put the tin in the fridge to set. When the chocolate has hardened, cut into small squares.

Makes approximately 48.

Nigella's Comforting Beef Casserole (Stew)

Wow, I saw this on tv today and made it tonight and it's really really good. I think the allspice and orange are what make this so special. I halved the recipe for Sean and me and leftovers. Yum!

1/2 cup olive oil (not extra-virgin), or vegetable oil
2 pounds onions, roughly chopped
1 1/2 pounds carrots, cut on the diagonal to give slanted oval slices
1/2 cup flour
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried sage leaves
2 teaspoons ground allspice
4 1/2 pounds stewing or chuck steak, diced
1 large orange, zested and juiced
2 cups stout
2 cups water
4 bay leaves
Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan or deep casserole, and fry the onions and carrots until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes.

Remove the softened and oil-glossed vegetables to a bowl, and add the remaining oil to the pan. Put the flour into a large freezer bag along with salt and pepper, sage, and allspice; add the beef pieces to the bag, tossing in the flour, before searing the meat in the pan. Do this in batches, browning the meat a little and removing all of the beef to a large dish as you go.

When all the meat is browned and out of the pan, whisk or stir in the orange juice and stout and let it come to the boil. Add the water and then return the meat and vegetables to the pan. Stir in the orange zest and bay leaves, bring to the boil and then turn the stew down to a soft simmer. Cover and cook for 2 1/2 hours. This is best reheated 1 or 2 days after, but if you are serving the stew on the same day, then add another half hour to the cooking time just to make sure the meat is soft, mellow and tender.

French Toast Turkey Sandwich

These are so good, this is adapted from a Rachael Ray recipe, I've made these a few times and it's a heavy sandwich but very satisfying. I made these today for lunch, but just two for Sean and Me.

Serves 4

8 slices whole wheat bread
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg or freshly grated nutmeg
Butter, for greasing skillet - or Earth Balance trasfat free spread
1 Gala or Golden Delicious apple, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced
1 (6 to 8-ounce) brick Vermont sharp cheddar, thinly sliced - whatever sliced cheese you have is fine, I have used cheddar or havarti
3/4 pound deli sliced smoked turkey breast

Begin to assemble an assembly line leading to your pan. Place a pile of bread next to a shallow dish or disposable pie tin containing the eggs, beaten with milk, sugar, and nutmeg. Nestle a piece of cold butter in a folded paper towel and keep on hand to wipe and grease your skillet. Pile apples, cheese, and turkey on the cutting board to finish your assembly line.

Preheat nonstick griddle or large skillet over moderate heat.

To make sandwiches, coat pan with butter, dip 4 pieces of bread on both sides in the egg, and place in the pan. Cook 2 minutes and turn 2 slices over. Top the 2 slices you turned with thin layers of cheese, apple, turkey and another slice of cheese. Top sandwich filling with the other 2 slices of bread, keeping the uncooked side up; you are just sliding these pieces over from pan to top of sandwich. Now flip the entire sandwich over to cook the opposite side of the sandwich. Gently press down on the sandwich as it grills the last minute or two. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients.

Cut sandwiches on a diagonal and serve.

Chicken or Turkey Casserole

Chicken or Turkey Casserole

Terra Cotta's Chicken Salad

Terra Cotta's Chicken Salad