Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches

What should you do with your leftover brownies?

Make ice cream sandwiches!

Sometimes the easiest things to make are the best.  What could be better than a chocolaty brownie and your favorite ice cream?  Not much!

My favorite ice cream is Chocolate Chip Mint, so that's what I used.  You can substitute your favorite to customize your ice cream sandwich.

To assemble:

Set your favorite ice cream flavor out on the counter to soften for about 10 min.  Take two brownies, add a scoop of ice cream on one brownie.  Take the top brownie and push down the ice cream to mold the sandwich.  Drizzle some chocolate fudge or syrup on top.  Enjoy!

Here's a brownie recipe that I really like.

Decadent Brownies

serves 16

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup white sugar*
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Use cooking spray to grease a 9x9 inch baking pan.

In a medium bowl, mix together the oil, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in eggs.  In another bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.  Stir into the egg mixture until well blended. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 30 minutes before cutting into squares. *Note:  to reduce the carb count of this brownie substitute 1/2 cup of Splenda Sugar Blend for the sugar listed above.  You need to use the sugar blend instead of all Splenda no calorie sweetener to allow the brownies to rise and use the baking properties of the actual sugar.

Pasta with Sausage and Pecorino

Hope everyone's having a great weekend.  It's raining here...a little cold....a little gloomy.

So I wanted to throw out a quick post for a great lunch dish, nothing fancy, just something simple but hearty and satisfying...

Pasta with Sausage and Pecorino

The sausage gives it some hearty texture and the pecorino lends a nutty flavor.  The sauce is made from light fresh tomatoes...quick and easy.  Great for an easy lunch or a light dinner.

The technique is simple.  Boil the pasta in one pot and in a skillet cook the sausage and onions.  Make the sauce by adding the garlic and tomatoes, allowing to cook to release the juices. 

Then just add the pasta to the sauce and stir to combine.  Add a little cheese for some gooeyness then follow with the remaining ingredients and your done....

Yum!

Pasta with Sausage and Pecorino
serves 4

8 oz uncooked penne

8 oz Italian sausage, sweet or hot
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/3 cup onion, sliced

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 1/4 pounds roma tomatoes, chopped

6 tablespoons grated fresh pecorino Romano cheesesalt & pepper

1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Remove casings from sausage.   Add oil to the skillet and heat.  Add sausage and onion to pan; cook 4 minutes, stirring to crumble sausage. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and cook another 2 minutes.  

Turn the heat off and add the drained pasta and 2 tablespoons of cheese.  Stir to coat.    Season with salt & pepper.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese and basil.