The first food blog I discovered was Béa's La Tartine Gourmande. I've been a big fan ever since. I always feel inspired by her stories, recipes, photography and food styling. I've tried and enjoyed many of her recipes - there are too many to mention. Recently, while doing my research on beetroot for my previous post (How do you Beet it?), I stumbled upon her Dark Chocolate Beet Brownie. Beetroot and dark chocolate...wow!
Whenever I come across a recipe that intrigues me, there is only one thing to do - make it! Since Peabody's virtual potluck Housewarming Party is coming up on 8th December, I thought that this will also be a good excuse to bake something sweet. I'm "bringing" this brownie to the party because it's so different - most people would not have tried before. I may even be able to persuade a few people to enjoy beetroot. That includes you beet ambivalent ladies - Kate , Susan , Cynthia and Wendy! ;-)
Béa adapted the brownie recipe from Cuisine Gourmande. Her original recipe can be found here.
My adjustments: In anticipation that Béa preferred the brownie to be less sweet, I increased the sugar to 120g. Since I wanted my brownie to be deep & dark, I also added a heaped tablespoon of cocoa powder with the flour. I used a square pan (7″ x 7″).
Verdict: This is a MUST for beetroot lovers. The sweet, earthy flavour of beetroot was a perfect match for the dark chocolate. Due to the use of ground almond and not as much butter as some brownie recipes, this brownie was moist without being dense. The texture was not like a typical brownie, but was more like a cross between a friand/fanancier(due to the ground almond ) and carrot cake (due to the shredded beetroot). I think I will increase the amount of cocoa next time. It got Quikong's two thumbs up, so Peabody, I hope that you and the other "guests" at the party will enjoy it too.
Why not join in the fun at Peabody's Housewarming Party? Make a dish and post the recipe on your blog by 6th December. You can also join the party if you don't have a blog. More details here.
Whenever I come across a recipe that intrigues me, there is only one thing to do - make it! Since Peabody's virtual potluck Housewarming Party is coming up on 8th December, I thought that this will also be a good excuse to bake something sweet. I'm "bringing" this brownie to the party because it's so different - most people would not have tried before. I may even be able to persuade a few people to enjoy beetroot. That includes you beet ambivalent ladies - Kate , Susan , Cynthia and Wendy! ;-)
Béa adapted the brownie recipe from Cuisine Gourmande. Her original recipe can be found here.
My adjustments: In anticipation that Béa preferred the brownie to be less sweet, I increased the sugar to 120g. Since I wanted my brownie to be deep & dark, I also added a heaped tablespoon of cocoa powder with the flour. I used a square pan (7″ x 7″).
Verdict: This is a MUST for beetroot lovers. The sweet, earthy flavour of beetroot was a perfect match for the dark chocolate. Due to the use of ground almond and not as much butter as some brownie recipes, this brownie was moist without being dense. The texture was not like a typical brownie, but was more like a cross between a friand/fanancier(due to the ground almond ) and carrot cake (due to the shredded beetroot). I think I will increase the amount of cocoa next time. It got Quikong's two thumbs up, so Peabody, I hope that you and the other "guests" at the party will enjoy it too.
Why not join in the fun at Peabody's Housewarming Party? Make a dish and post the recipe on your blog by 6th December. You can also join the party if you don't have a blog. More details here.
37 comments:
Nora, what a great idea! I will save this idea for future use since I am in the phase to cut down on baking :P. Wouldn't mind a piece, though!
Oh lovely!
A neighbour has just given me a bag of beets. Am going to experiment with them today!
Anh - I've also been cutting down on baking (sweet stuff), that's why I needed a good excuse to make these :-)
BBOven - Thank you.
Wendy - Good girl!
Great color on that brownie! Very deep and dark. hope to see you at the housewarming...
I am one who have never tried beet before. Maybe this recipe would be a good introduction for me.
Yes, that's a recipe that would convince me of beetroot's worth!
I've never used beet root before although I think the first red velvet cake used it . gorgeous brownie!
I'll definitly try one at the housewarming party! They look so tempting and yummy. I've never tried using beets in this way before but it looks great!
The beets would make these brownies good for you as well as calorie free ...right Nora???I have bookmarked this recipe for when we get those beets in the fall!!!
WOW!
I think they are lovely for the holidays! The red lends itself to Christmas - maybe a fresh mint leaf for a garnish would really make it look festive for a holiday table! I have been looking for an excuse to make brownies, now I have it!
I almost made this recipe this weekend too! But I ended up making Melissa's olive oil brownies - mmm. Doesn't mean I won't make the beetroot ones.
Beautiful color of brownies, the beets made the color so nice. Yumm
Hi Nora - I've seen similar recipes for this in the past but have never been brave enough to make it. The cake looks really good and I love the colour.
Hi Nora, I've only had beetroot in a Hungry Jack's Burger! This is totally new to me, using beetroot in a cake, but such a novel idea!
I can turn Beetroot lover just with this dark choc brownie :D
After having seen these, I wish I would have been able to try one... I am usually not drawn to brownies but these are so different!
I'd love to try this one since brownies is my hubby fav (and I like to try something new).
Thanks for sharing Nora.
Aimée - Thanks. I wish it was deeper and darker though.
Mandy - The beetroot flavour is definitely there, but the chocolate does compliment it well, so it might be a good intro for beet newbies ;-)
Lucy - Hoo-ray!!
Veron - Thank you! Red velvet is one of those cakes on my "to bake" list.
Half-Baked - Thanks! And looking forward to "seeing" you at the party.
Valli - yes, that's right!!! ;-) Putting a vegetable in cakes erases all calories. lol!
Amanda - thanks :-)
Rosa - Olive oil brownies? I'll have to check it out.
Everything4sweets - I liked the colour too.
Carol - Thanks. Actually, the first time I had beetroot was in a Hungry Jack's burger!
Tigerfish - yeaaah!!! :-)
Eva - I'm so sorry that I forgot to bring some for you when we met for brunch. I had it all wrapped up nicely too. It's now in the freezer for future consumption.
Ayone - I hope he also likes beetroot. :-)
I recently tried beets for the first time and I have been on the lookout for more beet recipes. Beet and chocolate brownies sound very interesting.
I eat beet a lot, and have recently also tried beetroot cake. I need to to try a beetroot brownie soon, too - sounds really intriguing!
PS Just discovered your blog via Shaun's - nice to be here:)
I am thinking you will have some beetroot converts with these brownies! Thanks so much for coming to the party!
How interesting...
Dear Nora,
Thank you so much for sharing your brownies with us...
We had them in two separate evenings. The first evening, A-M did not believe me when I said one of the ingredients was beetroots. The second night, for some reason, she could finally taste it a little. I think it is a great way of adding some color and sweetness to a dessert and I am very glad you shared it with us. I will have to make some for my family (all lovers of beetroots) when I go back to Canada.
P.S. Wow! The picture of the whole dessert looks gorgeous... Thinking that my brownies were part of that before I ate them makes me feel very special :-)
I'm intrigued. I've just got to try this, Nora!
What an interesting flavor pairing. You are a bold baker to try it and fortune favors the bold!
Kevin - I am very much into beet this last few weeks. Beet goes well with choc. It's also good raw, grated together with carrots and an apple. Add some balsamic and olive oil, toss it. Leave it in the fridge for at least half an hour, crumb some goat's cheese feta and you have a very refreshing salad.
Pille - I'm trying beet in every way! Thanks for dropping by. I am going to try making your non-canandian apple cake very soon.
Peabody - Thank you for inviting us!
Lydia H - Thanks!
Hi Em - Glad that you and AM liked it. It does have a different taste and texture to regular brownie, so I was a bit worried that AM might not like it. This was really easy to make, so with all the beets from your parent's garden, you'll have lots of fun making this brownie.
p/s: yes, your are special because the piece I gave you was the "model" for this post!
Susan - That's why I just had to make it! :-)
Lynn - Thanks. I thought that since it was from Bea's blog, I can't go wrong with this recipe.
As you've already noted, Nora, a sweet beet ain't my cuppa, BUT there is something to be said for combining chocolate with unexpected quirky flavors that really does rock. I baked brownies a while back with chili powder; they blew me away.
Wow, that brownie is the die for. Atlanta showing you love. Hit me up some time.
We are all going to eat so well at Peabody's party =)
I have read about beetroot in baking, and was intrugued, and now seing a picture, the colour comes through so well. Sounds and looks good!
Beetroot reminds me so much of my mom, Nora! And that heart is just adorable!
I love the idea of a beetroot brownie, and you added touch of the heart-shaped template was so sweet!
And I'm not a chocolate lover either :( now I feel like a fussy eater but I'm not, honestly :)
Nora, This brownie looks delicious.
I would never think of adding beetroot to the chocolate cake... but it sounds like a good idea!
Margot
Margot's reply on my potato brownie's potato, brought me here. Yours lookk good
I just made a beetroot cake yesterday, golden not chocolate, but would like to have a try at a beet & chocolate combo. This looks delicious!
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