The essential ingredients

I was talking with a friend recently about meal plans and grocery lists. We started joking around about how there are certainly days that we do not do so well writing and sticking to our lists. We laughingly discussed what our essential items are when we are paying a lazy visit to the food store. So here are mine.

A) Unsweetened cocoa powder. For those homemade brownies.

B) Any kind of baking mix. For cheesy garlic biscuits.

Homemade Brownies:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
4. To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm.

Cheesy Garlic Bisffins:

(This recipe is from my cousin Candace, a wonderful cook!)

2 Cups baking mix

1 1/2 Cups shredded cheddar

1 tsp garlic salt

enough milk to moisten into a dough form.

Mix ingredients and place in a greased muffin tin. I usually make about 10 out of this recipe. Cook at 350 degrees until golden (15-20 min).

So as long as I've got my chocolate, and my salt, I am a happy woman!!