Black Bean Brownies! Really?

I am a fan of Joy Bauer. A few weeks ago, she posted a recipe for black-bean brownies touting the health benefits of using the beans as opposed to the oil. Fewer calories and more fiber than the traditional after school snack, I thought I'd give these a try.

Her recipe calls for a brownie mix, egg and a can of beans. I didn't happen to have any brownie mixes on hand, so I improvised and came up with my own recipe. My children ate them up without complaint. Once I told them what was in them, they did start to say they didn't like them as much. Ha ha. They were just a little more moist and fudgy than what they are used to -- that's not a negative, is it?

Black Bean Brownies

1 (15 oz.) can of black beans
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Open can of beans and rinse them. Don't empty the beans, but refill the can along with the beans with water. Dump the water and beans in a blender and mix up. Add the bean puree and the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix up with a spatula. Once completely blended add to a lightly greased 8x8 pan. Bake for 25 minutes in a 350-degree oven. 

Mastering Mashed Potatoes

I have been making mashed potatoes with a potato ricer for years! I will never do it without one again. This is the ultimate way to make lump-free, smooth and tasty mashed potatoes. Perfect timing for Thanksgiving coming up, wouldn't you say?

here.

I recently bought my second Potato Ricer on Amazonsince I am giving my first one to my daughter. It is stainless steel so I figure this one will be more sturdy.

For those of you who aren't familiar with ricers, I simply boil my potatoes, then place them into the vessel (yes, with peels still on) and smash them through the strainer. And BAM! Lump-free potatoes. They come out stringy looking. Kinda fun. My favorite disc to use is the small-holed one.

I then add nearly a can of evaporated milk, depending on the amount I am fixing and a cube of butter and then add kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Then, with a hand mixer I stir away.
My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Potato Ricers will certainly change your way of making potatoes -- it did ours! Let me know what you think!
Psst! For a great roast beef recipe to accompany these potatoes check this one out. For light and fluffy white rolls, go here.
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