What's cookin' at the Schramm's

We've tried a few new recipes around here lately.  I had to post these two, one for how strange the ingredient list was and the other for how amazing it was!   The first was a brownie recipe that we made when we were having some friends over, one of which was keeping gluten out of her diet.  I was SOOO hesitant to even try  the brownies because I knew what was in them.  Here is the recipe.

BLACK BEAN BROWNIES:
1 can black beans (salt free. drained/rinsed)
3 eggs
1/3 C. melted butter
1/4 C. cocoa powder
1/8 tsp salt (omit the salt if you do not have salt free beans)
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 C. + 2 Tbs sugar
1/2 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 C. chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 and lightly butter an 8x8 glass baking dish.
In blender or food processor, puree beans, eggs, butter, cocoa, salt, vanilla and sugar until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Bake 30 minutes or until center is set.

 I used applesauce for the butter so I made it gluten and dairy free.  I also didn't blend in the chocolate chips and instead just sprinkled them on top.  The batter is REALLY thin so I had read that most people had trouble with the chocolate chips all sinking to the bottom.  I thought they were pretty evenly distributed this way. Though I must admit, they were good, I was not reaching for a second one and sent the leftovers to our friend's house. :)  Here is a picture of our finished product.

Looks pretty good for having black beans in it huh? :)  Definitely think I would make them again if we had company over that couldn't eat gluten or dairy.  Might even try to use honey or pure maple syrup or something instead of the sugar next time.  Then I would feel like a super healthy mom. ;)

Ha!  Who am I kidding.  This is what we had for breakfast this morning. 

Best Ever French Toast
4 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
12 slices of bread
Butter (for cooking and spreading)
Syrup

• Mix together dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl
• Beat together eggs, milk and vanilla then add to dry ingredients and combine
• Heat a large skillet or griddle
• Add butter to skillet
• Dip each slice of bread in egg mixture and flip once
• Cook each slice for about 1 minute per side or until golden brown
• Continue adding butter (mmm. mmmm. mmmmm.) as you cook more slices

No picture of the finished product but I think I might just agree that this is the best ever french toast recipe.  I added extra cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on one side as it was cooking and of course adding powdered sugar sprinkled on top.  I didn't use butter while I cooked them, so its okay. :) Served with bananas, strawberries, bacon and a tall glass of milk...mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmm, mmmmm!  Definitely keeping that recipe!!