Gluten Free Peanut and Almond Chocolate Brownie Pots .. and the Food Blog Forum Orlando

Gluten Free Brownie Pots

What a fabulous weekend this was! I was in Orlando for two days attending the Food Blog Forum and meeting so many people I had been speaking with for months.

Crazy world that we live in now, isn't it?! We talk for hours on non-personal mediums before actually making that face to face connection, which, has typically been the basis of any relationship. Yet, it works!! I had a blast finally meeting those who have inspired me, supported me and just so many new lovely bloggers.

And, Oh! yes, the short respite from the quizzical NY weather was ofcourse lovely. Ninety degrees ain't barmy, I agree but after tiring six months barely North of the thirties done make one more acceptable of the other extreme.

The Speakers

So, what happened at the forum? A lot of good learning and merry making.Julie and Dawn had lined up just the perfect speakers that as a food blogger we would be interested in hearing from. There were discussions around building the optimal site (for viewers and search engines), food composition and photography, making a buddy of that big media house rounding off with the plain simple truth.. the opportunities for making moolah in it all!!

And special thanks to Jaden for being so open about how she came to be where she is, putting real things in uncluttered perspoective and giving us an idea of just what we can aim for. She was indeed the true Spirit of Generosity that she believes in!

I think it's safe to say that we all left optimistic, enthused and ready to start converting our dreams to reality.. setting goals, making real plans of getting there and working consistently on getting there. So good luck to us all! :)

Helen styling session

As part of the event, Julie and Dawn had also arranged great mixers pre and post. Friday was bit of feeling your way through evening but by Saturday we were all good friends! LOL. I am so happy I got to meet so many passionate and fabulously talented bloggers, not to mention, amazing people I have been wanting to meet for eons!!

I finally met Helen!!! Her photography has been an inspiration for my journey of viewing through the lens. I have spent so many hours, I don't dare to count, ogling through her archives and the ethereal beauty of her photos, in a quest to learn and grow.

Bread & Spread styled by Helen

Sometime during Saturday evening, Helen, Jeff, Susie and I were discussing photography (DUH! right! 2 photographers and 1 wannabe!) and particularly the merits of shooting food against dark and white backgrounds. I personally love photos with dark backgrounds. I think it isn't for every subject but there are some, and I remember, specifically, bringing up the brownie, as on that works on a dark background.

So, yesterday, when I was itching to bake and since brownies are my somewhat comfort dessert, I fall back on, brownies it was. But, of course, I wanted to try something new right?! So, hesitantly, I looked around and mustered up the courage to go gluten free again.

Brownie pots

No, really, I was not banking on serendipity. Just more flavorful flavors that are similar in texture and density to regular flour. And, my secret was ... peanut flour!! I have to confess, I don't like peanuts in food.. just cannot do it. But in here with the chocolate and almonds, the flavor is mellow and smooth.

Peanut with chocolate is awesome! Two strong flavors that yet, balance and bounce of each other. The brownie has the hint of peanut but is also well rounded by the cocoa and dark chocolate. Texture wise, it is moist, with a fudge like bottom and more more cake like topping.

Brownie Pot scooped

I made these in little pots, just for fun. It's cool to have your own brownie pot, ain't it, especially, since I find it very very hard to share brownies! Anyway, you can always make these in the typical brownie mold that you use. Happy Week! :)




Gluten Free Peanut and Almond Chocolate Brownie Pots
(based on my original Brownie recipe)

Brownie Pots scooped
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Total Time: 35 min
Yield: 4 individual servings

5 T butter

1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (be generous)
2 T cocoa powder
1 egg
2 T fine peanut flour
2 T buckwheat flour
3 T almond meal
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
1/8 tsp baking powder
dried plums (optional) '

Over a double boiler melt together the butter, sugar, salt, cocoa and chocolate until the butter has melted and it's a thick mixture. Remove from heat and whisk in the egg quickly. Add the almond meal, both the flours, baking powder and mix completely.

Pour the batter into a greased individual ramekins. Place dried plum in the center of each ramekin. Bake at 350 F for about 25 minutes. Remove to cool on rack for as long as you can hold yourself.