The world is full of fakes. There I said it and I mean it. From our highest ranking officials all the way down to the guy standing by the side of the road holding the sign that says I can’t feed my kids. All the while standing there smoking a cigarette and drinking a Red Bull. Where did that money come from? Momma Said, “Work harder at getting a job and stop wasting my time!”
Every corner you turn help wanted signs are posted in the windows of almost every business. It can’t be said that there are no jobs to be had. If you want to get up off your butt and go support your family it can be done. I have worked since I was 16 years old and most of the time that was supporting myself. I cannot abide lazy people.
My mother raised me to be self-sufficient and to stand on my own two feet. I am not rich by any means but I am not starving either. I get up every morning, go to work and get on with life. I have slowed down in the past couple years but I still manage to take care of myself, my animals, the yard work and my home.
I am not a sit around person and besides if I sit too much I get so stiff I can’t move. I can still hear Gran every time I get up groaning and moaning with pain, she would say, “You rest, you rust.” And that is the truth. So many people just stop trying and just accept defeat. Momma Said, “They are going to have to take me out kicking and screaming, I will not go down without a fight!!!”
Oreo Brownies
Ingredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate bar, chopped
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cubed
1 & 1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8 whole oreos crushed, for the batter
10 oreos broken into pieces for the top of the brownies (I used regular and mini oreos)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
In a mixing bowl, combine the properly measured flour, salt and cocoa powder. Stir together with a spoon until mixed. Set aside.
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the chopped unsweetened chocolate and cubed butter. Stir occasionally until it’s fully melted, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a larger mixing bowl, beat the granulated sugar and eggs plus additional egg yolk with an electric mixer for 1 minute, until the mixture is pale yellow and doubled in volume.
Once the chocolate is melted, pour it into the egg mixture. Then add the vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Stir with a spatula to combine.
Spoon the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, add the crushed oreos for the batter and mix with a spatula just until combined. Do not continue to mix the batter once you can no longer see flour.
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and press the additional rough chopped oreos on top, pushing them into the batter. Bake for 35-40 minutes (glass pan) 27-32 minutes (metal pan) or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the brownies to cool then slice.
HOW TO CUT BROWNIES NEATLY
To get really nice clean brownie squares, I like to refrigerate my brownies for at least 30 minutes before cutting. Then I use a long 8 inch chef’s knife to cut them. But here’s the MOST IMPORTANT TIP, wipe the knife CLEAN between each cut. Yes, it’s annoying, but it works!
