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The New Zucchini Bread: Whole-Wheat Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

The New Zucchini Bread: Whole-Wheat Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

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I know you love baking Zucchini Bread, especially during the summer, so now I’m going to give you a much better alternative for fall: Whole-Wheat Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies! Yes folks, zucchini does belong in brownies – it gives the brownies moisture and weight as well as vitamins and other health benefits. In fact, you can use any light-tasting squash in this recipe.

Last fall, my home garden sprouted several squash/pumpkin/zucchini-looking plants all on its own, which threatened to overtake all the vegetables I had actually planted! I kept them in check by picking and cooking as many blossoms as I could, but I still had a lot of green, striped and orangeish squash to eat during fall and winter. So they almost all went into brownies, but lots went into Squash Risotto with Chardonnay. Also amazing.

Whole-Wheat Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies recipe

Dark chocolate morsels make the flavor rich while adding antioxidants and whole wheat flour works beautifully, making these brownies a little cake-like. And I love encountering the surprise bites of salty-sweet afforded by the coarse sea salt. This brownie recipe is so good; it’s the only one I use now.

Whole-Wheat Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

Adapted from Very Best Baking

Ingredients for 16 servings:

  • 1 cup white whole-wheat flour
  • 1/3 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • 1 regular-size package dark chocolate morsels
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups grated zucchini (about 3 medium)

Directions:

1. PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Line 9-inch-square baking pan with foil.
2. COMBINE flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in medium bowl.
3. MELT 1 cup morsels in large, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Stir in oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg whites and vanilla extract. Stir in flour mixture; fold in zucchini. Spread into prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining morsels over top + a little more coarse sea salt (I like to use the black lava kind on top).

4. BAKE for 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Lift brownies from pan; cut into 16 squares. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.

Whole-Wheat Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies recipe

 

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Whole-Wheat Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 16
 
The dark chocolate in these brownies make them rich and delicious. The zucchini adds moisture, and you'll never even taste it!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup white whole-wheat flour
  • ⅓ cup baking cocoa
  • 1¼ teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • 1 regular-size package dark chocolate morsels
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups grated zucchini (about 3 medium)
Instructions
  1. PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Line 9-inch-square baking pan with foil.
  2. COMBINE flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in medium bowl.
  3. MELT 1 cup morsels in large, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Stir in oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg whites and vanilla extract. Stir in flour mixture; fold in zucchini. Spread into prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining morsels over top + a little more coarse sea salt (I like to use the black lava kind on top).
  4. BAKE for 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Lift brownies from pan; cut into 16 squares. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.
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National Linguine Day + Wine Pairing

National Linguine Day + Wine Pairing

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Pesto Linguine with Green Beans & Artichoke Hearts recipe
Photo by Buitoni

I love to try to incorporate as many vegetables as possible into my meals – after all, how many of us actually get the recommended dose of veggies at each meal? So when I found out about National Linguine Day, I decided to find some linguine + vegetable recipes, and also try pairing wine with them.

Well, I found 2 great recipes – super easy version and look-like-a-chef version – plus 1 great wine to go with them both. Both recipes use one of my favorite vegetables, artichoke, which is a difficult food to pair with wine, but what wine goes with artichoke, pesto, green beans and lemon? I found the winning varietal…read below to find out!

Super Easy Version: Pesto Linguine with Green Beans & Artichoke Hearts

Recipe by Buitoni

Ingredients for 4 servings:

  • 1 package (9 ounces) Linguine
  • 1 1/4 cups fresh green beans, cut in half
  • 1 container (7 ounces) Pesto with Basil
  • 3/4 cup artichoke hearts, quartered
  • Pinch of ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan Cheese
  • Fresh basil sprigs (optional)

Directions:

PREPARE pasta according to package directions, cooking green beans with pasta; drain. Transfer pasta and beans to large serving bowl; toss with pesto, artichoke hearts and pepper. Sprinkle with cheese. Garnish with basil.
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Pesto Linguine with Green Beans & Artichoke Hearts
Author: 
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 2
 
Add color to your plate with this simple recipe for BUITONI Fettuccine with Peas, Leeks and Thyme. Using fresh or frozen peas and leeks, this understated pasta dish will become your new go-to recipe. Serve with a thin slice of crisp bread.
Ingredients
  • 1 package Refrigerated Linguine (9 oz.)
  • 1¼ cups fresh green beans
  • 1 container Refrigerated Pesto with Basil (7 oz.)
  • ¾ cup artichoke hearts
  • Pinch of ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons freshly shredded Parmesan cheese (5 oz.)
  • Fresh basil sprigs
Instructions
  1. PREPARE pasta according to package directions, cooking green beans with pasta; drain. Transfer pasta and beans to large serving bowl; toss with pesto, artichoke hearts and pepper. Sprinkle with cheese. Garnish with basil.
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Linguine with Lemon and Grilled Baby Artichokes recipe
Photo by Buitoni

Look-Like-a-Chef Version: Linguine with Lemon and Grilled Baby Artichokes

Recipe by Buitoni

Ingredients for 4 servings:

  • 1 1/2 cups fresh, frozen or canned baby artichokes or artichoke hearts, tossed in 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 package (9 ounces) Linguine
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon each salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • shredded Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

PREHEAT grill.

GRILL artichokes over medium heat until lightly browned. Alternatively, place on baking sheet, cut-side-up and position 6 inches from broiler. Broil for about 3 minutes or until lightly browned.

BRING water to a boil in large pot; add linguine. Cook for 1 minute. Drain, reserving ¼ cup cooking water.

HEAT oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; cook for 1 minute or until fragrant (the garlic should not brown). Stir in wine and cook for about 4 minutes or until slightly reduced. Add lemon juice, lemon peel, parsley, chives, tarragon, salt and pepper; cook for about 1 minute or until mixture is heated through.

ADD cooked linguine to skillet along with reserved cooking water and Parmesan cheese. Toss gently to coat. Toss in artichoke hearts. Serve immediately with additional extra virgin olive oil and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Verdicchio with artichokes

 

Wine Pairing: Verdicchio

You need a wine with high acidity to pair with artichokes and something from Italy to match the food style. And a white wine since it’s a late summer dinner, pretty light with green vegetables and plenty of freshness. A Verdicchio is perfect for this! It’s crisp and snappy, matching the acidity of the artichokes and lemon, and creating some summer sizzle in your mouth. A last hurrah to the sun.