Subtitle #2: How to turn your microwave into a double boiler
When you read food blogs enough, you notice when recipes go viral. Ever since Baked (a bakery in Brooklyn) released this cookbook I had seen their brownie recipe touted all over the blogosphere. Claimed far and wide to be the best brownie ever, it was only a matter of time until I made it.
After reading the ingredient list, I was satisfied I could successfully recreate the brownie in my own kitchen. The ingredients aren't particularly different than what you would expect in a brownie: flour, sugar, eggs etc. It has both cocoa powder and chocolate, and intense flavorings like instant espresso powder and vanilla. I gathered all the ingredients one evening and began by preheating the oven, buttering the pan and mixing the dry ingredients together. Everything was going smoothly. That is, until I realized I needed a double boiler to melt the chocolate and butter. The only bowls we have are plastic, and thus obviously not suited to being put over a pot of simmering water. Never one to be stopped en route to brownies, I decided to try out the microwave. I crammed all the chocolate, butter and espresso powder into a 2 cup glass measuring cup and zapped it for 25 seconds, stirred, and repeated multiple times until everything was melted and smooth. I went slowly because I was afraid of burning the chocolate. When it was done, I poured it over the sugars in a bowl and proceeded with the recipe.
