L's Turn

I'm not the only one QEing this quarter. Kungfuramone passed his exams yesterday (the 12th), and today L goes before his committee. In History, we do a lot of writing, submit a dossier to our committee and then get asked questions on what we've submitted and where we stand historiographically. We are responsible for positioning ourselves "in the field" (aka proving that you've read a whole lot of stuff that will technically establish your expertise in your field and hence your ability to teach the kiddies), producing syllabi, and putting together a dissertation proposal. The entire process is closed.

In Engineering, the focus is mainly on the dissertation proposal and on the research you've actually been doing for the last few years. L has to do a one hour presentation, which is open to the public. Following a Q&A, the committee kicks everyone out of the room and hones in on the candidate. I'm looking forward to sitting in support during Luke's presentation and wish we had a public part to our exams. I think it's helpful to find out what other people are actually doing and support your colleagues.

Besides from the "good-partner" type stuff I can do to help him prep (which so far has included keeping us fed and doing the kitchen cleaning last night), I'm contributing a bit of my best: baking. We are "expected" to bring food to our committee and I'm supporting L by doing my part and making brownies. I know it's SC, but they're totally sober brownies. In fact, in true grad fashion, there's about 3 T of very strong coffee in the frosting.

First, the brownies. Noncouplable will recognize this recipe from last year's bake off, with a few changes. Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa powder is a wonderful, wonderful product that I saw in North Carolina in 05, but didn't' see here until this past weekend. The inclusion of this very dark cocoa powder is the main change.

I use Hershey's "Best Brownie" recipe (small batch size). This produces an excellent, moist, fudgy, brownie. I generally double the recipe and bake in two pans (combining into one 9x13 pan results in overcooking).

I top these brownies with a mocha frosting while they are still a bit warm. It allows the frosting to melt a bit and then solidfy into a nice glaze. (This is a modification of a Hershey recipe)
Hershey's Best Brownie
Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa (I used Hershey's Special Dark cocoa)
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts(optional) (I did not add these)
CREAMY BROWNIE FROSTING(recipe follows) (I did not use the frosting)
as per Jessica's alterations, I also added about 2 tbsp of Hershey's Chocolate Syrup and about 1/3 cup of semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 9-inch square baking pan.

2. Stir together butter, sugar and vanilla in bowl. Add eggs; beat well with spoon. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to egg mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in nuts, if desired. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.

3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Prepare CREAMY BROWNIE FROSTING; spread over brownies. Cut into squares. About 16 brownies.


Kelly's Mocha Brownie Frosting

Ingredients:
3 T butter, softened
1T honey
3T cocoa powder
1tsp-1T vanilla
1-3T coffee (or milk, for a straight chocolate frosting)
1-2 cups powdered sugar

1. Beat butter with honey. Add cocoa powder and vanilla and beat well.
2. Slowly bead in powdered sugar, alternating with coffee or milk. Add sugar to desired consistency and taste.
3. Spread over brownies when then are still slightly warm


It's also good on peanut butter cookies....