Cora & Pate's Guinness Brownies

We think that fudgey chocolate brownies infused with Guinness are the perfect St. Patty's Day dessert.  They are O'-so-delicious!  

Ingredients

• 1 cup Guinness Extra Stout
• 10 T. (1 1/4 sticks butter) 
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup plus 2 T. unsweetened cocoa 
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1/4 t. cinnamon
• 2 t. vanilla
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 3/4 cup flour
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans, optional
• Powder sugar for dusting

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place the Guinness in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook until reduced by half.  Stir the butter into the Guinness.  Add the sugar and whisk until dissolved.  Add the cocoa. salt and cinnamon.  Whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and cool slightly.  Stir in the vanilla and eggs. Add the flour and stir until smooth. Add the pecans, if desired. Combine.  Pour the batter into a greased 8x8 baking pan.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Cool.  Dust with powdered sugar.  Cut into squares.

Masters' Classic Pimento Cheese Sandwich

Whether you're headed to Augusta next month for the Masters Golf Tournament, or simply headed to the living room as a TV spectator, a Masters-Style Pimento Cheese Sandwich is in order. Our Southern Sisters recipe is a classic - on or off the green!

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. white sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 lb. yellow sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 (7 oz) jar diced pimentos
• 1 1/4 cup Duke's mayonnaise
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• White bread slices

Directions

Your Guide To Edible Flowers

Nothing says springtime in the south like the burst of colorful flowers that appear just as the weather gets warm. If you’re like me, then you love to bring a sampling of nature inside to brighten up your home after a long winter. What you may not know, is that many of these beautiful creations can be used to top off your favorite dishes as well! As garden party season arrives, surprise your guests with their favorite edible flowers on their plate, instead of in a vase!

Flowers can be a delicious and beautiful edition to many dishes, but if done improperly can be dangerous. Follow the safety tips below.

Edible Flower Safety Tips:

1. Be sure you are eating the correct flower. Some flowers can look similar but are unsafe to eat.
2. Use organic flowers. Many garden shops use harmful pesticides you don’t want to consume.
3. Wash your flowers before you eat them!
4. For many of the edible flowers, you will only want to eat the petals and avoid the rest. Do some research if you are unsure.

There are many kinds of edible flowers but I’ve included a sample of my favorites that I think most readers will find both beautiful and easily accessible.

Want some ideas for flower friendly dishes? Check out the sampling below!

Salad - Sprinkle in some edible flowers for a fresh spin on your favorite spring salad.

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Cake – No need for sugary sprinkles or icings! Top your baked goods with a colorful combination of edible flowers for the perfect dessert centerpiece

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Ice cubes – Freeze some edible flowers in ice cube trays to liven up your water glass

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Have fun experimenting this spring and summer! Comment with pictures of your own edible flower dishes below!

Cora & Pate's Easy Chocolate Ganache

This recipe is a must-have for any chocolate addict! Chocolate ganache can be used as a base for almost any chocolate dessert you can think of: truffles, torts, frosting, hot chocolate, cake, the list goes on. Add it as a topping to your favorite desserts, stir a spoonful into your morning coffee, or dip some fruit (or maybe your finger?) in its warm chocolatey goodness and feel the stress melt away!

NOTE: While standard semisweet chocolate chips are perfectly delicious and acceptable in this recipe, specialty chocolate (chips, bars, or chunks) with 50-65% percent cocoa will give your ganache a heavenly complex flavor. 

Now, ready to start cooking?

Ingredients

• 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate (chips, morsels, or chopped bars)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 T. butter
• 2 T strong brewed coffee
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 pinch salt

Directions

1. Place cream and butter in a small sauce pan and warm over medium-low heat until the butter is melted and the cream is warmed throughout and steaming.

2. Stir in the coffee, salt, and vanilla.

3. Place the chocolate chips in a large mixing bowl and pour the warm cream mixture over it.

4. Allow to stand for 3-5 minutes to soften the chocolate. Whisk briskly to combine until smooth.