Small Man’s latest passion is Gin Rummy.
I’ve had great fun playing with him – we try to sneak in a game whenever we can find a spare moment. It reminds me of university, when we used to play a hand of cards in the five minutes between lectures.
Today, he was keen to play before school, but I needed to bake a large batch of brownies and time was short. As I often do when I’m in a rush, I made Nick Malgieri’s supernatural brownies. These use two mixing bowls, a whisk and a spatula – there’s no need to drag out the Kenwood or KitchenAid.
Out of curiosity, I set the timer to see how long the whole process would take. There was no cheating – I included the time it took to get the ingredients out of the fridge and pantry, line the baking tray and preheat the oven. Of course, I had everything on hand – I didn’t have to run down to the shops for butter, or harass the chickens (when I make chocolate mousse and want super-fresh eggs, I’ve been known to stand by their coop and implore them to lay).
All up, from start to putting the baking pan in the oven, the process took a leisurely 13 minutes and 25 seconds, excluding washing up. It then needed another 35 minutes of baking time (but only got 30) and time to cool on the bench before slicing. Mine were a little undercooked today, as I had to pull them out early as we were leaving for school. They’re slightly less set than I would have liked, although they did firm up as they cooled (top photo). Pete’s just told me he prefers them this way!
I’m sure I have faster brownie recipes – some of the saucepan brownies are particularly speedy – but this recipe makes a large quantity, which was specifically what I was after today. Best of all, everyone loves them, and Small Man and I managed two hands of gin rummy before school!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Oh- you have brought back memories of my youngest son’s middle school days. We would play gin rummy in any convenient moment- and many inconvenient ones as well!
Those brownies look divine- I like them a little gooey in the middle and these are perfect!
Only the two of us down here- so I’ll wait till I get home to make these!
“…I’ve been known to stand by their coop and implore them to lay.” You silly, silly Celia. :)
How delicious. I wish I was eating one right now.
You are a Speedy Gonzales in the kitchen Celia! Arriba Arriba Andale Andale :-)
Celia I’m just like that but with a nerdy twist. I time myself then next time I have to beat that time!
I don’t mind a hand of cards, myself. I used to play Canasta quite a bit in my younger days, but The Husband refuses to oblige and won’t play cards at all. :-(
Have you tried Rummikub? Its like the card game, but you use little tiles instead, anyway it’s lots of fun too.
I like to know exactly how long things take too, it’s nice to know where you stand and what you can acheive in a set amount of time. Good looking brownies too! Yumm…
Supernatural Brownies do indeed look supergood. You should rename them The 13 Minute Brownies. Very pleased you are eating chocolate mousse too – with RAW yolks!!
Sounds perfect! Maybe the name for a new blog? Gin Rummy and Brownies – makes your life sound so leisurely and I know that it is anything but…I played cards all the time as a kid, Black Maria, Swedish Stop Patience, a particular mean 2-handed game (small devil emoticon)
and timing the process, that’s a good idea. I always wince when I read the suggested times for cooking things. I think that’s why I like bread, fewer ingredients to go and collect! I think muffins are the fastest cake thing I have made and the delectable amaretti of course, you put me onto those and now my sister makes all manner of variations with different nuts, she gives them to her gluten free friends!
xx Joanna
Gin Rummy: ah, well done. You studied properly. Some students played hands *during* lectures.
Looks like heaven! I’m going to try making fudge for the first time this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed!
Maz.
Thank you all!
Heidi, Small Man’s starting to beat me at gin rummy, it’s a worry.. :)
Sandy, the girls just don’t listen to me! “Please hurry up! People are coming tonight, and I need a large fresh egg now!” :)
Deb, wish I could share one with you now, because then I’d be in Italy..hahaha ;-)
Gill, it really didn’t feel that rushed, but it’s nice to have a handle on how long it takes so I can know when we’re expecting visitors! :)
Claire, you try and beat your time every time? Hehehe…I reckon I’d stress myself out! I guess they can do it on Masterchef though.. ;-)
Amanda, Becca, never played canasta or rummikub – Becca, I’ve never even heard of the latter, I shall have to google it! :)
Anna, I’m very fussy, my raw yolks almost have to still be warm out of the chicken! :)
Joanna, Swedish Stop Patience? Sounds brutal – for some reason I had a vision of cowboys in a saloon playing with their shootin’ irons on the table.. ;-) Glad everyone loves the amaretti – they’re very delish!
Peter, actually, I played Five Hundred. Gin Rummy was played with my mum and sis as we were growing up! Um…did I ever play during lectures? No…but I might have played instead of going to lectures occasionally… ;-)
Maz, good luck! Fudge is triiiiicky… :)
Celia, you’ll be the death of me. Not only another brownie recipe, but now I’ve seen these I want some brownies.I’m with Pete though, I like them squidgy and undercooked is so much better than over cooked. I seem to overcook mine on a fairly regular basis :(
LOL, my aunt calls it ‘squeezing the chooks’ when she has to wait for eggs….
I reckon two hands of cards before school, has got to start the day off really well, relaxed and ready to start the day, (especially if he’s starting to beat mum ;-). Did he get to sample any before school as well?
wow…. a speedy brownie recipe if ever I saw one. I’ve never timed myself like this…. but then again I’m not a busy Mom dashing about & feeding a family either. I think I like brownies a bit soft too… just sayin’ :)
Choc, I know you’re with Pete on the squidgy thing, and you’re so right – nothing worse than an overcooked brownie! But for sharing around, a little bit more set can be advantageous! (Not that I can convince Pete) :)
Clare, I try to bribe them. I stand at the coop and coo at them, and say things like, “if you give me an egg soon, darling, I’ll bring you some nice yummy salmon..” ;-)
Brydie, no, the brownies came out just as we were heading out the door, so he had to wait until he came home that arvo. But two hands of cards before school I reckon is about as a good a start to the day as you could ask for! :)
Anna, I bet you cook at a hundred miles an hour, you’re the original Energiser bunny, girl! :)
There goes the diet (again).