Dark Chocolate Brownies with Dark Chocolate Tangerine Ganache

December 28, 2011

Brownie Ingredients:

1/2 cup California Arbosana EVOO
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Brownie Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, mix together the olive oil, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in eggs. Combine flour, cocoa baking powder, and salt; gradually stir into the egg mixture until well blended. Stir in walnuts, if desired. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the brownie begins to pull away from edges of pan. Let cool on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

Ganache Ingredients:

9 ounces best quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons Tangerine Balsamic Vinegar
2" long strip tangerine zest
a pinch of kosher salt - optional

Ganache Directions:

Place the chocolate into a medium bowl. Heat the cream, salt, and tangerine zest in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring just to a bare simmer, watching very carefully so does not boil out of pot and scorch. When the cream has come to a simmer, remove the zest, pour over the chopped chocolate, and whisk until smooth. Stir in the Tangerine Balsamic. Allow the ganache to cool, looking for a spreadable consistency before frosting the brownies. Start at the center of the brownies and work outward.