Lucca Cafe's Brownies

Brownies:

1/2 pound bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 pound salted butter
5 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 1/2 tablespoons instant coffee
3 3/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups plus 2 1/2 tablespoons (7 ounces) flour
1 cup chopped walnut pieces

Line 2 (9-inch) square baking pans with foil, and grease the foil. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, combine the bittersweet chocolate and butter, stirring frequently until melted and combined. Remove from heat and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat the eggs, vanilla and almond extracts, coffee and sugar over high speed until combined and the mixture increases in volume (it will look almost like softened ice cream), 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the mixer.

Beat in the melted chocolate and butter over low speed just until combined. Add the flour and nuts and stir just until incorporated.

Pour the batter into the pans, dividing evenly between the 2 pans. Bake the brownies until barely set: A crust will form on top, and a toothpick inserted will be very gooey (though not wet like the batter), 20 to 25 minutes.

Remove the brownies and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate the brownies (still in the pans) for at least 6 hours to chill and fully set.
--------------------------------------------------------
Ganache and Assembly:

6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons milk
7 1/2 tablespoons salted butter
Prepared brownies
4 ounces white chocolate

Place the bittersweet chocolate in a large bowl.

In a large saucepan, combine the cream, milk and butter and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat. Pour the mixture over the chocolate and stir until the chocolate is melted and combined with the cream mixture, forming a ganache.

Remove the chilled brownies from the refrigerator, and invert the pans over a cooling rack set over a large rimmed baking sheet (the sheet will catch the excess ganache when it is poured over the brownies). Peel the foil liner away from the brownies.

Pour the ganache over the brownies, making sure it covers the tops of both batches (do not worry about the sides, as these will be trimmed when the brownies are cut).

Set the brownies aside to allow the ganache to cool and set.

Melt the white chocolate (place it in a glass container and heat it in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds or so, until completely melted). Place the white chocolate in a piping bag, coronet or a sealable plastic bag (after the chocolate is added to the bag, trim one of the tips to the desired size to make a makeshift piping bag).

Streak the brownies with the white chocolate, then set them aside to give the white chocolate time to harden.

Trim the edges from the brownies, then cut the brownies into squares; each pan makes about 9 (3-inch) squares.

Servings: 18 brownies

Cheesecake Factory White Chicken Chili

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Canola Oil
4 pounds Diced chicken breast, uncooked
1 Tbsp Cumin
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
1 Tbsp Salt
2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
2 fl oz Canola oil
2 oz Butter
12 oz Yellow onions, 1/4 inch dice
2 Tbsp Chopped garlic
2 oz Roasted poblanos chilis, 1/4 inch dice
1 oz Green chili, 1/4 inch dice
3 oz Flour
8 cups Chicken Stock
1/4 cup Salsa verde
1 Tbsp Chili garlic paste
1 Tbsp Chipotle tobasco
1 cup Heavy cream
2 cups White beans, cooked
Pico de gallo garnish
White Rice garnish
Green onions garnish

Procedures:
Heat canola oil in large sauté or braising pan.

Combine chicken and spices in mixing bowl.

Lightly brown the chicken cooking until about 3/4 done. Remove chicken and set aside.

Heat additional oil and butter in pan. Sauté onions until translucent.

Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Add the poblanos and green chilis.

Add the flour, stir to incorporate, and cook for 2 minutes.

Add the chicken stock a little at a time, and slowly whip out the lumps.

Add the salsa verde, chili garlic paste, and chipotle tabasco.

Allow to come back to a simmer and add the chicken back into the pan.

Simmer for 5 minutes and add the cream and white beans stir to incorporate.

Serve and garnish with rice and with pico de gallo and green onions.

Serves 4

Lunch's Green Apple Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cooked boneless and skinless chicken breasts,  diced (a generous 2 cups)
2 small celery stalks, cut into small dice
1/2 red onion, cut into very small dice
1/2 green apple, cored and cut into medium dice
1/3 cup currants (raisins may be substituted)
Salt and pepper, if desired

Procedures:
In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, cider vinegar and Dijon mustard to form a dressing.

To the bowl, add the chicken, celery, onion, apple and currants. Toss everything together, taste and adjust the seasoning if desired. Chill before serving. This makes about 1 quart chicken salad.

Serves 4 to 6