It's a great time on Ibiza for an indulgent comfort food recipe; the weather has taken a rather dramatic turn to the cold. And with Christmas just around the corner it's time to start thinking about Christmas gifts. I can't think of a better fireplace food or welcome Christmas treat than chocolate brownies. Everybody loves them.
This is especially true of what, in my estimation, are the World's Best Brownies. I consider my self an expert, I am American, the origin of the dessert, and I have an a life-long addiction to chocolate and in particular chocolate brownies. That should qualify me to make the judgement or at least the Best Chocolate Brownies in the World of all that I have ever tasted. Seriously. And I include my own.
And it is not only my opinion; it seems to be common Island knowledge. I have mentioned the ultimate brownie to several people, (embarrassingly, most of my social conversation is around food) and the reply is invariably,
“Yeah, I know, they are the BEST!”
or some version thereof. Apparently, there are even dinner invitations from friends centred around the hope of receiving a batch. And I wouldn't put them on the table to share if it were my party. I would secret them away for post party clean up and breakfast the next morning. They are that good.
The recipe for these, the Best in World, comes as a gift from my friend Mitch, the fabulous and glamorous Ibiza gal about Island and Ibiza Sonica Radio presenter for WINGING IT - a weekly show she presents with John Beach and/or guest DJs which have included Tom Crane, Idris Elba, Chris Bones, Mel Blatt (All Saints) to name a few. A gift because after perfecting and working out variations and years of declining to give out her secret, even to her best friends, it debuts here. Just in time for Christmas party season.
I got the opportunity to visit Mitch at her gorgeous home in the hills of St. Jose for a cup of tea, brownie tasting and a chat about where she learned to cook. As it turns out, I got so caught up in her story, I forgot to ask about the cooking!
Interestingly, the Sonica gig is not random. Mitch is a music lady with serious credentials and seriously fabulous stories. She comes from the Land Down Under, with an English Grandfather who inspired her love of music and a real interest in life in London. At 22 years old, she arrived with a friend to a Bayswater bedsit. And from there to the stars, literally. After nine years at EMI, ending as VP, International Promotion and Artist Relations, she managed the Pet Shop Boys and then on to Sanctuary Music Management as VP for the Urban Division, working closely with Beyonce, Destiny's Child, Kelis, Chaka Khan and many more.
Ten years ago, attracted by the peacefulness of the Campo, the eccentricity of the people and the rhythm of the music, she bought her Ibiza home, Villa Bes, sight unseen. Now renovated, it is the core of her business. As for music, she knows lots of people and has lots of friends she helps out time to time with hospitality and promotion. Islanders know if you hear about it from Mitch, the party and music will be fabulous.
As for the photos of Mitch, and DJs Tom Crane and Alex 99 in the Sonica studio, that morning was a blast. I love her job and I look forward to seeing her again soon, I hope she will come to dinner.
The Best Chocolate Brownies in the World!
We both guarantee these brownies will not fail to please!
Mitch's Note and Recipe: I first discovered this simple-to-make-and-super-indulgent chocolate brownie recipe a few years ago from a book lent to me by a friend but for the life of me cannot remember which friend or which book! However, I quickly adopted the recipe and have enjoyed experimenting with many different variations ever since. The trick is to get a nice sugary crust on top and a gooey almost fudge-like centre which is what this recipe delivers beautifully.
Ingredients
300 grams dark chocolate (use the best quality with the highest content of coco you can afford)
5 cups caster sugar
275 grams salted butter
5 large eggs (room temperature)
1 cup plain flour
1 tablespoon vanilla essence
1 tablespoon baking powder
Method
Pre-heat oven at 180 degrees.
Prepare a good size (deep) baking tray and line with grease-proof paper.
Melt chocolate and butter over a low heat.
In a separate and good size bowl mix eggs and sugar until light in colour, nice and creamy.
Allow melted chocolate and butter mix to cool for a few minutes before
adding to the egg and sugar mix.
Add flour, baking powder, vanilla essence and any other ingredients you'd like
to add to the brownie such as nuts, zest of an orange (and the juice), coconut, cranberries, raisins soaked in brandy, ground coffee, anything you fancy. Mix well.
Pour ingredients into baking tray and pop in the middle of the oven and bake for 50 minutes.
Allow to cool well before removing the brownies from the tray, sprinkle with icing sugar (and a good quality ground coffee if you fancy). slice into small pieces and enjoy!
Stored in airtight container in the fridge. Suitable for freezing, too.
NB: Licking the bowl is essential!
Tune into Mitch at Ibiza Sonica Radio on Fridays between 11:00 to 12:00 CET www.ibizasonica.com 95.2 fm.
