There's nothing health food-ish about the Moist Brownie recipe posted here yesterday. The few left after my husband found them are calling my name from the kitchen. I might succumb.
So what's thoughtful or responsible about knock-yer-socks-off sugar- and fat-loaded brownies?
First, there is the cost. Brownies thrown together from pantry staples -- sugar, cocoa, oil, eggs -- cost a fraction of what you'd pay for a box of brand-name brownie mix.
Second, there are those wholesome pantry staples mixed into the brownies and all the preservatives, enhancers, emulsifiers, gums, partially hydrogenated fats, high fructose corn syrups and bleached flours that are not mixed in.
Third, homemade brownies have a smaller carbon footprint due to less packaging, processing and shipping of ingredients and the packaged product.
Yet another consideration is time and convenience. When the pantry is well stocked and the chocolate craving hits, there's no need to run out to the Quickie Mart, because everything needed is already on hand. You can bake only the amount you want, altering the ingredients any way you want. Then the bowl, spoon and spatula go into the dishwasher, you swipe the counter with a dishrag, and walk away satisfied.
The American cook has been fooled into thinking that convenience comes wrapped in a box. We've been trained to discount the time, effort and energy spent in driving to stores, pushing carts through endless aisles and standing in frustrating lines. Compared with the ease and convenience of keeping a reliable stock of staples on hand (and eliminating stuff you don't need) boxed mixes and packaged heat-and-serve imitation foods are no bargain at all.Thoughtful cooking with plenty of enjoyment -- that's a really good deal.
copyright Starr Luteri 2009
So what's thoughtful or responsible about knock-yer-socks-off sugar- and fat-loaded brownies?
First, there is the cost. Brownies thrown together from pantry staples -- sugar, cocoa, oil, eggs -- cost a fraction of what you'd pay for a box of brand-name brownie mix.
Second, there are those wholesome pantry staples mixed into the brownies and all the preservatives, enhancers, emulsifiers, gums, partially hydrogenated fats, high fructose corn syrups and bleached flours that are not mixed in.
Third, homemade brownies have a smaller carbon footprint due to less packaging, processing and shipping of ingredients and the packaged product.
Yet another consideration is time and convenience. When the pantry is well stocked and the chocolate craving hits, there's no need to run out to the Quickie Mart, because everything needed is already on hand. You can bake only the amount you want, altering the ingredients any way you want. Then the bowl, spoon and spatula go into the dishwasher, you swipe the counter with a dishrag, and walk away satisfied.
The American cook has been fooled into thinking that convenience comes wrapped in a box. We've been trained to discount the time, effort and energy spent in driving to stores, pushing carts through endless aisles and standing in frustrating lines. Compared with the ease and convenience of keeping a reliable stock of staples on hand (and eliminating stuff you don't need) boxed mixes and packaged heat-and-serve imitation foods are no bargain at all.Thoughtful cooking with plenty of enjoyment -- that's a really good deal.
1 Write Your Comment:
I'll second that! But you also missed a benefit. You have to really want them bad enough to go through making them so you know you aren't just reaching for the brownies (or whatever) just because you bought a box at the store while you were there. And it never hurts that I often kill my sweet tooth before they are cooked by licking the bowl and spoon. *lol*
"Never trust a skinny cook"
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