Recipe: Real Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits

First off, if you haven't been scared away by the title yet, congratulations! When most people hear about chocolate gravy, they think it'll be disgusting, like it's a regular brown or white gravy but with cocoa mixed in. Don't be afraid! It's delicious! It's a sweet, thickened chocolate sauce used in the same way real gravy is: on biscuits! (or sausage, or bacon, or a spoon...)

A quick google search will pull up a good handful of recipes for southern chocolate gravy. But many of these, I've found, are time consuming or laden with extra ingredients. Half the reason chocolate gravy became so predominant in my family was because you didn't need much time or material to make it. Anybody who's made biscuits and gravy from scratch know what a time consuming process that is. So, I'm going to teach you (just like my great-grandma taught my grandma, who taught my grandma, who taught my mom, who taught me) how to make real southern chocolate gravy.

Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 4 tablespoons cocoa
- 8 to 12 oz water (12 for runny, 8 for thick)

What to Do
1. Mix dry ingredients in medium saucepan until combined.
2. Turn heat on medium/high.
3. Slowly pour in water, stirring well to combine.
4. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer, stirring occasionally until desired thickness is acquired.
* It usually doesn't take long after reaching a boil for the gravy to be done.

 There seems to be two methods of eating chocolate gravy and every person clings to their own. One is breaking up your biscuit and pouring the gravy over the top. The other is keeping your biscuits whole and doing the same. I'm a biscuit ripper myself.

My papa also adds butter to his gravy after it's on his plate. Makes it EXTRA rich if you prefer. ;)

That's it! This makes the best tasting and easiest chocolate gravy. This recipe makes any breakfast (or frequently, lunch and dinner) instantly fun! You'll feel like you're eating dessert and who doesn't want that? It's been in my family for generations and is loved by most who try it (except my brother, who I'm disowning for the purposes of this post). So don't be afraid to whip some up and dig in!

2 Ingredient Healthy FUDGY Brownies!!!

Really, I shouldn't have even put healthy in the name. Not that they aren't, but people head for the hills when they see that because it means one of two things...

1. It'll be disgusting.

2. There'll be so many ingredients to make it, it's not worth the hassle or price.

Well, ladies and gents I'm here to show you the light. 

BLACK BEAN BROWNIES.

This isn't breaking news as I'm sure you've seen a pinterest recipe for them before. But I've tried several tweaks and found the perfect way of making the best, FUDGY (yes, I said fudgy) black bean brownies!

Right, then. 

Step 1: Dig out a can of black beans I'm sure you have kickin' around your cabinets. Procure a box of your favorite brownie mix while you're at it. 

But wait! Here's the secret to the fudge: DARK chocolate brownie mix. Here I have regular Duncan Hines but if you really wanna go for it, the best I've used is Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix.  What happens is the rich dark cocoa better masks the protein-y flavor of the black beans and tends to make a fudgier brownie.

Step 2: Open the can and drain and rinse your beans. REALLY WELL. Then, fill that can of beans to the top with water.

3: Put the bean/water mixture into your blender (or just pulverize by hand if you need some stress relief) and blend for about a minute until nice and smooth - no chunks of beans.

4. Dump your boxed mix into a bowl and add the bean purée. That's all you add! No butter, eggs, oil, etc. Just protein and water!

5. Stir to combine and pour into a greased baking pan. Cook brownies based on the directions right on your brownie mix box. 

So, I don't have a picture of the finished product because the whole pan was literally devoured upon escaping the oven. They're that good. I've given these to people without telling them what was in them and they've never questioned me. They love them! Some don't to be honest, as there is a different taste compared to sugary, oily brownies but it isn't a bad thing. The best part is, they're a source of fiber and protein and come in at around 160 calories per brownie! If you really wanna kick it up a notch, stir in a cup of your favorite chocolate chips/baking chips to amp up the flavor and indulgence! For the holidays, I'm thinking of adding some caramel filled Hershey's Kisses to the party! 

Oh, and here's something frightening to consider.

FORTY. THREE. DAYS. UNTIL. CHRISTMAS. 

;P