Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup/175 mL  black beans – drained and pureed
• 3 tbsp/45 mL  butter, melted- combine with beans
• 2  large eggs
• 1/4 tsp/1 mL  vanilla
• 1/2 cup/120 mL sugar
• 6 tbsp/90 mL  cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup/60 mL  all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp/2 mL  baking powder
• 3 tbsp/45 mL  walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160° C). Spray 8x8 pan.
2. Using a collider, thoroughly drain beans until water runs clear. Let excess water drain off while measuring out other ingredients.
3. Purée beans and add butter to 3/4 cup of beans.
4. Combine cocoa, flour and baking powder.
5. Beat eggs, vanilla and sugar until well mixed.
6. Add cocoa mixture. Combine
7. Add bean and butter mixture.  Stir till all ingredients are mixed.
8. Spoon batter into prepared ban. Bake 13-15 minutes. Do not over bake. Cool and remove.
9. Serve topped with Heeman's Raspberry Sauce.

Chocolate hearts or shavings for Valentine's:

• In a heatproof bowl, melt chocolate, bittersweet, milk or white chocolate over hot (not boiling) water. Line baking sheet with parchment paper; spread chocolate to 1/8-inch (3 mm) thickness on paper. Refrigerate until just firm, about 8 minutes.  Using a heart shaped cookie cutter, cut out hearts. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.
• If pressed for time, simply shave chocolate onto waxed paper using a vegetable peeler and sprinkle on top.