Black Bean Brownies

I asked a room full of people what they thought the "secret" ingredient in these brownies were. No one could guess. Well, that's only half true - someone guessed banana, which is true, but that wasn't the ingredient I was looking for.

These brownies are really, really good. And really good for you (fiber, protein, chocolate - I mean, come on). And they are super easy.

Basically, the recipe looks like this:

• 1 can black beans (15 oz)
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbs agave nectar or 1/4 cup sugar (or a mixture of the two)
• 1 large, very ripe banana
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts/1/4 instant coffee/1/4 cup oats (all optional - I used nuts in this recipe)

Preheat the oven to 350

Put all of the ingredients (except the nuts) into the food processor and blend until smooth. I drained the beans but then realized I needed a little more liquid so feel free to add about 1/6-1/4 a can of water back into the mix.

Mix in the nuts/optional ingredients and pour into a greased 8X8 pan.

Place in the oven for about 30 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them because they will continue to bake and firm up after you remove them from the oven. But don't undercook them either. This is a science, people.

ALTERNATE RECIPE FOR A LAZY PERSON/A PERSON WITH LIMITED TIME

• 1 can black beans (15 oz - drained and rinsed and then can refilled with water)
• 1 large, ripe banana
• 1 box brownie mix - try this one, it's good:

• 1/4 cup chopped nuts/1/4 instant coffee/1/4 cup oats (all optional - I used nuts in this recipe)

Follow all the steps from "Preheat oven to 350"

It's just like the first recipe - only easier.






Cheers! And try to make people guess what the ingredient is - unless they have had these brownies before I bet they won't be able to :)


Live long and prosper.