Everyone should keep a mother.

My mom came to visit on Monday, for a month.

Since Monday,

my family has been well-fed

my house has been well-kept

my sanity has been well-preserved.

I’m sure she’ll be ready to give us up in a month, but for now I’m just enjoying it.

Here’s what we made on Wednesday. Like?

When I grow up, I want to be just like a mother.

Happy Mother’s Day, dear friends.

There’s no name for it (it was part of Food Network mag’s “name that recipe” contest). The contest deadline is over but can you come up with something, for fun?

The original recipe had peanuts instead and we added pb chips and mac nuts instead. It was crying out for something obvious like “rocky road brownies”. I think our version is better.

Brownies with stuffs on top (adapted very slightly from Food Network Magazine)

Printable version

• 1/2 Cup plus 2 Tbsp butter
• 6 oz dark chocolate, chopped (we used 7 oz)
• 2 Cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 Cup good quality dark unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 eggs, cold
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 Cup flour
• 1 Cup mini marshmallows
• 1 Cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 Cup peanut butter chips
• 3/4 Cup macadamia nuts, toasted

1. Line a 8x8 inch metal baking pan with foil. Butter the insides and dust with flour, shaking out to remove the excess. Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a glass bowl, melt the butter and chocolate in the microwave. First microwave for 1 minute, stir, then microwave for 30 seconds, stir again. Microwave for 30 seconds more and stir again, making sure the chocolate is all melted and incorporated fully).
3. Stir in the sugar, cocoa and salt with a wooden spoon until shiny. Mix until very well combined.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring well to combine each time.
5. Stir in the flour, just until incorporated.
6. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for about 30 minutes—check by poking it with a toothpick and it’s done if it comes out mostly clean—just a few crumbs clinging to it. Remove from the oven and top with the marshmallows, chocolate and peanut butter chips, and mac nuts. Return to the oven for 5 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then lift it out with the foil and put on a cutting board to let cool for at least a couple of hours. The brownies will become more dense and less crumbly. They will still be slightly crumbly. Cut and serve.
8. You definitely need some milk, soy or cow’s or otherwise. Just be prepared.

Here are some fun mother’s day links:

Mother’s day recipes featured by The Stir @ CafeMom (both Da and I are on the list!)

I can’t resist these sticky buns (except leave the pecans off for me).

Can I recommend a last minute mother’s day gift?