Yikes, it’s July. Dunno how that happened. Seriously, someone told me they were planning on going away “on the 30th”, and I was like, “of June?” because I was still living five horoscopes ago. Anyway, happy summer, dear readers!

I got struck with inspo (are people still saying that?) at a family reunion dinner party recently to overshare with you again, because what I put in my mouth was just about the damned best and I want you to put it in your mouth too! Haven’t you missed me?!

Lil backstory for you, as I feel the people involved in this delicious discovery deserve a shoutout. They are my in-laws after all, and I always say, as far as the in-laws lottery is concerned, I came out a millionaire.

These two I’ll speak about in particular are Chad and Gillian, Chad being the woodsy scholar behind Salt Fresh Field, an amazing Canadian show about all things finding and preparing food in which you can devour here http://saltfreshfield.com , and Gillian being a super smart doctor and yoga instructor who can probably school you in theatre trivia while skiing a black diamond. I love them for a plethora of reasons, but today I’ll just highlight the one reason, and that’s because whenever I get invited to their house, I eat like a goddamn king.

Chad’s usually whipping up some freshly- and personally- slain bird of some sort, artfully placed on a cutting board for serving next to some fresh salmon collar he threw together and some perfectly roasted potatoes cooked in duck fat. It’s ridic and, despite how much I enjoy them and their wonderful children, it makes me never want to have them over for dinner because I shall never measure up. And you KNOW I LIKE A GOOD MEASURING UP.

But the real surprise at this particular family dinner party was dessert, and since I’ve never given you a dessert recipe (I, as a rule, do not make dessert in our home, because I will Eat. It. All. and one can only afford to buy new jeans so many times), I thought you would very much enjoy it. Oh yeah, and it’s kinda sorta even good for you? Not to mention gooey delicious and decadent. And no, you can’t taste the black beans, so chill out and give it a go. I promise you’ll love these.

Gillian found this winner at https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com so they deserve the credit. Except Gill made these and I’m convinced dusted them with brilliance.

Black Bean Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients:

1 15 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed

2 tbsp cocoa powder

1/2 cup of quick cooking oats

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

2 tbsp sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Mix all the ingredients in a food processor (this gets rid of the grainy taste of the beans so mix it all until really smooth). Stir in the chocolate chips and then pour into a greased brownie pan (8×8).

Bake for 18 minutes and let cool for 10 minutes before cutting up to serve (we did not do this and ended up with brownie lava cake which was equally friggin amazing but try to stay patient). Serve with ice cream, obviously. Life is short.

xoJBR