Sharing Plate – Your Cooking Coach |

I have been watching Rocco Disiprito talking about his new book- Now Eat This. He has taken everyday, unhealthy foods and reinvented them with fewer calories. He is all over television cooking these dishes and showing how people can still eat all the food they like and be healthy. I really do like some of the ingredients he uses to reduce the calories but I am not too keen on using artificial sweeteners, etc. The other problem I have with his concept is, I think people need to change their eating habits and incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their day instead of continuing eating pizza and fried chicken.

So, when I saw him bake these brownies, I was fascinated by his use of black beans instead of flour- wow, I thought. He also used an egg substitute as well as an artificial sweetener. I did some research on the Internet and found tons of black bean brownie recipes out there- so Rocco wasn’t the first one to use black beans in brownies. After reading a bunch of recipes, I came up with this. I used the black beans but used real organic eggs and raw sugar.

I baked them up and gave some to a bunch of neighborhood kids. They all enjoyed them and didn’t say anything about texture or flavor. I thought the brownies were delicious- they have a gooey, fudgy texture- thanks to the black beans.

While eating them, I realized they will be perfect for Passover. So, all of you out there who are celebrating Passover- have a joyous one and try the brownies- they are really good.
BTW, the green rice and refried beans recipes to follow tomorrow…

• One 15 ½ ounce can black beans- strain and rinse well
• ¼ cup extra light olive oil
• 3 large eggs
• ¾ cup evaporated cane sugar
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate- grated

Coat an 8 X 8 baking pan with some oil and keep aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Add the beans to a large food processor and add the oil. Process till smooth. Add the eggs, cane sugar, cocoa, vanilla extract. almond extract, baking powder and salt. Process till everything is incorporated and smooth. Take the bowl off the processor and add the grated chocolate and mix with a spatula. Pour the mixture into the pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes till knife comes out clean.