Cream Cheese Brownies

"If there's no chocolate in heaven, I'm not going."

Who doesn't love chewy, moist brownies?  These have big chunks of sweet cream cheese swirled into the super chocolatey batter.  Serve with ice cream, fudge, and whipped cream.

2/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (3.33 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon table salt
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (4 ounces)
1.25 cups sugar (8.75 ounces)
2.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 extra large eggs
8 ounces cream cheese
1 extra large egg yolk

Dinner Menu: Pan-Fried Steaks, Mushrooms with Thyme, and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

"Any of us would kill a cow, rather than not have beef."

Steak is one of my favorite things on the planet.  After finding this cooking method, I will definitely be making it more often!  This is a great menu for any weekend night.  The dishes complement each other very well.

Payasam

"Seize the moment.  Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart."

Payasam, or kheer, is a milk-based Indian dessert.  Unlike most Indian sweets, it doesn't have that terrible cloying sugariness.  One of my favorite childhood desserts.

4 cups milk (the more milkfat, the better)
1/4 cup small tapioca pearls
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/3 cup purple or golden raisins
1/3 cup cashews
6 cardamom pods
Pinch saffron