The Good Rabbi's Blog

Yesterday I witnessed something extremely bizarre. As some of you know, I've recently started working at a local brewery here in our nation's capital for some side income. Yesterday, there was a fairly large party that came in for dinner and drinks. During the course of their sojourn there, they would occasionally break into a large cheer while looking up at one of the several televisions on the floor. Since I was working, and couldn't see the tv's I assumed that they we're cheering for a team, and watching a sports game (most likely football), as that's what's normally on those tv's. I had the occasion to go out on the floor, and to my utter astonishment, those idiots were watching Hardball with Chris Matthews.

Setting aside the fact that Chris Matthews is a moron who plays a journalist on tv (really, the man is a complete fraud - check out his bio sometime), who cheers for one of these televised screaming matches? What a bunch of pinko commie liberal hippies. I guess I'm just not the Washington type. Really, all these clowns I run into around town (especially Democrats) all think they're saving the world, and none of them realise just how intellectually vapid they are. I mean seriously, there is absolutely zero thought and intellectual realism in their arguments. The Republicans can be just as bad too. They defend ideologies and policies that are so damn low on the totem pole (given all the problems we face), but still think I'm wrong to advocate a more intellectual approach. I actually think things through, and while my reactions to things may not be the most popular (or popular at all, for that matter), they are always the right response (in terms of what is best course of action).

People like Chris Matthews just foster a climate where people compete not for who has the best ideas, but simply who can scream the loudest. This type of environment leads to a world where we substitute shrillness for intellectualism. We either need to collectively start thinking again, or I guess I just have to get out of this town, as it just simply isn't me...

November is Peanut Butter Lovers' Month, so I thought I'd post a recipe to celebrate. Since very few of you are into a cream of peanut butter soup, I thought that a good dessert recipe is in order. Enjoy!

Ingredients
3 oz (¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp) Unsweetend (Baker's) Chocolate, finely chopped
8 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, cut into chunks
1 Cup Sugar
½ Tsp Baking Soda
¼ Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
⅔ Cup All-Purpose Flour
2 Large Eggs
⅓ Cup Peanut Butter (at room temperature)

Instructions

1. Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Coat an 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray or shortening.

3. Melt the chocolate and butter in a small bowl in the microwave or in a metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir the mixture occasionally to combine. Once melted, let the mixture cool for several minutes.

4. Whisk the sugar, baking soda, salt, eggs, and vanilla together in a medium bowl until combined, about 15 seconds. Whisk in the chocolate/butter mixture until smooth. Stir in the flour until no streaks of flour remain (be sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl). Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared pan.

5. Drop the peanut butter in small dollops over the batter. Without touching the bottom of the pan, run a paring knife through the batter to create swirls.

6. Bake until a toothpick inserted halfway between the edge and the center of the pan comes out clean, 22 to 27 minutes.

7. Let the brownies sit in the pan (outside of the oven) for about 10 minutes. Turn out brownie block onto a wire rack to cool completely. When cooled completely, cut into 2 inch squares and enjoy!