Saturday my MIL and I went to Norfolk, VA (just across the bay from us) to see Paula Deen. She is a hoot and a half - this was our second time seeing her. She didn't do a bit of cooking, there was an executive chef there doing the work....she gabbed for an hour and a half. Michael was with her and it was just FUN. Before the show, we visited vendors and sampled all sorts of good stuff, from dips to nuts to jellies. We were fat and happy before we sat down for the show.


I had bought the tickets for the show (an early birthday present from me, to me - LOL) and MIL gifted me with Paula's 2009 calendar. I also bought a mix to make her Sweet Potato muffins and a nice big latte mug - not that I drink coffee, but it will make a great tea mug for me.




The menu consisted of Stuffed Pork Chops (Smithfield pork chops and sausage, y'all), along with Savannah Red Rice and Orange Brownies. We didn't get a bite of food where we were sitting, but it sure did smell good. For those of you in the Washington DC area, Paula, Bobby Flay and Giada deLaurentis will be there in November.



I had made her Orange Cake before, and it was YUMMY good. Here is her recipe for Orange Brownies with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting




Orange Brownies


Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
4 eggs
2 teaspoon pure orange extract
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 recipe Orange Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan.
Orange Brownies: Stir together flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add butter, eggs, orange extract, and orange zest. Using a handheld electric mixer, beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until light golden brown and set. Remove from oven, allow to cool and pierce entire cake with a fork. Spread the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting over completely cooled brownies. Cut into squares.
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Ease of Preparation: Easy Yield: 20-24 brownies
Orange Cream Cheese Frosting: 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 4 tablespoons softened butter 1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar2 tablespoons orange zest 2 tablespoons orange juice
In a large mixing bowl, whip the butter and cream cheese together with a hand-held electric mixer. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until it is all combined and smooth. Beat in the orange zest and juice. Spread over brownies.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Ease of Preparation: Easy Yield: Enough for 1 batch of brownies
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen, 2007