Orange & Olive Oil Brownies
“We were heaped up there, withdrawn from our childhood, away from the land of oranges…oranges that died, an old farmer once told us, if watered by strange hands.”
from “The Land of Sad Oranges”, Ghassan Kanafani
Recipe
6 tbs mild extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing pan
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
¼ cup boiling water
3 ounces melted unsweetened chocolate
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tbs vanilla extract
¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
⅓ cup granulated sugar
Zest of 3 medium oranges
2-3 oranges, thinly sliced
Method
Heat oven to 350 degrees, and grease an 8-by-8-inch square baking dish with some of the olive oil. Line pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides so you can pull the brownies out easily.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking powder.
In a large bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and boiling water until smooth. Whisk in 6 tablespoons oil, melted chocolate, egg and vanilla.
Whisk in brown and granulated sugars and orange zest, then fold in flour mixture, then chocolate chips. Scrape into prepared pan, top with thin orange slices and bake until set and firm to the touch, 20 to 25 mins.
Let brownies cool, then cut into squares and serve.