Friday, March 23, 2007

The Brownie: A Discussion

As Catholics, we are called at Lent to give up something much beloved for the season. Well, either that, or you can do something else in lieu of eschewing a favorite food/item - you can, for example, make a vow to attend daily Mass or volunteer in a soup kitchen. You get the gist.

I've discussed the fact that I am reading "The Purpose Driven Life" and also a Catholic booklet, "Daily Reflections for Lent". No, I didn't choose anything to give up, nor am I really putting myself out, but I'm such a procrastinator that I wait and wait 'til the last minute, then Lent is upon me and I still haven't decided. So, my decision is made for me. I do nothing.

Well, at the Catholic school, the children are asked at the beginning of Lent what their Lenten sacrifice will be. Most kids say "candy", then when the Easter Bunny brings a big ol' basket of chocolate, it's fantastic! I have a weird child who said "hot dogs and pastries". Go figure.

Earlier during the season, I had brought home some Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies. The Evil Twin and Buddy like those as part of their snack ritual for Friday Night Freakshow.

Now, the Evil Twin stated that the brownie is a pastry. I say no. Brownies and cookies are baked goods, not pastries. A doughnut, an apple strudel - the bear claw - those are all pastries. But a brownie? No!

What do you think? Who is right here? This is crucial because a full blown fight could erupt (j/k).

3 comments:

  1. You are right. Pastries are generally more of a bread -based item.

    Brownies are purely baked goods.

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  2. So does that mean a pastry chef doesn't make cakes, only a baker does? I did find this,

    "Those who make pastries professionally are known as either bakers or pastry chefs, depending on whether they produce pastries for a bakery or a restaurant, respectively."

    I'm all confused.

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  3. Brownie is not a pastry. Sorry.

    "n American cooking, a chocolate brownie, also known as a brownie or a Boston brownie, is a small, rich, chocolate, baked cake-slice, named after its brown color."

    "Pastry is the name given to various kinds of dough made from ingredients such as flour, butter, shortening, baking powder or eggs."

    Cake batter does not equal dough.

    The winner here? Everyone. Pastries and cakes are awesome.

    ReplyDelete