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1
Preheat the oven to 350F.
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2
Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add the garlic.
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3
When it becomes fragrant, after just a minute or so, add the tomatoes, pepper flakes, basil, and oregano.
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4
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and leave the sauce to simmer, uncovered so it will thicken a bit.
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5
Fill a large pot with water and set it over high heat.
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6
Drain the artichoke hearts and slice them lengthwise into thin slices.
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7
Put the slices in a bowl.
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8
Toss the sun-dried tomatoes and vinaigrette with the artichokes.
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9
Put the bowl into the refrigerator.
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10
Check your sauce and make sure its simmering.
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(Turn the heat up or down as necessary.)
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12
Give the sauce a stir.
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13
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, and salt (a whisk is great for this).
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14
Is your water boiling yet?
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15
If so, put your pasta in.
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16
And while youre at the stove, give your sauce another stir.
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Add the water, oil, and vanilla to the bowl with the flour mixture.
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Stir.
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19
Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish and pour in the brownie batter.
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20
Put in the oven and set your timer for 25 to 30 minutes for fudgy, gooey brownies; 35 to 40 minutes if youd like them more solid.
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21
A toothpick inserted into the center should have some gooey bits clinging to it for fudgy brownies and be clean for cakelike brownies.
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22
Check your pasta.
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If its done, drain it in a colander.
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24
Add to your sauce the olives, capers, and wine or broth.
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25
If youd like it a little thicker, stir in the tomato paste.
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26
Plate the pasta and ladle the sauce to cover.
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27
If youre using the parsley, sprinkle it on top.
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28
Serve with the artichoke salad.
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29
At some point during, dinner you will have to get up and take the brownies out of the oven.
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30
Let them sit for at least 10 minutes before cutting.
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31
Serve dessert.
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32
Congratulations.
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33
You have just survived a dinner disaster.
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34
Notes on brownies: The recipe can be halved and made in an 8-inch square pan if you prefer.
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35
(Though why anyone would prefer fewer brownies were not sure.)
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36
Adding 1/2 to 3/4 cup chocolate chips makes delightfully decadent brownies.
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37
Using coffee instead of water will make these even richer.
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38
Substituting one-fourth to one-half of the oil with applesauce will make them less rich (and less filled with fat and calories), but they will still be delicious.
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39
If plain old brownies dont seem exciting enough, do you have any ice cream?
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40
We believe its always a good idea to have some in your freezer.
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41
And if thats not enough, how about some fruit?
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42
Do you have those frozen berries we mention in the emergency list?
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43
A brownie served with vanilla ice cream and blackberry sauce feels very adult.
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44
You want to be even more adult?
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45
How about a splash of liqueur over your brownie sundae?
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46
Coffee liqueur and Irish Cream are both nice, but a good whiskey is also an unexpected treat.
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47
Or, go in the other direction and make your inner child happy: dollop chocolate syrup on top.
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48
Add a sprinkle of nuts if you have some.
