On sweet friends, talented artists and secret recipes

Secret family recipes often offer insight into the people they represent.

Take, for instance, The Maras Girl Brownie Recipe.

Sweet, deep, natural and smart, it includes a life-changing ingredient, natural high fat cocoa.

You’re welcome, America.

My friend Gina Maras, artist, athlete and mother of four, introduced me to this super food when she sent me a packet from Penzeys, along with a recipe card for the best brownies I’ve ever tasted.

Gina has made a habit of introducing me to some of the cooler things in life.

She once sent me a bottle of wine, which I liked so much I attempted to purchase another bottle, inspiring the following conversation at Flanagan’s Liquor:

Me: Do you sell Conundrum win?

Clerk: Yes, I believe we do. I’m just not sure where. Hey! Do you know where the Conundrum wine is?

Second Clerk: Well, I know we sell Conundrum. I’m just not sure where.

Clerk: Conundrum — California white, right? I saw it just the other day. I’m just can’t remember where.

Me: Is anyone else appreciating the irony of this situation?

Gina and her husband Guy are raising four intelligent, strong and beautiful girls who, thanks to Gina’s talent, will be immortalized in a gorgeous piece of art currently hanging on their living room wall.

I love the way it represents all of Gina’s greatest skills. You can see her high standards and attention to detail in the sketch-to-sculpture process. Her profound love of family permeates the piece, and their love bounces back. A visual artist, Gina created the sketches from a favorite photo she had taken of the girls, and worked with a metal art sculptor to complete the work.

I’ll never be able to create a piece of art like that. But, thanks to Gina’s generosity, I can bake a mean pan of brownies. And, now, you can too.

Enjoy!