I'm not usually impressed by celebrities. Unless it's George Clooney or Jude Law inviting me to the Oscars and offering me a free Vivienne Westwood wardrobe, I don't consider myself star struck (wait...did that sound shallow?). I once had a boss who told me that PR pros should always "treat celebrities like regular people and treat regular people like celebrities."
Throughout my public relations career, I've had the opportunity to meet some great singers, actors, actresses and TV personalities. The only times I've felt a little star struck are when I've met culinary celebrities. This summer, when I was working with a wonderful talent agency, I mentioned in passing that I have a blog and they offered to introduce me to one of their clients who happens to be a chef on the Food Network.
Aaron McCargo Jr. is a Food Network chef and winner of season 4 of the Next Food Network Star. He's also from New Jersey (like me!) and is a married father of four children (um, not like me!).
Image: Food Network (www.foodnetwork.com)
Aaron and I met at Olives in New York City to talk shop about food. And blogging. And the Food Network. Aaron has always loved cooking and owned a restaurant in Camden, NJ from 2003-2006.
Though some of Aaron's specialties are quite different than mine, his bold breakfasts and barbecue-inspired roasts, stews and pizzas are easy and fun for anyone to cook. His philosophy is that cooking can be fun: anyone can do it. Now, where have we heard that before?
Aaron was as down-to-earth as a Food Network star could possibly be and I was excited to learn that we shared many of the same perspectives on cooking.
His show on the Food Network, Big Daddy's House lets him show off his carefree cooking style and laid-back attitude towards all things culinary. "If you eat good food in moderation, you don't have to diet," he said, referring to the bowl of spiced tater tots that we were snacking on. "I just have one or two. You can enjoy them and not overdo it."
So, that's what I decided to do with his Killer Hazelnut Brownie Bites. 25 perfect little chocolate-y, hazelnut-y squares that you can pop into your mouth and finish in two bites.
Killer Hazelnut Brownie Bites
Ingredients
1 stick butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
1 cup turbinado sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1/4 cup cake flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup chopped hazelnuts
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line an 8 by 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease and flour.
3. In a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together, butter, sugar, vanilla seeds and vanilla extract. Add eggs and mix until well incorporated.
4. Mix together the dry ingredients and slowly add it to the egg mixture. Mix until well incorporated.
5. Pour the batter into prepared pan and spread evenly, add hazelnuts to the top.
6. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until brownies are set and begin to pull away from the side.
7. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack. Once cooled, remove brownies from pan and cut into 1 1/2-inch squares for individual bites.
See Aaron's original recipe for Killer Hazelnut Brownie Bites and more about his show on the FoodNetwork.com
Awesome picture of you with him!
Posted by: Dana | October 14, 2009 at 02:01 AM
I bet that was a blast! Aaron seems like such a nice guy! Those broewnies dont look like they are having too hard of a time finding friends either. Helloooo Brownie!
Posted by: megan | October 11, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Vanilla beans add on is perfect of this dessert.
Posted by: harcoutbreton | October 11, 2009 at 05:38 AM
How cool you got to meet and chat with Aaron! The brownies look fabulous!
Posted by: Kerstin | October 10, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Hi Maris! What an awesome experience! Hehe...love your boss' advice about celebrities/regular people. I am totally the opposite of you and get REALLY star struck. I am sure I would feel that way even if I met a high-profile blogger or something. I'm a dork like that.
Cute photo!
Posted by: Lara (Thinspired) | October 10, 2009 at 10:43 AM
What a fun time. Jealous.
Posted by: Amy J in SC | October 10, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I'm gonna make those tomorrow. Thanks for the recipe.
Posted by: Matt | October 10, 2009 at 03:44 AM
Isn't he so down to Earth? I interviewed him a few years ago and was taken with how normal he was.
As for those brownies ... OMG. They look amazing.
Posted by: Sarah Caron | October 09, 2009 at 04:34 PM
ohh! lucky you! those brownies look delicious and aaron sounds so cool!
Posted by: heather | October 09, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Those brownies look great! I had no idea you worked in PR. How fun:) I agree about celebrities too. I work for a celebrity but she is so down to earth you would never know. Although if someone sat me down to meet Ina Garten I might freak out...haha.
Posted by: NutmegNanny | October 09, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Those brownies are a killer. They look so delish.
Posted by: Hélène | October 08, 2009 at 10:20 PM
holy smokes those brownies look and sound delicious!!! I DEFINITELY have to try those!
and yay! for aaron being from jersey..I didn't know that. my mom likes watching his show and frequently makes some of his recipes.
Posted by: thatShortChick | October 08, 2009 at 06:50 PM
How fun! What a great opportunity to meet a fun Food Network celeb and these brownies look delicious!
Posted by: mandy | October 08, 2009 at 10:25 AM
AWESOME opportunity!!
Posted by: VeggieGirl | October 08, 2009 at 05:38 AM
Those look absolutely incredible. Why were these not shared with me!
Posted by: Daryl | October 08, 2009 at 05:17 AM