Fashionable Food Forecast

I'm going to make an important fashion prediction. While it might not affect how you dress, it will certainly affect what you eat. Now, I don’t typically dabble in fickle fashion trends. I tend to favor the classics, myself. But, here goes …

I predict that the Brownie is the new Black.

Now you may not have had any inkling of this the last time the fashionistas descended on New York City, but I'm telling you the brownie is going to be the chic confection in the current comfort-craving, back-to-basics environment. Consider the evidence in favor of this most enduring treat. Let’s start with versatility. Like the little black dress, the brownie is stylish on its own, but it’s also easy to accessorize. Serve it plain, or with a scoop of ice cream, some fruit, add walnuts or an elegant frosting. And, it goes anywhere – great for a lunch box, dinner or even a late night tryst.

Then there’s the brownie’s practical affordability. In this age of economizing, frivolous chiffon cake is out. Lemon meringue pie misses the mark. The brownie is simplicity with substance, delicious but never dowdy, frugal but always fun. You've probably got all the ingredients for this Fudgy Skillet Brownie right in the pantry.

Let’s not forget the brownie’s timeless elegance. You probably didn't know the brownie's tony origin. The brownie was created in the kitchen of Chicago’s Palmer House Hotel for the 1893 Columbian Exposition. Mrs. Bertha Palmer asked the hotel chef to create a dainty ladies dessert that could be included in box lunches at the fair. The recipe is still served at the Palmer House today. By 1898 a Sears Roebuck catalogue had dubbed the dessert, “The Brownie.”

Finally, there’s the seductive power of chocolate. You've probably seen the headlines. Tired of all the dismal news, we are flocking to chocolate for a little boost. Well, chocolate and the brownie? It’s the whole scrumptious package.

So, go ahead. Treat yourself to a brownie, and enjoy a luscious moment on the cutting edge of fashion. Trust me. When you see the brownie strutting its stuff down the runway on “America’s Next Top Model,” you'll kick yourself for ignoring my advice.

©2009 T.W. Barritt All Rights Reserved