Chocolate Truffle Brownies

Or an ode to my radiation team. (**note** I will not use all names or titles since I have not asked permission and the spelling of the first names used is purely my own concoction.) You all know that I just completed a round of 31 days of radiation therapy with a couple of rounds of chemo thrown in for good measure. Now, that is 31 treatments (tx) not calendar days. Rad Tx - funny how you need to learn a new language for every new endeavor in life, no? - is daily, Monday through Friday except holidays where I had to drink 500 mls of water within 15 minutes and hold it for an hour beforehand, which has never been easy for me even before my bladder started shrinking with the radiation! Anyway, the radiation therapy clinic at Allan Blair Cancer Centre is the most amazing assemblage of professionals I have ever encountered. My radiation oncologist (Rad Onc) led the team with a no-nonsense, full speed ahead attitude that could only inspire confidence and trust both from me and the staff. From the first day that I met her, she told me that I was young (hunh?) and healthy and that we would treat this cancer very aggressively because she knew I could fight it.

However my first day in radiation was not my best. I was still in the hospital recovering from surgery when they bloated me with water and wheeled me to the basement therapy ward for a CT simulation, which simulates the radiation therapy so that the patient can be positioned properly for when they use the real guns. At this point all modesty must be checked at the door as one is positioned, taped in places no tape belongs, prodded, photographed, scanned, x-rayed and finally tattooed. I cried silently throughout, until two of the nurses - or technicians - or therapists (I'm still learning their titles) held my hands and offered kind words, which of course made me cry even more! Sherrie and Arlene understood right away that it was not pain (at least the physical sort) that was causing my tears and their comfort was like a warm blanket in an otherwise freezing cold room.

The following day rad tx actually started when Bertha escorted me into the room with smoky (as I came to call the radiation machine) and helped me up on the table. The radiation itself was not as immodest as the CT sim since I got to disrobe under a blanket which stayed in place throughout. Having a freshly installed colostomy bag which the techs were obligated to move out of the way as they positioned my tattoos with lasers and a belly full of surgical staples did make me embarrassed at first, however. Though Phil, my lead radiation therapist had explained the process prior to this visit, the reality is still jarring. Day in and day out, however, one can become accustomed to anything and since the actual radiation blast doesn't hurt (that comes later, trust me), one adapts. So throughout 31 days of this; Phil, Leanne, Lisa and the RN Stacey became regular fixtures in my life. They always asked seemingly innocuous questions but if they detected the least bit of change in my comfort or demeanor I was sent off to exam room 5 where Stacey or my Doc would meet me to probe further and usually offer some measure of solution though I rarely asked for one. Someone even noticed a weight loss and magically a nutritionist appeared on the scene to weigh me weekly and offer protein powders and advice.

This long preamble was to ask the question; "How does one say thank you?" I mean *really* thank someone for their professional expertise, for putting up with my lame jokes, eclectic music CD mixes, bad moods, random emotional outbursts and generally looking after my health in a way I couldn't myself? How do you thank someone for trying to save your life and caring so deeply about it at the same time? My answer?

Chocolate Truffle Brownies with Chocolate Ganache (adapted from The All American Cookie Book)
Brownie:
6 1/2 oz bittersweet (not unsweetened) chocolate cut into chunks
1 1/2 oz unsweetened chocolate cut into chunks
1/2 cup unsalted butter cut into chunks
3/4 + 2 TBS granulated sugar
1 1/2 TBS liqueur (I used amaretto) or strong coffee
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 large eggs room temperature
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Method:
preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease a 9" round cake pan. Line the pan with a long strip of aluminum foil so that it overhangs on two sides (this will make removing the brownie from the pan a snap) grease or spray the foil with non-stick spray (unflavored)

in a small bowl, mix the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside. In a large microwave safe bowl, place chocolates and butter. Microwave on high for 1 minute, remove and stir well. If chocolate is not melted continue to microwave in 30 second increments at 50% power, stirring well after each zap until chocolate is completely melted and blended with butter. Stir in the sugar, vanilla and liqueur until well blended. Vigorously stir in the eggs one at a time until they are evenly incorporated and sugar is dissolved. You should not need a mixer, a wooden spoon or heavy plastic spatula work best. Stir in the flour mixture until evenly incorporated and turn the batter into the prepared pan spreading evenly to the edges. Bake in the middle of the oven for about 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean except for the bottom 1/2 inch, which should still be moist. remove from oven and cool completely in tha pan on a wire rack.

Ganache topping:
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 TBS liqueur or strong coffee
6 oz bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate (not unsweetened), cut into small chunks

In a small bowl, microwave the cream and liqueur until the cream just comes to a boil (about 1 minute) Stir in chocolate until smooth and shiny. If chocolate has not completely melted continue to microwave in 10-20 second increments at 50% power until chocolate completely melts when stirred. Cool ganache until just pouring consistency.

Assemble:
Remove brownie from pan by inverting onto wire rack and pulling the aluminum foil strips. Reinvert brownie onto serving dish. Pour ganache over top starting at the center and spreading to the edges with an offset spatula until ganache just runs over edges. Slice into wedges and garnish with fresh whipped cream (if you can wait!)

I had some leftover red chocolate plastic which I had used on another cake so I made a few roses and added to the top for a decorative feel but these are not necessary. A few days after my last radiation treatment, I received a call from Leanne in radiation, which of course set my heart to beating stacatto - had I forgotten an appointment, was something wrong? But no, Leanne simply wanted the recipe for this brownie, which I had brought in to the radiation centre for my last day!

So while no brownie can adequately say thank you to the people who changed my life, noticed when I took the time and care to put on make-up, looked after my whole being and saw me and not just the disease; it's the best I can do for now and I hope that these wonderful people go home at the end of each day comforted in the knowledge that they truly help people and not just through medicine and technology.