Chewy Pistachio Brownies: National Pistachio Day

Today is National Pistachio Day! I love that green nut and used to eat them by the bucketful as a kid. Chocolate and Pistachios are a great match! I've posted many recipes in the past, but for today's holiday I think this recipe for Chewy Pistachio Brownies is top notch. I always say that Associations and Food sites have great recipes. This recipe is adapted from the American Pistachio Growers website. You can never have enough Brownie recipes, and pistachios are a great alternative to walnuts. Totally different flavor!

Fun Pistachio Facts 
Pistachios are one of the oldest flowering nut trees, and are one of the only two nuts mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 43:11). Humans have eaten pistachio nuts for at least 9,000 years.
In the first century A.D., Emperor Vitellius introduced Rome to the pistachio. Apicius, Rome's Julia Child of the first century, includes pistachios in his classical cookbook.
The Queen of Sheba loved pistachios. she demanded that the entire region’s pistachio harvest be set aside for her.
The Pistachio is known as the 'smiling nut" in Iran and the happy nut in China.
Pistachios owe their green and purple hue to antioxidants.
Pistachios are a good source of protein, fiber, magnesium, thiamin, and phosphorous. Pistachios are an excellent source of vitamin B6, copper, and manganese.
Almost 90% of the fat found in pistachios is the healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats.
Pistachios are good for the heart.

Chewy Pistachio Brownies 

Ingredients
1/2 cup Cocoa
1 cup Sugar
3/4 cup Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup Shelled natural American pistachios, chopped
6 tablespoons Butter, melted
1 Large Egg

Directions
In mixing bowl, combine cocoa, sugar, flour, baking powder, chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup chopped pistachios. Add melted butter, egg, and milk. Mix just until ingredients are blended. Scrape batter into oiled 9-inch square baking pan.
Bake in preheated 350° F. oven, 23 to 25 minutes or until center is baked. Do not overbake. 

Chocolatey Chewy Pistachio Brownies

Today is National Pistachio Day! Although I've posted many chocolate and pistachio recipes over the years, I went to the 'source' for this new  (to me) recipe for Pistachio Brownies. The source being the American Pistachio Growers website. Read about the history of pistachios HERE.

You'll love this recipe to celebrate the day! I would leave off the frosting. The brownies are great without it! However, I posted the frosting recipe, just in case.

Chocolatey Chewy Pistachio Brownies

Ingredients
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup dark chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup shelled natural American pistachios, chopped
6 Tbsp sweet butter, melted
1 large egg
1/4 cup milk

Directions
In mixing bowl, combine cocoa, sugar, flour, baking powder, chocolate and 1/2 cup chopped pistachios. Add melted butter, egg and milk; mix just until ingredients are blended.
Scrape batter into oiled 9-inch square baking pan.
Bake in preheated 350° F. oven, 23 to 25 minutes or until center is baked. Do not overbake.
Cool slightly; spread with Chocolate Glaze. Sprinkle with remaining pistachios.

Milk Chocolate Glaze
Combine 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate with 2 tablespoons butter in glass measuring cup.
Microwave on high for 1 minute.
Stir to blend, adding 1 Tbsp powdered sugar.