This is a simple recipe that is simply delicious...easy to make and easy to serve topped with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream.  It is best served warm yet delicious when it is completely cool.  A suggestion would be to make it up before your dinner guests arrive...and then when all of you sit down to dinner slip it into the oven...and dessert will be ready by time dinner is consummed and your guests are sipping on Gevalia Traditional Roast coffee.  Here is the recipe:

1 cup all-purpose or unbleached flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans (if desired)
2 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa (I use Ghirardelli premium baking cocoa)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons melted shortening or oil (I use vegetable oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
 1 3/4 cups ot water

• Heat oven to 350 (F).  Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.  In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, nuts, 2 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder, salt, milk, shortening and vanilla.  Mix at medium speed until well blended.  Spread in ungreased 8" square pan.
• In small bowl, combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa and hot water; pour over batter.  Bake at 350 (F) for 40 to 45 minutes or until cake is set.  Serve warm or cool, topped with cream or whipped cream or ice cream.
• 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients for the steak:

2 New York strip steaks...about 3/4 pound each
Non-stick spray
1/2 of a large red onion coarsely sliced
1/2 pound of sliced fresh mushrooms
butter
Good with Everything Herbed Sea Salt (or like type of salt/spice)
Splash of balsamic vinegar

Heat 3 quart saute pan on medium heat until hot...spray with non-stick spray.  Add steaks and season them with the Good With Everything Herbed Sea Salt.  Brown about 3 minutes on each side.

Remove steaks from pan and add 4 - 6 tablespoons butter.  When butter is hot and bubbling add the red onion and the mushrooms.  Saute until mushrooms are just browning around the edges.  Splash lightly with balsamic vinegar.  Add steaks to pan and mound mushroom and onions around the steaks and reduce the heat to low.  Cook another 10 to 15 minutes on very low heat...or until your favorite doness whether it be rare, medium rare, or well done.

Serve each steak with the mushrooms and onions mounded over them.

Make your favorite salad...and enjoy the meal.  Horseradish sauce, for me, is a must to have with the steak.

Enjoy.  Serves 2.  Can easily be increased/reduced.

You know those work weeks from hell?  The kind of work week where you limp home on a Friday night completely drained of energy yet want to make Friday night special.  Well, here is a recipe for such a night (and it does not have to be Friday)...bake a potato along with the meat and make a simple salad...meanwhile have a cocktail or two.  Like magic, your equilibrium will be back...and you will be enjoying a delicious meal.