Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Melt chocolate with shortening over warm water; Cool. Blend together eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt; stir in chocolate mixture. Stir in flour. Fold in walnuts.
Turn into well greased 8 inch square pan. Bake for about 40 minutes. Spoon jam over hot brownies; spread carefully. Let cool.
Spread chocolate glaze over brownies and top with chocolate dipped walnuts, if desired.
Cut into 12 bars.
Chocolate glaze:
Melt unsweetened chocolate. Blend in butter and corn syrup. stir in powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Mix well.