Easy Peppermint Bark

Here's the link: http://www.simplyscratch.com/2011/11/salted-chocolate-peppermint-bark.html

Here's what I did:

Melt 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips in a double boiler. Spread onto foil-lined cookie sheet (spread thin; will cover most of the foil). Put in fridge for 15-20 minutes or until hard. Meanwhile, crush 15-20 starlight mints and set aside. When chocolate has hardened, melt 1 bag white chocolate chips in double boiler. Cool for a few minutes until just warm, then spread over semi-sweet layer. Scatter mints on top and press into chocolate. Refrigerate until set, then break into pieces.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars (Cake)

Tried a new recipe this weekend. We were thinking pumpkin cookie bars, but this is really a cake.

We used white chocolate chips instead of semi sweet and it turned out great. It has a really nice pumpkin spice flavor. I didn't have pumpkin pie spice so I used 1.5 tsp cinnamon, .5 tsp nutmeg, .5 tsp ginger, and .5 tsp cloves instead.

Here's the link to the recipe: http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-bars/

No-Bake Cheesecakes

My favorite cheesecake is a no-bake cheesecake. There are two ways I have done it, and both are listed here.

The sweetened condensed milk version is really rich, while the cream version has a much lighter flavor. Both need some fridge time to set up and are best sliced and served straight out of the fridge because they soften quickly at room temperature.

For the graham cracker crust, I use 1 sleeve (10) crackers and 6 tablespoons butter (like this recipe only without the sugar).

Brownie in a Mug

Haven't tried this, but it's intriguing!

http://www.food.com/recipe/microwave-chocolate-mug-brownie-349246

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

There are two ways I have dipped pretzels: with almond bark and with chocolate chips. I like both ways. The almond bark is a little less fussy, but you have more options with the chips (dark chocolate, even peanut butter or butterscotch chips). Also, I prefer the double boiler method over the microwave method because the chocolate stays on the heat.

Baking chips or almond bark of choice

Vegetable oil (if you are using chips)

Pretzels

Set a small saucepan about half full of water on the stove to heat. Set a heatproof bowl on top of the pan (the bottom of the bowl should be above the water). Put chocolate in the bowl. Stir occasionally as it starts to melt. If using chips, add a little bit of vegetable oil to thin it down (about 1 tsp per bag of chips). White chocolate can be tinted with food coloring for pretty colors.

Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside. Dip pretzels in chocolate and place on baking sheet to cool. Almond bark tends to set up fast at room temperature while chocolate chips need some fridge time to harden quickly.

Note that we aren't concerned with how the pretzels look at the end (flat spots on the bottom, etc.) -- it's the taste that matters :)

Soy Chicken

Chicken breasts or thighs

1 clove garlic

Soy sauce

Thaw chicken if frozen, then place in a ziplock bag. Mince garlic and add to bag, then add soy sauce to coat. Squish bag around so garlic and soy sauce are well combined with chicken. Let sit for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally. Cook as desired.

*This is also my stir fry chicken recipe! Mix chopped chicken with garlic and soy sauce, and I let stand while I cook the veggies.

Berry Fruit Salad

Put this together for a barbeque with friends and it was a hit!

1 bag (2 lb) green grapes

1 carton (1 lb) strawberries

1 carton (1 dry pint) blueberries

1 carton (6 oz) raspberries

1 carton (6 oz) blackberries

A few hours before serving, wash fruit and remove any pieces that are squished, bruised, or otherwise un-appetizing:

Remove grapes from stems and place in a colander. Rinse under cool water and set aside.

Rinse raspberries and blackberries and place on paper towels.

Rinse whole strawberries in colander and transfer to paper towels.

Rinse blueberries in colander and set aside.

Let drain/dry for a few hours so fruit isn't wet when you assemble the salad (some water drops are okay).

To assemble:

Place grapes in large bowl. Slice strawberries lengthwise into thirds (or smaller to roughly match size of grapes). Toss together. Add blueberries and toss gently. Scatter raspberries and blackberries on top. Serve soon, without refrigerating.

White Chocolate Popcorn

My sister-in-law Dawnie makes this every year for the 4th of July. I had no idea it was so easy until this year!

popcorn (Dawnie uses theater butter microwave popcorn)

white almond bark

Pop popcorn and lay out in a single layer on wax paper or parchment paper. Remove as many unpopped kernels as possible. Melt chocolate in the microwave and drizzle over popcorn. Allow chocolate to harden.

Not sure of the proportions to use here -- I would guess one square of almond bark to a bag of popcorn.

Stain Removal: Crayon+Linoleum

Wet a rag with warm water and put it in the microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove carefully and lay flat over crayon marks. After a few seconds (when the cloth is cool enough to handle) scrub at the marks underneath. The heat softens the wax so it comes up more easily.

Thanks ehow for the hot water suggestion

Homemade Oreos

We were in the mood for chocolate wafers, and these are perfect to satisfy that craving:

http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/05/my-kingdom-for-a-glass-of-milk/

For Oreo-size, stick to the teaspoon of dough. For chocolate cookies to eat plain, use more like a tablespoon of dough.

I used just 1 c of sugar and that was perfect for us.

Mini Pigs in Blankets

1 pkg mini sausages (little smokies)

2 tubes refrigerator biscuits

sliced cheddar cheese

Use 1 sausage, a thin strip of cheese about the length of the sausage, and 1/3 biscuit for each. Assemble just like the classic version and bake as directed on the biscuits package.