Ting-a-Lings!

This easy no-bake cookie is one I remember from my childhood. My Grandma made them and sent them to us every year. Today, this is a favorite in my house.  However, it's true confession in the kitchen time: I have never actually measured the ingredients.  This is a recipe that just looks right when it's ready.  

• semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted (about 2 cups)
• chow mein noodles (1 package)
• cocktail peanuts (1 cup or so)

The key is to mix the ingredients until you notice the following: 1) there isn't extra chocolate dripping, and 2) the chow mein noodles and peanuts are well-covered in chocolate.  I start with about 2 cups of chocolate chips, then add 1/2 package of chow mein noodles and mix.  Then I add peanuts - maybe a 1/2 cup.  Back to the noodles, add some more peanuts, and keep tossing until it's well mixed.

Drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet covered in waxed paper. Chill until chocolate hardens.  Keep in a cool place to prevent melting. Bring to room temp just before serving.

Cake Pops!

As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemakers program, I received coupons for Duncan Hines products - and with those came motivation to make my first Cake Pops!  We followed the method many have recommended: bake the cake according to package directions, cool completely, crumble it up and add frosting (we used about 3/4 of the can).  Next, we shaped the balls and inserted sticks that were dipped in our candy coating.  After chilling the pops for a half hour (let's hear it for sub-freezing Minnesota temps and a three-season porch off the kitchen!), we returned to the kitchen to dip them into peppermint chocolate coating.  And here was the result!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

This recipe is a variation on one that appears in this month's issue of Clean Eating.

• 25 to 30 small brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 1 T lemon juice
• 1 T olive oil
• 1 T white wine vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 c panko
• salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Toss brussels sprouts with lemon, oil, vinegar, & garlic. Sprinkle panko over sprouts and toss gently.  Spread in a single layer on a baking pan.  Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn and return to oven for 10 more minutes.

Ready for the oven.

Ready to eat!