Homemade Popping Chocolate - Recipe Repertoire

1) Melt 16-24 oz of milk or dark chocolate chips in a double boiler.

2) Remove the chocolate from heat, and mix in 1 cup of mini M & M candies, and 4 individual packages of Pop Rocks. Add in any additional toppings you would like (gummies or pretzels, perhaps?).

3) Spread the candy into your mold of choice. (Shown here is a 13 x 9 pan, lined with Aluminum Foil, and slightly greased for easy removal.)

4) Place in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours until hardened.

5) Break into pieces as big or small as you would like, and store in an air tight container in the refrigerator. Keeps for at least 2 weeks...of you don't eat it all before then!

Enjoy!

Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta: Recipe Repertoire

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion

3 garlic cloves

28 ounces diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 pinch red pepper flakes

fresh ground pepper, to taste

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons tomato paste

4 ounces cream cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)

1 lb whole wheat penne pasta

9 ounces fresh spinach

Directions:

1 Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.

2 Add the pasta and cook until tender (5 to 7 minutes). Drain the pasta in a colander.

3 While waiting for the pasta to cook, dice the onion and mince the garlic.

4 Cook both in a large skillet with the olive oil over medium-low heat until softened and transparent, (about 5 minutes).

5 Add the diced tomatoes with juices, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper to the skillet with the onions and garlic.

6 Stir to combine. Add the tomato paste and a cup of water to the skillet and stir until the tomato paste is dissolved into the sauce.

7 Turn the heat down to low. Cut the cream cheese into a few pieces and then add them to the skillet with the tomato sauce.

8 Use a whisk to stir the sauce until the cream cheese has fully melted in and the sauce is creamy.

9 Add the fresh spinach and gently stir it into the sauce until it has wilted (3 to 5 minutes). Add the pasta and stir until it is well coated with the creamy tomato sauce.

10 Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm, with parmesan cheese (optional).

Rainbow Cake: Recipe Repertoire

     I don't know if I've mentioned it, but I swear by boxed bake goods.  They are simple, inexpensive, and delicious!

     However, the plain old yellow cake or chocolate brownies can get a bit dull, no?  So I pride myself in taking the boxed mixes, and sprucing them up a bit.  I am not scared to try ANY wacky idea that crosses my mind (as long as a fire extinguisher is not far off), and have thrown out very few of these in the long run.

     As April Fool's Day is just around the corner, why not try making this rainbow cake?

     From the outside it looks like any regular cake.  But once it has been cut into:

     The colors show through!

     What you will need:

• Your favorite white cake mix (with the required eggs/oil/water)
• Two greased cake pans of preferred diameter
• Food coloring of your choice
• A mixing bowl for each desired color

     What you need to do:

1. Prepare the cake mix according to the box.  Remember that with a white cake mix, it is better if you only use the egg whites, as the yolks will add their own color (making your job more difficult).
2. Divide the batter equally among the bowls, depending on how many colors you want in your cake.
3. Add a few drops of the food coloring into the bowls until the desired colors are obtained.  
4. Into the greased pans, pour half of the colored batters into one, and the remaining in the other.  Add the color in one area, and DO NOT MIX (unless you are going for a marbled look).
5. Bake according to the recipe and remove from the oven when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.  Allow the layers to cool before icing.

     Use your favorite icing for the cake.  I went with a simple white since I had the full rainbow already inside.  You could also try adding flavoring to the batter along with your colors.  I would advise against too many flavors in one cake.

     I hope you enjoy!

Spruce Up Breakfast

Mini bagels are fun, and very versatile.

Try a chocolate based spread (this is Cadbury milk chocolate spread, which can be bought from Sainsbury, but Nutella would work too). Slice up your favorite berry on top. This is my chocolate covered strawberry bagel.

You could also make lunch dishes, such as pizza. Spread on leftover sauce, sprinkle cheese, and toast in the oven.

Get creative to spruce up some blasé meals!