Chocolate Covered Potato Chips.

We went to a friend's house for NYE and I wanted to bring a fun dessert. So, after looking through my Yum Yum & Fun pinterest board, I happened upon ..... chocolate covered potato chips.  And alas, my fun dessert was found.














Unfortunately, the link to the recipe didn't work, but the picture inspired me, so I decided to make up my own.  And away we go....

Ingredients:
12 oz bag Lays Lightly Salted Potato Chips

1 bag of Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Grinder of Coarse Sea Salt

Directions:
1. Pour entire bag of chocolate chips into double boiler over boiling water
2. Stir chips frequently with a spatula until completely melted
3. Dip approximately 1/3 of each potato chip into chocolate mix
4. Place chips onto wax paper and grind a pinch of sea salt onto each chip
5. Chill in refrigerator
6. Enjoy!!

Here's a look at the finished product. They were delicious!

Some Observations/Takeaways:
1. Must improve my double boiler/melting experience (had a few incidents of water bubbling over and it seemed to take a long time to really melt/get smooth) - any tips, reader friends? Advice, please!
2. Might try with Ruffles (or another thicker chip), just to see how that impacts the chocolate/chip ratio
3. Consider unsalted chips, or without sea salt (if looking to keep the sodium intake down)
4. Loved the semi-sweet chocolate, but want to try milk chocolate and dark chocolate for other variations

YUM. Highly recommend!

Pear & Feta Salad and Trader Joe's Cornbread. Yum.

We had a great BBQ this past weekend.  And I'm very excited because I contributed to the menu.  Since most of you don't know me, you would not know that I don't really cook. I would like to, and the few times I have, I've enjoyed it and felt great satisfaction when my items have turned out and tasted good!  I guess I think either it's overwhelming to cook or I don't feel like I have time.

So, I didn't exactly "cook" for the BBQ but I made two delicious items - salad and cornbread. And both were big hits! Very exciting for me.  Let's start with the salad.

I knew I wanted a salad with feta, and thought the addition of a fruit and nuts would make for a nice light salad.  After considering green apples, strawberries, mandarin oranges and pears, I opted for pears.  Feta and candied walnuts seemed like a nice fit with the pear, and my new signature dish was created.

Pear & Feta Salad

Ingredients:
One pear
Feta Cheese
Candied Walnuts
Mixed Greens
Trader Joe's Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients in large bowl
2. Add dressing & toss
3. Serve

And here is a look at the finished product:

Yum. I love the mix of sweet & salty. And the feta and candied walnuts offset the pear and balsamic so nicely.  And for someone who doesn't cook much, you can imagine how thrilled I was when both of my sister-in-laws asked me for seconds - and declared it delicious!  So proud, the next day I recreated the salad for our sitter, and she too asked for seconds! 

And now, on to the cornbread.

Trader Joe's Cornbread

Ingredients:

Cornbread mix

One egg

1/2 cup oil

3/4 cup milk

Directions:

1. Beat egg, milk and oil together.

What kind of oil? What kind of milk? Good questions. I used whole milk and olive oil.

2. Add cornbread mix and .... mix!

3. Pour into desired pan/tin and cook for 35-40 minutes

I used a muffin tin.

4. Take out, cool and serve

And here is  look at the finished product:

Tasty Cornbread!

   

I really want to commit to "cooking" more. Whether it's preparing from a mix, making a salad, baking or serving up a dish uniquely -- I want to do it more.  So if you have any great recipes, or easy to make (or prepare) dishes, I'd love to hear about them!

In sum, I really recommend making (& eating) the pear & feta salad. It really was so delicious.  I think you'll love it.  And go to Trader Joe's for the cornbread mix too!

Enjoy.