Chocolate Covered Frozen Bananas

Chocolate covered frozen bananas are the perfect warm weather treat. I had one for the first time a few years ago, and they are actually good enough to satisfy your ice cream craving! Have you ever tried them?

INGREDIENTS
6 medium bananas, peeled
6 popsicle sticks
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
12 ounces white chocolate chips
3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Toppings: toasted hazelnuts, or peanuts, sprinkles, coconut flakes, etc…

Directions:
* Line a sheet pan or a larger flat plate with waxed paper.
* Cut about an inch off the end of each banana.
* Insert a popsicle stick into the cut-end, and push the stick halfway in.
* Place all the bananas on the waxed paper and freeze for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
* Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler.
* Put the dipping decorations (nuts, sprinkles) on flat plates.
* Take one banana at a time and dip it in the chocolate, coating it completely – spoon some on, if needed.
* Roll the dipped banana in the nuts, or sprinkles (I used hazelnuts), and put it back on the waxed paper.
* Continue to do this with the rest of the bananas.
* Put the bananas back into the freezer and freeze for another 6 hours or over night.

recipe and photo via diethood.com

Food Photography

There is nothing like beautiful food photography to motivate a healthy lifestyle. I LOVE this photo of pretty fruits and veggies displayed on a wooden cutting board. It looks like the perfect evening snack (with a glass of white wine

Photo is via tumblr. I love tumblr, but can never trace photos back to their original source. If anyone knows, feel free to post. I’d love to give this fantastic photographer some credit!

P.S. avocados and jalapeño peppers are FRUITS (not veggies)!

Orange Grand Marnier Soufflé

i saw this cute recipe on 6 Bittersweets over the weekend and thought it would be fun to try for a spring dinner party dessert. i’ve actually never had orange soufflé before! (i usually stick with chocolate

Makes 6 soufflés

6 medium oranges (about 2 1/2 inches wide)
3 large eggs, separated
1/3 cup sugar PLUS 2 Tbsp sugar, and more for sprinkling
3 Tbsp cornstarch
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup milk [not skim]
2 tsp freshly grated orange zest
1 Tbsp Grand Marnier liqueur OR defrosted orange juice concentrate
Pinch of salt
Powdered sugar, to serve

Cut off the top part of each orange (about 3/4-inch) and a tiny sliver from the bottom so the oranges can stand straight. Using a microplane grater, grate the zest from the top part. Reserve 2 teaspoons for this recipe, then freeze the rest for another use. Empty the orange shells with a grapefruit spoon (making sure not to pierce the skin). Press the orange flesh through a strainer. Measure out 1 cup of juice for this recipe. Set orange shells on a large baking tray.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Dry orange shells if damp and lightly grease the insides with softened butter. Sprinkle bottoms and sides with excess sugar. Shake out extra.

Separate the eggs. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar and cornstarch until smooth. Whisk in the orange juice and milk. Place the mixture in a saucepan and heat over medium heat while stirring constantly until it thickens. Remove from the heat and add the zest, Grand Marnier, and salt. Let cool completely.

Using an electric mixer, whisk the egg whites until they hold soft peaks, then gradually add the 2 tablespoons of sugar and keep whisking just to stiff peaks. Fold 1/4 of egg whites into the orange custard to lighten, then add the custard mixture to the egg whites and gently fold in until fully incorporated. Fill the orange skins just to the top with the mixture. Flatten the tops with a spatula. Use your finger or a damp cloth to wipe clean the rim of the orange skins. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until puffy and golden on top. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve immediately.

Banana Bites (chocolate involved ;)

err…i always have leftover bananas and they often get thrown into Stella (my german shepherd’s) bowl!

problem solved:

* 2 cups chocolate chips
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* Assorted toppings for coating bananas (such as crushed oreos, toffee bits, chopped Butterfinger candy bars, chopped salted peanuts, or toasted shredded coconut)
* 3 bananas, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices

Stir chocolate and oil in heavy small saucepan over low heat just until smooth. Let stand 15 minutes to cool.

Place each topping in separate shallow dish. Line baking sheet with foil. Arrange banana slices on foil. Using fingers, dip 1 banana slice in chocolate, coating completely. Shake off excess chocolate. Drop dipped banana in 1 topping. Using clean hand, sprinkle more topping over banana to coat; transfer to foil-lined sheet. Repeat with remaining bananas, chocolate, and toppings. Freeze until firm, about 3 hours, then serve.

via My life. One recipe at a time.

Apple Cider Cups

Ingredients:
large apples
lemon juice
apple cider, either homemade or storebought
optional: cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice and/or star anise for garnish

Method:
On a cutting board or sturdy surface, use a knife to cut off the top of the apple. Then take a paring knife and carefully outline where you’d like the “rim” of your apple cup to be. (My rims were about 1/4″ wide.) Use a spoon to carefully begin scooping out the center of your apple until you have a nice “cup”. (A melon baller also works well for this.)

Also, if your apple doesn’t sit exactly level, take your paring knife and just slice off a few millimeters to even off the bottom to make it even. Just be careful not to let your knife cut through the bottom or sides of the apple when hollowing it out, or the cider will leak out!

Once you have the inside of the apples hollowed out, brush a little lemon juice over the inside of the apples (to prevent browning). Then fill with your favorite apple cider, garnish with cinnamon or spices if you’d like, and serve!

via gimmesomeoven.com

Fresh Berries Tartelettes

this morning i had a big bowl of Special K for breakfast…but i really wanted this Fresh Berries Tartelette! doesn’t it look delicious? find out how to make a Fresh Berry Tartelette here