Roasted Pineapple

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Roasted Pineapple

Roasted Pineapple

Would you believe I bought a pineapple for the first time this week? The only pineapple I've eaten up to this point has been canned, buried somewhere in a Jello salad, or served pre-cut at a potluck. While these are certainly not bad ways to enjoy pineapple, sometimes you just need the real deal staring you in the face. Even if it is intimidating.

And it's sharp. With spiky hair reminiscent of a troll doll.

Roasted Pineapple

I'm afraid to let my kitchen inexperience show by telling you I spent nearly 15 minutes trying to figure out how best to cut a pineapple. As someone who enjoys food and likes to call herself a decent cook, I feel there are some things I should inherently know in the kitchen. Boning a chicken, properly braising meat, and cutting a pineapple all fall in this category. Do I actually know how to do any of these techniques? Well, no.

Then again, I've always been more of a baker.

But in my defense, I've watched someone bone a chicken (does that count?). Someday I plan on actually learning what the term braising means (it's good to have goals, right?). But as for the pineapple? I think I can finally cross that one off my list.

Roasted Pineapple

This Roasted Pineapple is fresh and pleasant. The pineapple is cut into rings, roasted, and sprinkled with brown sugar, which brings a deep, well-rounded flavor to the pineapple. For a twist, I added a sprinkling of freshly ground pepper. It adds a subtle, unexpected kick to the pineapple and surprisingly complements it well. Although unusual, I recommend you give it a try; it turns this simple dessert into something really special.

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Easter Chick Cupcakes

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Easter Chick Cupcakes

Easter Chick Cupcakes

Do you remember those chocolate nests I made last Sunday? Well, they hatched.

Okay, maybe they didn't hatch per se, but if they actually did wouldn't that be just about the greatest thing ever? You slave over the world's simplest (and easiest) cookie recipe to make a batch of chocolate nests full of candy eggs and head off to sleep, only to wake up the next morning to find that your eggs have hatched into a bunch of cute baby cupcake chicks.

If only, if only.

Easter Chick Cupcakes

Mama Chick is protecting her precious eggs from the dangers of nature (and sneaking fingers). Be careful; she might peck you if you get too close.

Easter Chick Cupcakes

Once the little peepers hatch, they get hungry. Feed them gummy worms to stop the chirps. Now that I think of it, that might look too adorable (is there such a thing?). In any case, I'll caution you on this one. Do it at your own risk. Cute overload is a real threat.

I love the little chick on the left; he looks like he's puckering up for a big kiss.

Easter Chick Cupcakes

These chicks remind me of the song Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep. It's probably best that you don't ask me why I know all the lyrics.

Easter Chick Cupcakes

If your little chicks are growing up too fast for your liking (they were tiny peeps just a moment ago!) and start to fly the nest, you can always lock them up. Keep them safe from the dangers of the world (and hungry stomachs) for just a little longer.

This is also effective in keep wandering hands from touching your afternoon snack.

Easter Chick Cupcakes

In my biased opinion, I think these chicks are just too cute. I literally squeal in delight whenever I see them and then proceed to coo and peep at them for several minutes until I come back to my senses. Then, I eat them. They are cupcakes after all.

I played around with the size of the cupcakes when making the mamas, papas, and little peeps, which I think made all the difference. These Easter chicks are surprisingly easy to make. Young children could tackle the baby peeps with relative ease (they might need a little help on the beaks) while the older ones could try their hand at the big chicks. The bigger chicks are formed by molding marshmallows and attaching them to the cupcake with frosting.

I've always been hesitant to try out elaborately decorated cupcakes because the steps were long and complex or I didn't have all of the ingredients on hand (like colored candy melts or certain fruit chews). With that said, I can assure you that you most likely have all the ingredients for these chicks in your pantry already. You could decorate a flock of these chicks in a half hour's time (instead of an entire afternoon) without breaking a sweat. These Easter chicks are cute and practical; what more could you ask for?

Easter Chick Cupcakes

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Chocolate Nests

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Chocolate Nests

Chocolate Nests

It's no secret that I'm clumsy. My parents like to joke that they should have named me Grace. Oh, the irony. If only they had the foresight to actually do so—now that would have been truly ironic.

Unfortunately, my clumsiness (and uncanny ability to trip while standing still) extends to the kitchen. I'm a hazard to myself. I've burned myself more often than I can count. Currently, my arms and hands are host to a grand total of six burns. I honestly couldn't tell you where half of them came from. It's reached the point where I don't even notice when I've done it. Sometimes I tell people I won a battle between a renegade cupcake pan and myself. But really, who am I trying to kid? That cupcake pan kicked my butt.

I'm just glad baking doesn't require much knife work.

Chocolate Nests

After all that fuss, I decided that it might be smart to make something no-bake this week. No knives, no ovens, no chance to injure myself unless I seriously forget the function of a spatula.

In honor of spring and the upcoming Easter holiday, I thought these chocolate nests would be perfect. I remember seeing these in cookbooks as a child, but I had never made or eaten them before. I figured it was time to put my childhood curiosity to rest. Since Easter candy is rampant this time of year, it's the best time of year to make these treats.

Chocolate Nests

These Chocolate Nests are made from chow mein noodles coated in peanut butter and chocolate. I was initially hesitant to use chow mein noodles for these treats (chow mein noodles are associated more with stir fry and less with dessert in my head), but these noodles were destined for this dessert. I couldn't have been more wrong about them. They provide the perfect crunch and look with minimal taste so the chocolate and peanut butter really shine through. You can use any candy of your choosing for the eggs—mini candy eggs, jelly beans, foil wrapped chocolate eggs. The sky is really the limit here.

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