Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Clementines

By this time of year, I've eaten my weight in clementines. While they're the perfect little treat, sometimes a girl likes to dress things up.

Make these this week for your valentine.



Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Clementines
4 clementines, peeled
1/2 cup good dark chocolate. I like the Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips.
Sea salt



1. Melt the chocolate in a small dish in the microwave. Heat for 30 seconds and stir, repeating the cycle until the chocolate in fully melted and smooth.



2. Dip the clementines in the chocolate, using a spoon to cover half of each piece. Lay on parchment paper and sprinkle with sea salt.



3. Allow chocolate to harden for at least an hour before removing the slices from the parchment to serve or store in the refrigerator. The end of the clementine that's not covered in chocolate will dry out, so consume within 12 hours.

TastyTuesday: Chocolate-Covered Gummi Bears

Going into my first gluten-free holidays, I already anticipate feeling left out of Christmas cookies and treats. I'm attempting to make a few new tasty traditions, like Chocolate-Covered Gummi Bears, a quick, easy, no-bake candy.

Ingredients
1 bag Gummi bears
1 bag Ghirradeli dark-chocolate chips
Parchment paper

Directions
Place the chips into a microwave-safe bowl. To temper the chocolate without going to the trouble of a double boiler, heat it in microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each one until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted.

Using a fork, dip each bear in chocolate and allow excess to drip off. For extra-festive flair, top with holiday sprinkles. Carefully place bear backside down on parchment and allow to harden for about an hour.

Store in single layers on parchment paper.

SundayInspiration: Best of the week on Pinterest

Obviously, I'm a bit obsessed with Pinterest. Here are my top picks for this weeks pins. Go here to follow me.

Perfect makeup.

Source: drugstoreprincess.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Good morning yoga.

Source: thoughtsbynatalie.blogspot.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Pomegranate juice and champagne.

Source: simplygluten-free.com via Heidi on Pinterest

25 slow cooker soups.

Source: ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Spinach Feta Lasagna.

Source: amerrymishapblog.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Painted golden branches.

Source: casasugar.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Ray-Ban P-Retro Cat sunglasses.

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Reclaimed-wood drink rest.

Source: etsy.com via Heidi on Pinterest

DIY sparkly bobby pins.

Source: thebeautydepartment.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Hand-drawn typography on glass frames.

Source: thejealouscurator.com via Heidi on Pinterest

SavorySunday: Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts seem the vegetable of children's nightmares, but I can't help but love these little guys. Lately, I've been ordering a cup of soup with a side of Brussels sprouts when I eat at the HoDo in Fargo, and it's the perfect little meal. Now it's time to perfect roasting these little green buds at home.

Some inspiration, as always:

Brussels Sprouts Salad with Avocado and Pumpkin Seeds.

Source: wholeliving.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Garlic Rosemary and Lemon Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts.

Source: hipsterfood.tumblr.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Lemon Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

Source: whatsgabycooking.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts.

Source: thefullflavoredlife.com via Bailey's on Pinterest

Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Pizza.

Source: shutterbean.com via KathyrnJane on Pinterest

Bacon-wrapped Brussels Sprouts:

Source: foodtruckfestivalsofne.com via Shannon on Pinterest

SavorySunday: Sweet potatoes

One of the best parts of autumn is sweet potatoes. I hate the people put off scooping up the root vegetable and then smothering its naturally sweet goodness with marshmallow goo. There are so many amazing ways to dress them up without covering them up.

With garlic cornmeal seasoning:

Source: blommi.com via Heidi on Pinterest

As the main ingredient in a veggie burger:

Source: kblog.lunchboxbunch.com via Heidi on Pinterest

In a delicious curry:

Source: myrecipes.com via Heidi on Pinterest

As an interesting chilli addition:

Source: milkfreemom.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Spiced up in falafal:

Source: mynewroots.blogspot.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Stuffed with goat cheese, grapes and honey:

Source: howsweeteats.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Mashed in hummus:

Source: wholefamilyfare.blogspot.com via Heidi on Pinterest

And even though this runs contrary to my introduction, included in cupcakes and topped with marshmallow frosting:

Source: annies-eats.net via Heidi on Pinterest

Good grillin'

One of my favorite things about our new house is that we have our own yard, and thus our own grill. We acquired my grandpa's grill shortly after moving in and have used it for almost every meal since.

So far, we haven't been too adventurous: steaks, chicken breasts, kabobs, roasted veggies. But I want to try so much more.

Last night we made pizza, and I learned a few pointers on what not to do. I'll bring you a tutorial on grilled pizzas soon, but in the meantime, here are some recipes I'm penciling in for our June menu:

Grilled shrimp tacos:

Source: realsimple.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Grilled cabbage wedges:

Source: thekitchn.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Grilled pork tenderloin with grilled peaches:

Source: simplyrecipes.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

Grilled eggplant:

Source: mazamag.com via Lynn on Pinterest

Grilled chicken satay:

Source: eclecticrecipes.com via Matthew on Pinterest

Grilled watermelon salad:

Source: foodnetwork.com via Hm on Pinterest

Grilled shrimp curry:

Source: jif.com via Korrie on Pinterest

Grilled dessert polenta and peaches:

Source: bhg.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Grilled Caesar salad:

Source: homemadesimple.com via Kris on Pinterest

Quick tutorial: Hard-baked eggs

 

Want to make hard-boiled eggs but unhappy with the way they turn out? Try baking them.
Place one egg in each hole of a muffin tin. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Submerge eggs in ice water for five minutes or until cooled. Carefully dry them with a towel, and you’re ready to decorate.

Source: inforum.com via She on Pinterest