Orange Slices Dipped in Chocolate

I had oranges in the fridge, I had chocolate chips in the pantry, and I thought why not. I usually pack Eric a lunch for work and they've been pretty boring lately. I thought at least the chocolate covered orange slices would be a nice change. Now, he doesn't like salted chocolate or caramel. I, however, do. So I salted half the orange and left the other half plain chocolate.

Ingredients:
1 small orange
1/4 cup chocolate chips (I used sem-sweet because that's what I had.)
Sea salt, if desired

Directions:
Peel the orange and carefully separate the slices. 

In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and repeat as needed.

Dip half of each slice in the chocolate and place on a waxed paper lined plate or cookie sheet. Sprinkle with salt if desire. Refrigerator until the chocolate has hardened.

Eric said his little lunch surprise made him laugh--then he devoured them.

Enjoy!

~Krissy

More Fruit Recipes:
Yogurt-Covered Blueberries
Chocolate Covered Cranberries
White Chocolate Filled Raspberries
Chocolate Covered Cherries 
Candied Citrus Peels
Baked Apple Chips
Banana Chips

Spiced Cranberry Juice

I think I may have found a new winter tradition: spiced cranberry juice. The spices, the sweetness, the tartness, all perfect for a cold winter day. I've wanted to make this for a while, but I didn't want to spend the money on whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and other spices. This past fall, Eric mom gave me a carton of Aspen Mulling Cider Spices. Best gift ever. I could finally make spiced cranberry juice. I should have made spiced apple cider with them. I can only image how delicious it would have been. Next year I will for sure. I now kind of want to experience with mulled wine too.

Ingredients:
4 cups cranberry juice (not cocktail juice)
the juice of 1 orange
1/8 to 1/4 cup honey (depending how sweet you like it. I prefer tarter)
4 teaspoons Aspen Mulling Cider Spices

Directions:
Add all the ingredients to a stock pot and warm over medium-low heat for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve warm.

Even Eric who doesn't normally enjoy warm beverages couldn't believe how good this was. And when I'm craving something sweet that will warm me up, I finally have something other than hot chocolate to drink (I still love my homemade hot chocolate though!).

Enjoy!

~Krissy

2012 Christmas Baking List
Christmas Kiss Cookies
Tea Cookies
Cornflake Wreath Cookies
Candied Citrus Peels
Christmas Candy Corn
Homemade Chocolate-Covered Cherries
Sea Salt Nutella Fudge
Peanut Butter Fudge

Check out last year's baking list!