Fruit and Nut Chocolate Drops

I haven't done a post since last year as I have been busy completing a professional wine course, but I am back and ready to give you a wonderful recipe for some homemade choccies!

I made these a lot at Christmas to give to friends as presents, they are so versatile and easy to make. You can change any of the ingredients to what you have available, and they look great too which is always a plus!

How to make: (makes about 24)

- 200g Good quality Dark or Milk chocolate

- Roasted Pistachios

- Mixed roasted nuts

- Dried Cranberries

- Other dried fruits

- Pinch of salt

(You can use any kind of nuts or dried fruit that you like)

Recipe: 

- Start by chopping up your nuts and dried fruit in to smaller pieces and arrange on a plate so you have them ready to use.

- Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Then melt the chocolate over a pan of boiling water (or in the microwave if you prefer). Leave to cool slightly.

- Drop spoonfuls of the melted chocolate on to the lined trays and then sprinkle over a little salt on each drop. Drop the chopped nuts and fruit on top and then leave to set in the fridge- about an hour should set them.

- I put the chocolate drops in to clear bags and tied them with a bow- perfect for a present at any time of year!

* You don't have to use fruit and nuts at all, I have used mini marshmallows, chopped up chocolate bars and sprinkles on them which work great too. 

Photo how to:

Enjoy! 

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Vegetable Samosas

Following on from my birthday dinner, I made these vegetable samosas which are also vegan! 

I used My New Roots recipe, which you can find here:

http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2013/05/fully-loaded-spring-samosas/

They were really delicious, and I like the fact that they are made using rice paper! (I managed to get the rice paper in Whole Foods). They have a lovely indian flavour, and are unusual as they have desiccated coconut and chopped nuts inside! Try them for yourself and see!

Here are some pictures of me making my veggie samosas, but follow the link above to see the original recipe and how to. 

These are the rice paper sheets that I used for the samosas.

This is the veggie mixture- it tasted great on its own!

Here I am putting the filling on to the rice paper halves before folding up.

These are the veggie samosas all rolled up and ready for baking. 

I didn't get any photos of the finished product unfortunately as they were so scrummy we ate them too quickly! 

Enjoy! 

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