by Carol Boles

Instead of coloring eggs this Easter how about having your kids make edible chocolate Easter nests? These nests are easy to concoct and will look and taste just like the expensive candy nests you see in the stores this time of year. Best of all, your kids can help with these. They’ll have fun forming this chocolaty mixture into nests, then decorating each nest with jellybean eggs.

What you will need:

A double boiler
A medium size muffin tin
1 (14 oz.) bag sweetened flaked coconut
1 (6 oz.) bag milk chocolate baking chips
1 can chow mein noodles
1 (7 oz.) bag assorted jelly beans
1 Tbsp. solid shortening
Non-stick cooking spray

Directions:

In a double boil (or place a glass bowl over simmering water) melt the milk chocolate chips and one tablespoon of shortening. After mixture is completely melted, fold in flaked coconut and chow mein noodles. Gently mix together until thoroughly blended.

Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Spoon enough chocolate mixture into each section of a muffin tin to flatten along the inside of each section make a basket shape. Immediately press jellybeans (gently) into nest.

When all sections of the muffin tin have been filled with a “chocolate nest,” let them dry completely. While they last, display on a pretty dish covered with colorful Easter grass.

Makes approximately 24- 30 nests depending on your muffin tin.

Variation: These nests can be made with white chocolate baking chips as well. You can also add a couple of drops of either red or green food coloring to make pink or green nests from the white chocolate.

Happy Easter!

Carol Fraser Boles has a master’s degree in Special Reading and an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has more than ten years experience teaching K-12 reading in public schools. She now manages her own business and is a member of The Lieurance Group, a freelance writers cooperative. Find out more about her writing services at http://www.lieurancegroup.blogspot.com. or email her at Cwrites-56@hotmail.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Boles

Easter slide shows at Better Homes and Gardens present ideas for Easter crafts, Easter eggs and baskets, Easter recipes, centerpieces and more.

View the Easter Egg Activities slide show at Hallmark.com. Learn the meaning behind the Symbols of Easter and read the Story of Easter as told in the Gospel of Luke.

by Kael Geary

As Easter draws near, we’re often left scrambling trying to find the right ham recipe for easter dinner, or even the right demi-glaze to make for that ham. What about dessert? Surely you’re going to need a great dessert recipe, right?Well, I’ve included a couple of my own for your own use. Please feel free to use these recipes for your next family gathering and enjoy the feast that is sure to come.

1) Cinnamon Pork Roast Serves 6 Ingredients: * 3-1/2 to 4 pounds boneless center-cut pork loin roast * 2 tablespoons cinnamon * 2 tablespoons salt * 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper * 2 tablespoons sugar * 1 onion (about 1/2 cup), finely grated * 4 garlic cloves (about 2 tablespoons), minced * 1 or 2 tablespoons of soy sauce Recipe Properties:

Combine cinnamon, salt pepper, sugar, onion, and garlic. Blend in 1 tablespoon soy sauce. If not spreadable, add another tablespoon of soy sauce. Rub mixture into loin. Refrigerate 3 hours to overnight. Grill pork over medium-low indirect fire 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until the internal temperature is 155 degrees F. Allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting into thin slices.

2) Raspberry Glazed Ham Ingredients: 1 (4-5 lb.) fully cooked boneless smoked ham 2 tbsp. lemon juice 1/3 c. seedless red raspberry jam 1/4 c. dry white wine 2 tsp. cornstarch 1 tbsp. butter

Recipe Properties: Score ham in diamond pattern, if desired. Place on rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, in 325 degree oven for 1-3/4 hours. Meanwhile, in small saucepan, blend wine and lemon juice into cornstarch. Add about half of the jam. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Stir in remaining jam and butter. Heat and stir until butter is melted. Brush ham with raspberry glaze. Bake 10 minutes more. Spoon remaining glaze over ham. Garnish with watercress, if desired.

3) Scalloped Zucchini

Ingredients: * 2 small zucchini, cut up and peeled * 1 egg, beaten with one fourth cup whole milk * 1 ounce pepper cheese * 1 small onion, chopped * 1 to 2 slices white bread, torn in pieces * 1-4 ounce can mushrooms or 4 ounces fresh, sliced if large * 1 ounce smoked sausage Recipe Properties:

Mix all ingredients in a buttered casserole dish. Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes. Easy dish to make, goes great as a side dish.

As you can see, there are some great recipes to make for Easter. Go ahead and stop by http://www.easterrecipes.org to find more recipes along with pictures and reviews of your favorites as well as ones you’ve never heard of. Good eating this holiday!

About the Author

This article was prepared by Article Authors for this Easter Recipe Site Easter Recipes