Chocolate Martini

2 small orange wedges
A little finely grated dark chocolate or a mixture of equal quantities cocoa powder and confectioners' sugar
2 fl. oz. vodka
1 oz. dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids
1 fl. oz heavy cream
Ice cubes

Rub the rim of a well-chilled martini glass with one of the orange wedges. Dip it in the grated chocolate or cocoa powder and confectioners' sugar mixture. Chill the glass and the vodka bottle thoroughly. Put 1 oz. dark chocolate in a small bowl with the cream and microwave on low power until melted. Stir until smooth. Pour the vodka and melted chocolate mix into a cocktail shaker, add plenty of ice cubes, and shake well. Strain into the chocolate-rimmed glass and serve decorated with the second orange wedge.

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Recipe from 500 Cocktails by Wendy Sweetser. I had my first chocolate martini last night and absolutely had to recreate it!! This recipe qualifies as a dining hall friendly because all of the necessary ingredients (except the vodka, of course) can be found at your local cafeteria of choice. I used a mixture of melted dark chocolate (with half-and-half) and chocolate syrup with the vodka and rimmed the glass with chocolate syrup and dark chocolate shavings. Best hint: make too much...and then drink the leftovers!

Broccoli Salad

(tasted, not tested)

broccoli florets
sunflower seeds
raisins
bacon bits
mayo sauce

I'm not sure yet what's in the mayo sauce. (I'm starting to think I should devote my summer to sauces, so I have an easier time figuring out what's in all this stuff!) It's on the sweet side, but it's definitely got some mayo in it, or a really interesting cream of some kind. I also feel like I'm missing an ingredient...I ate this like three hours ago, although admittedly my brain's been a bit fuzzy since then. Maybe ND Food Services will put it in my boxed midnight lunch for tomorrow. Instructions for this are mix and add whatever you want. Sound familiar? I'm thinking a cheesy sauce would be really good too...maybe provolone? Or a ranch/bleu cheese. I'll experiment.

Dining Hall-friendly Chicken Salad

(tested and approved)

chicken breast
mayonnaise
half an apple
celery

optional:
spinach
zucchini
buffalo sauce
nuts
shredded cheese

Cut and mix. Enjoy on a very thick slice of wheat bread (personal preference).

Notes: No, it's no different from chicken salad you can get at Arby's or any grocery store...but it consists entirely of ingredients found in our dining hall. Trust me, the ready-made stuff isn't nearly as tasty as the apple & celery version. I also like mixing in whole spinach leaves and cooking (or microwaving it) just till the chicken's hot, the cheese is melted, and the spinach is spongy. It's a great dorm snack for cold winter nights. (And carb free!)

Jazzy J is my usual test-taster. Rag on him if you disagree with the evaluation of deliciousness.