Welcome to The Urban Spork’s culinary laboratory! Ok, it’s really just a place for us to share new recipes, old favorites and kitchen experiments. Food is never just about the recipe – it’s about the way we use it to celebrate life. From everyday pleasures to big occasions the recipes matter, but it’s what the food says that really counts!
COOK
Chocolate Dipped Fruit
Now this is my kind of candy! This Chocolate Dipped Fruit has got to be one of the easiest recipes on this site. From start to finish, you can be done in about 10 minutes – not bad at all for a treat that’s this delicious. As you can see from the photos, I chose to use one of my favorite dried fruits – apricots, but it also tastes great on dried papaya, mango or even fresh strawberries.
Ingredients
- 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
- dried fruit (apricot, mango, papaya) or fresh strawberries
Directions
To make tempered chocolate – chop the chocolate into pieces and place 4 oz. in a small glass bowl and microwave for 20 seconds. Stir the chocolate and continue to microwave for 20 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth and shiny (it took me about 80 seconds total). Add the remaining 2 oz. of the chocolate and stir until smooth. The chocolate should register 87° F to 89° F on a candy thermometer.
Dip each piece of fruit into the tempered chocolate and place on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Refrigerate for 2 minutes to set.
adapted from a recipe found here
Beef Chili
The arrival of Fall means the beginning of soup and stew season – one of my favorite times of the year! While I constantly look for new and interesting recipes, there is no denying that you can’t beat the classics. This Beef Chili is the ultimate cold weather meal – a little spicy, full of flavor [...]
Maine Lobster Rolls
Spicy Dill Pickles
Lemon Yogurt Cake
Apricot and Honey Jam
As you may know, I have a longtime obsession with jams and jellies and am always looking for new, interesting, spreadable combinations. A resource that I always go to (and one of the most interesting cookbooks I own) is Mes Confitures, by Christine Ferber. Throughout the book, Ms. Ferber not only shares her secrets to [...]
Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise
This delicious vanilla bean Creme Anglaise (English Cream) has a rich, smooth texture and can be served either warm or cold with cakes, pies, puddings or my personal favorite – drizzled over fresh fruit. Not only is this cream easy to make, but it’s the perfect addition to your favorite summertime dessert. Makes 2 cups [...]
Lemon-Rosemary Pickled Green Beans
Spinach, Roasted Garlic & Goat Cheese Dip
A few weeks ago I ordered this dip for the first time from a neighborhood restaurant. I expected something similar to a traditional spinach dip, but was pleasantly surprised at what I received. This version is much more creamy than a typical spinach dip and the roasted garlic really enhances the flavor. I really like [...]
Roasted Garlic
Roasted garlic is amazing – sweet, caramelized, spreadable – endless culinary possibilities! Not only does it add great flavor to your favorite dips or vinaigrette, but you can eat the warm, toasty cloves right out of the garlic head. I like to spread the garlic on a piece of crusty baguette. Depending on how I [...]





