Robin Egg Bird Nests...3 ways!

I thought these bird nests were so very cute and would be really easy for Brenna (or any child for that matter) to help out with.  My problem was deciding which combination of flavors to choose!!  I found the original marshmallow/Chow Mein noodle combination on so many different websites that I couldn't possibly list where the origin came from.  Kind of like a Rice Krispie Treat sans Rice Krispies!  I love how the Chow Mein noodles really take on the appearance of little sticks.  Then it occurred to me that I have had some white chocolate chips sitting around forever that I really wanted to get out of my cupboard.  Those would be nice paired with some type of nut, but what type of nut could I use to resemble twigs?  Slivered almonds...hooray!  Then I thought, well if I'm making white chocolate I have to make some with regular chocolate...you know, just to be fair.  I love the chocolate-coconut flavor combination so I settled on some toasted coconut for the "sticks".  So why make 3 kinds?!?  Isn't that a little excessive?!?  Some might say excessive, but my indecisiveness says necessity!  Plus my final thought (actually to be honest, my final thought was of myself getting to sample all three creations...YUM) was that the white of the white chocolate, the tan of the Chow Mein noodles and the dark brown of the chocolate would nicely contrast each other on a plate.  So many thoughts...cooking is exhausting!!

Besides being one of the cutest things I've ever made, they are also one the easiest.  All you do is melt the bonding agent, stir in the ingredients acting as the sticks, press the mixture into the bottom of a greased muffin pan, refrigerate until hardened and then pop them out.  No baking required at all!!  Brenna really did have a lot of fun helping to make the Chow Mein ones, but then she lost interest and ran off to do something else...4 year olds and their attention spans!  I don't think I could rank them from most tasty to least tasty...they were all my favorites because they all had their own distinct flavor and texture.  I was very excited to pass these out to the neighbors along with the Cottontail cookies we made.  They really are to DYE for!  Just a little post Easter humor for you.  If it left a bad taste in your mouth, just make some bird nests! =)

Robin Egg Bird Nests (Marshmallow/Chow Mein Noodles)
*Recipe makes 12 bird nests

2 c. miniature marshmallows
1/4 c. unsalted butter
6 oz. Chow Mein noodles
Robin Eggs or Jelly Beans for decorating

In a saucepan melt the butter over low heat.  The Assistant Chef loves recipes in which she actually gets to cook over the heat...although those are very seldom found.

Add the miniature marshmallows and continue to stir over low heat until melted.

The marshmallow mixture.

Add the Chow Mein noodles...

and stir until the noodles are evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.

Divide the mixture evenly between 12 greased muffin cups.  Press the mixture down and up the sides, leaving an indentation in the bottom.  Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

When nests are hardened, pop out of the muffin cups and decorate with the Robin Eggs or Jelly Beans.

Robin Egg Bird Nests (Milk Chocolate/Toasted Coconut)
*Recipe makes 12 nests.
11.5 oz. milk chocolate chips (I like the Nestle brand the best because it seems to melt easily in the microwave, but you can use whatever brand you'd like.)
14 oz. bag of sweetened coconut flakes
Robin Eggs or Jelly Beans for decorating



Place the coconut in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet.



Bake in a 325 degree oven for 20 - 25 mins, tossing every 5 mins, until the coconut is crispy and golden brown.  Transfer to a separate container to cool.

Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat for 60 seconds, and stir.  Continue heating and stirring in 30 seconds increments until chocolate is melted and smooth.

Add the toasted coconut and stir well to evenly coat the coconut.

Evenly divide the mixture between 12 greased muffin cups.  Press the mixture down and up the sides, leaving an indentation in the bottom.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. 

When nests are hardened, pop out of the muffin tins and decorate with Robin Eggs or Jelly Beans.

Robin Egg Bird Nests (White Chocolate/Slivered Almonds)
*Recipe makes 12 nests.

11 oz. white chocolate chips
2 1/2 c. slivered almonds
Robin Eggs or Jelly Beans for decorating

Place the white chocolate chips in a large microwave safe bowl.  Heat in the microwave for 60 seconds and stir.  Continue to heat and stir in 30 second increments until white chocolate is completely melted and smooth.  Add the slivered almonds and mix to evenly coat the almonds.

Divide the mixture evenly between 12 greased muffin tins.  Press the mixture down and up the sides of the muffin cups, leaving an indentation in the bottom.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

When the nests are hardened, pop them out of the muffin cups and decorate with Robin Eggs or Jelly Beans.

Robin Egg Bird Nests...3 ways!

Recipe for: Robin Egg Nests (Marshmallow/Chow Mein Noodles)

www.momsaysjustonebite.blogspot.ccom

To prepare: Grease the insides of a 12 cup muffin tin with butter.  Recipe yields 12 nests.

Ingredients

Directions

2 c. miniature marshmallows ¼ c. butter 6 oz. Chow Mein noodles Robin eggs or jelly beans for decorations.

1.   In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. 2.   Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until   melted.  This will take approximately 6-8 mins.). 3.   Remove from heat and add the Chow Mein noodles.  Stir until the noodles are well coated. 4.   Divide the mixture evenly between the 12 muffin cups. 5.   Press down and up the sides leaving an indentation in the bottom. 6.   Place muffin tin in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. 7.   Pop the individual nests from the muffin cups and decorate with the robin eggs.

Recipe for: Robin Egg Nests (White Chocolate/Slivered Almonds)

www.momsaysjustonebite.blogspot.ccom

To prepare: Grease the insides of a 12 cup muffin tin with butter.  Recipe yields 12 nests.

Ingredients

Directions

11 oz. package white chocolate chips 2 ½ c. slivered almonds Robin eggs or jelly beans for decorations.

1.   Place the white chocolate chips in a large microwave safe bowl. 2.   Heat in the microwave for 60 seconds.  Remove from the microwave and stir.  Return to microwave and continue heating in 30 second increments until the chocolate is completely melted. 3.   Stir in the slivered almonds and mix well to completely coat. 4.   Evenly divide the mixture between 12 muffin cups.  Using the back of a spoon, press the mixture down and up the sides of the cups leaving an indentation in the bottom. 5.   Place muffin tin in the refrigerator for at least 1 hours. 6.   Pop the individual nests from the muffin cups and decorate with the robin eggs.

Recipe for: Robin Egg Nests (Milk Chocolate/Toasted Coconut)

www.momsaysjustonebite.blogspot.ccom

To prepare: Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Grease the insides of a 12 cup muffin tin with butter.  Recipe yields 12 nests.

Ingredients

Directions

11.5 oz. package milk chocolate chips 14 oz bag sweetened coconut flakes Robin eggs or jelly beans for decorations.

1.   Place the coconut in a single layer on a baking sheet. 2.   Bake the coconut for 20-25 mins., stirring every 5 mins, until coconut is crispy and golden brown. 3.   Transfer toasted coconut to a separate bowl to cool. 4.   Place the chocolate chips in a large microwave safe bowl. 5.   Heat in the microwave for 60 seconds.  Remove from the microwave and stir.  Return to microwave and continue heating in 30 second increments until the chocolate is completely melted. 6.   Stir in the toasted coconut and mix well to completely coat. 7.   Evenly divide the mixture between 12 muffin cups.  Using the back of a spoon, press the mixture down and up the sides of the cups leaving an indentation in the bottom. 8.   Place muffin tin in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. 9.   Pop the individual nests from the muffin cups and decorate with the robin eggs.