Balsamic Roasted Grapes and Asparagus with Linguine

I know roasted grapes sounds kind of weird, but they are DELICIOUS! The flavor blends really well with the roasted asparagus and the other flavors of this pasta.

Adapted from Taste of Home

Ingredients:
~3 cups seedless grapes (red or black)
~balsamic vinegar
~olive oil
~salt & pepper
~1 pkg. (13.25 oz.) multigrain linguine
~1 bunch asparagus
~1/2 cup pesto
~2 cups spring mix salad greens
~ Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 425. Place asparagus and grapes on a baking sheet and drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Bake for 20 minutes, or until grapes start to wrinkle and burst.
3. Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
4. Return linguine to pot and toss with pesto and reserved pasta water. Add grapes, asparagus, and salad greens and toss. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Chocolate Chip Mug Cakes

The easiest dessert EVER. I'm not kidding. We adapted the original recipe by adding chocolate chips. We plan to try other types of chips (butterscotch, white chocolate, etc) and peppermint patties to create different flavors.

Adapted from Kirbie's Cravings

Makes 2 cakes.

Ingredients:
~4 tbs. all purpose flour
~4 tbs. sugar
~1/2 tsp. baking powder
~1 egg
~2 and 1/2 tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
~3 and 1/2 tbs. milk
~splash of vanilla extract
~3 and 1/2 tbs. vegetable oil

1. Combine all ingredients in a large coffee mug. Mix with spatula until smooth (chips will still be chunky). Pour half of batter into another mug.
2. Microwave (one at a time) on high for 1 minute.
3. Check with toothpick to see if done. If toothpick comes out clean, it's ready. If not, microwave for 30 seconds.
4. Cool for a couple of minutes and enjoy while still warm.