dn work

splitter.rb

  class String
    def split_to_array
      encoding_options = {
          :invalid           => :replace,  # Replace invalid byte sequences
          :undef             => :replace,  # Replace anything not defined in ASCII
          :replace           => ' ',        # Use a blank for those replacements
          :universal_newline => true       # Always break lines with \n
      }
      string = self.encode(Encoding.find('ASCII'), encoding_options)
      string = string.split("\n").delete_if {|x| x.empty?}
      string.length > 2 ? string : string.split(". ")
    end
  end

s = "Directions:\n\nPlace all ingredients together in a microwave safe dish.  Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until apples are tender.  Stir and serve!\n\n\n" 

s.split_to_array