Fruit And Nut Almond Bark Food

CHUNKY CHOCOLATE FRUIT-AND-NUT BARK

Steps:

• Set a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure the bowl doesn't touch the water. Roughly chop chocolate and place in the bowl to melt, stirring frequently, keeping the heat very low. Chop toasted nuts; using scissors, cut dried fruit into small pieces. Finely chop candied ginger and/or orange peel. Place fruit and nuts into a large mixing bowl.
• Once chocolate is melted and smooth, take it off the heat and stir fruit and nuts into the chocolate. Gently stir to combine so the fruit and nuts are all combined with the chocolate. Line a pan with parchment paper that's been sprayed with a little oil. Sprinkle cocoa powder over parchment and then add the chocolate mixture. Spread it out in an even layer. Dust with more cocoa powder and place another piece of parchment paper on top. Let it cool down and set in the refrigerator, 1 hour.
• When chocolate is set, run a knife around the edge to remove from the pan. Break or cut into pieces to make chunky chocolates.

FRUIT & ALMOND BITES

Steps:

• Place 1-1/4 cups almonds in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Remove almonds to a shallow bowl; reserve for coating., Add remaining 2-1/2 cups almonds to food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Add extract. While processing, gradually add honey. Remove to a large bowl; stir in apricots and cherries. Divide mixture into 6 portions; shape each into a 1/2-in.-thick roll. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour ., Unwrap and cut rolls into 1-1/2-in. pieces. Roll half of the pieces in reserved almonds, pressing gently to adhere. Roll remaining half in pistachios. If desired, wrap individually in waxed paper, twisting ends to close. Store in airtight containers, layered between waxed paper if unwrapped.

NUT FRUIT BARK

Steps:

• Line the bottom and sides of a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with parchment; grease the paper and set aside., In a double boiler or metal bowl over hot water, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Stir in espresso powder and half the cherries and nuts. Spread into prepared pan; top with remaining cherries and nuts (pan will not be full). Sprinkle with salt if desired. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm. , Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

FRUIT AND NUT BARK (APRICOTS, ALMONDS, CRANBERRIES & GINGER)

Steps:

• Melt chocolate in a large double-boiler over just simmering water until barely melted. You want to avoid needing to re-temper the chocolate.
• Stir in the fruits and nuts. Pour out onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Let cool completely. Break into pieces and serve.

FRUIT AND NUT BARK

Steps:

• Toast almonds by baking at 325° for 8-10 minutes, until fragrant and golden (or leave raw).
• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Melt chocolate in a bowl set over hot water, stirring frequently until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup almonds, plus cherries and apricots. Scrape mixture onto prepared baking sheet and spread out with a spatula to about 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle remaining almonds evenly over top, gently pressing into chocolate to adhere.
• Chill bark until completely firm, about 2 hours. Break or cut into chunks and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day, or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

FRUIT AND NUT ALMOND BARK

Steps:

• Melt almond bark in a double boiler.
• Have ready in a large bowl, the raisins, walnuts and chow mein noodles.
• Mix this altogether carefully; pour the melted bark over this and mix carefully.
• Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.
• Let cool.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Using a pencil, draw an 8-by-10-inch rectangle on a piece of parchment paper. Turn the parchment paper over so the pencil mark doesn't get onto the chocolate and place it on a sheet pan.
• Place the pistachios in one layer on another sheet pan and bake for 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Place three quarters of the white chocolate in a heat-proof glass bowl and put it in the microwave on high for 30 seconds. (Time it with your watch for accuracy.) Stir the chocolate with a rubber spatula, return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds, then stir again. Continue to heat and stir in 30-second intervals until the chocolate is just melted. Immediately stir in the remaining chocolate and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring often, until it's completely smooth. (If you need to heat it a little more, place it in the microwave for another 15 seconds.)
• Pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment paper and spread it lightly to fill the drawn rectangle. Sprinkle the top evenly with the cooled pistachios, the cranberries, and apricots. Press the nuts and fruit lightly so they will set in the chocolate. Set aside for at least 2 hours until firm or refrigerate for 20 minutes. Cut or break the bark in 16 pieces and serve at room temperature.

WINTER DRIED FRUIT AND NUT CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Line small baking sheet with foil. Melt chocolate chips in medium bowl over saucepan of simmering water, stirring until melted and smooth. Pour melted chocolate onto foil, spreading with offset spatula to thickness of scant 1/4 inch. Scatter nuts and dried fruit over chocolate. Sprinkle with ginger. Sprinkle with fleur de sel. Chill until chocolate is firm, about 30 minutes. Peel off foil. Cut chocolate into irregular pieces. Serve bark slightly chilled.

SALTED FRUIT 'N' NUT BARK

Steps:

• Melt the dark and white chocolate in separate bowls suspended over pans of gently simmering water, stirring every now and then. Meanwhile, line a large baking tray with baking parchment. Leave the chocolate to cool for 10 mins.
• Pour the dark chocolate onto the tray and spread it into a rectangle, roughly 20 x 25cm. Drizzle over the white chocolate and create a swirled pattern by dragging a cocktail stick back and forth across the chocolate. Scatter over the nuts, fruit and sea salt, then leave somewhere cool to set.
• Break into shards or leave whole, wrap in cellophane or pack into a box, then tie up with ribbon. Will keep for 2 weeks.