We have three boys in high school and none of them eat as nutrient dense diet as we would like. I’ve been trying to come up with some ideas for snacks they will take on the run so I decided to mix up a big batch of trail mix. I had bags of nuts and jars of soaked (and then dried) nuts in the cupboard so I mixed up a batch. It included (all organic, of course :):  Pecans, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Almonds, Sunflower Seeds, Raisins, Dried Apricots, Mango and Cranberries. You can of course use what you like and have on hand.

Then I decided to use some of the trail mix to make a batch of fruit and nut bark.  It’s really easy.

Fruit and nut bark

Ingredients:

1 – 12 oz bag Organic Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 to 1 ½ cups trail mix

1 sheet pan, covered with a layer of parchment paper

Directions:

Melt chocolate.  You get do this in a double boiler or in the microwave, either way takes only a few minutes.  If you melt it in the microwave use a glass bowl.  You can also use a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water but be very careful that you don’t get any water in your bowl, even a drop and the chocolate will be ruined.

Mix the trail mix into the melted chocolate and then pour the mixture onto the parchment paper covered pan. Using a spatula spread the chocolate/trail mix mixture out until it’s an even flat layer.

Put the pan into the refrigerator for a half hour or so until the bark is completely cooled.  Then break the bark into bite sized pieces and store the bark in a closed container in the refrigerator.  It was a big hit, and so easy to make.

Read more great, Fight Back Friday posts here: http://www.foodrenegade.com/fight-back-friday-april-23rd

Read more great, Pennywise Platter Thursday posts here: http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2010/04/pennywise-platter-thursday-422.html

Read more great, Real Food Wednesday posts here: http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2010/04/real-food-wednesday-42110.html

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