Prep time: 20 minutes / Total time: 30 minutes
- 1 ½ cups walnut halves (6 ounces)
- 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 cup dried sour cherries (4 ounces), coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
Preheat the oven to 350. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast for 8 minutes, or until golden and fragrant. Let cool, then coarsely chop.
Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. In a glass bowl, heat 2/3 of the chocolate in a microwave oven at high power in 30-second bursts until just melted. Stir until smooth. Add the remaining chocolate and stir until melted. Stir in the walnuts, cherries and crystallized ginger until evenly coated. Scrape the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it into a 12-by-8-inch rectangle. Refrigerate for 10 minutes, or until firm enough to cut.
Cut the bark into 48 pieces (6 rows by 8 rows) and transfer to a plate. Serve cold or at room temperature.
The bark can be kept in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature or refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Per serving: calories: 57, fat: 4g, saturated fat: 1g, carbohydrates: 6g, fiber: .7g.
Judy Caplan is a registered dietitian with a private practice in preventive health in Reston, VA. Her children’s book, Gobey Gets Full – Good Nutrition in a Nutshell, is now available. Visit www.gobefull.com for more information about Judy and her company, Nutrition Ammunition.
