CHEF JEFF — ONE BYTE AT A TIME: Magic Chocolate Mint Bark

Here is one of those do-it-yourself recipes that is so rewarding.

Magic Chocolate Mint Bark

1 10-ounce package dark chocolate and mint morsels

1/3 cup toasted almonds or broken pretzel pieces (optional)

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Sprinkle chips onto baking sheet lined with foil, arranging so they are touching each other in single layer. Bake for 1 to 3 minutes, until chips are softened, shiny. Remove from oven, place on wire rack. Immediately swirl with tip of knife to create marbled look. Sprinkle with almonds. Hold baking sheet 3 inches above counter. Drop to settle nuts into melted chocolate. Refrigerate until firm. Break into pieces. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Yield: 18 small pieces.

Variation: Substitute peanut butter and dark chocolate morsels for the mint.

Approximate nutritional analysis per piece: 92 calories, 53 percent of calories from fat, 5.7 grams fat (2.9 grams saturated), no cholesterol, 0.5 grams protein, 10.6 grams carbohydrates, no fiber, no sodium.

Grab more food tidbits at the Chef Jeff blog at GrandForksHerald.com.

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