first and formost: peppermint bark.
the most addictive most rediculous item in the land.
here is how i make mine:
6 oz. semi sweet chocolate
6 oz. milk chocolate (i mix the two together.)
12 oz. real white chocolate (callebaut if you can find it. but if not, just anyone that has cocoa butter as the main ingredient.)
1/8 teaspoon peppermint OIL (this is important. if you buy peppermint extract, you are going to need about a teaspoon or a little more. the peppermint oil is an extreme concentration. i use loranns.)
1 box of crushed up candy canes. i put mine in the food processor, because i am not into the chunks.
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melt your semi sweet and milk chocolate in a double boiler, stirring.
line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
after chocolate is melted, spread it in a thin layer on the parchment paper. this works best with an actual spoon. offset spatula for me was a bust.
put this in the freezer.
melt your white chocolate in a double boiler.
when melted add your peppermint oil. taste it and see if it is pepperminty enough for you. add a bit more if necessary.
take chocolate tray out of freezer, add the white chocolate on top, quickly. then add your crushed candy canes on top.
put in fridge until solid.
break into pieces and eat massive amounts for breakfast lunch and dinner package in nice jars and give to all the people you love the very most.
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so, the whole candied grapefruit dipped in white chocolate was rather.... meeehh.
so, i went another route.
as i had seen a recipe in ina garten's book back to basics, or maybe barefoot contessa at home... not sure.... with a nut and fruit bark, so i gave it my best shot with the candied grapefruit.
(truth be told, i really like candied orange peels better, but the selection of oranges at my co-op has not come into a good season just yet. january will be epic. blood oranges galore, i just know it.)
to make you need:
12 oz mixture of good chocolate, i like to mix semi sweet and milk.
1/2 cup of raisins
1/2 cup of salted cashews
1/4 cup of candied grapefruit peels, crystalized ginger, or really any dried fruits you can find. really.
coconut would be good.
ok, so melt chocolate in a double boiler.
when melted, spread onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
add cashews.
add raisins.
put in fridge and chill. break into pieces and give to your best buds.
hooray for holiday foods!!!