For fun food Friday, let's talk candy. One of my favorite candies when I was a kid was Nestle Crunch. There was something about those little puffs of crunchy rice in the chocolate that brightened my tummy. Sadly, they don't make a vegan Nestle Crunch.
However, my frown has now turned into a smile because I found organic crispy Quinoa in the bulk foods section at Whole Foods Walnut Creek. Oh yes, crispy Quinoa! Whole Foods had crispy rice too, but crispy Quinoa has more protein, and talk about fun.
For chocolate, Enjoy Life's Semi-sweet Chocolate Mega Chunks are the best! Remember those incredible vegan chocolate chip walnut cookies I made?
To healthify my bark, I added walnuts and pistachios for protein, antioxidants and omega-3's. Not only is this bark vegan, it is also gluten-free and soy-free. See candy can have health benefits!
This bark is so easy to make and no baking is involved! If you want to make bark for a party or as a gift, it is better to temper the chocolate so it stays solid and looks polished. My version is quick and dirty, but the chocolate can start melting a bit once it's no longer cold.
Ingredients (makes a 8" x 8" bark square):
- 1 bag Enjoy Life's Semi-sweet Chocolate Mega Chunks
- 3 tbsp Crispy Quinoa
- 2 tbsp chopped pistachios
- 2 tbsp chopped walnuts
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Pour chocolate chunks into a microwave safe bowl.
Melt chocolate chunks for 30 seconds and mix chocolate with a big spoon. Melt for another 30 seconds and mix chocolate. Repeat this process until the chocolate is all melted and smooth. Melting and mixing the chocolate in 30 second increments helps prevent the chocolate from over-cooking.
Pour in the crispy Quinoa and walnuts and mix until well blended.
Pour chocolate mix onto the baking sheet and form an 8" x 8" square. You can make a a smaller or bigger square depending on how thick you want your bark.
Sprinkle on top of your bark the chopped pistachios and any extra crispy Quinoa left. Gently run your spoon over the bark to slightly bury the pistachio pieces into the chocolate.
Put baking sheet in the fridge, and chill for an hour. Break bark into smaller pieces and enjoy!
Store any extra bark in the fridge.
