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Pack a batch of this irresistible stuff into a fancy dollar store tin, attach a small stuffed monkey or some plastic jungle animals, and you've made a gift that everyone can enjoy. If nuts are a problem, substitute an equal quantity of a mixture of raisins, dried cranberries and chopped dried apricots.
340 g semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp solid vegetable shortening
2 cups mixed unsalted macadamia nuts, cashews and coarsely chopped Brazil nuts
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper. Set aside. In a saucepan set over a pan of simmering water (or in the top of a double boiler, if you have one), melt the chocolate with the shortening, stirring until smooth. Have your child stir in the nuts, then pour the mixture onto the prepared pan. With a spatula, pat the mixture so that the nuts are in a single, even layer - not piled up in lumps. Refrigerate until the chocolate has hardened. Carefully pry the cooled bark off the paper, then break into chunky pieces and pack into boxes or tins. Store at room temperature.
Variation: This can be made with milk chocolate or white chocolate instead of semi-sweet, if you prefer. Or make some of each! Yes - you can please everyone, as it turns out.
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