Preparation

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. If you need to toast the nuts then preheat oven to 350 F - otherwise, skip this step.
2. If the nuts are raw - place them on the prepared baking sheet and put into the oven to toast until fragrant and lightly golden - about 5 minutes. Allow to cool then chop into coarse pieces. Wipe any dust off of the parchment paper and keep to reuse for the chocolate bark.
3. Place all but 1/4 cup the chocolate in a glass bowl and heat in the microwave for 1 minute, then stir. Continue to heat in 20-30 second intervals stirring after every time until almost completely melted - do not overheat as the chocolate will scorch. Alternatively - you can melt the chocolate on the stovetop over a saucepan of very gently simmering water or in a double boiler- making sure the the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl or get into the chocolate as water and chocolate do not love each other. Also be sure to wipe off the bottom of the bowl before spreading the chocolate onto the baking sheet to prevent any drips of water onto the chocolate. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of the chocolate to the melted chocolate and keep stirring as it will continue to melt as the bowl will still be warm. Keep stirring until smooth and glossy and completely melted.
4. Add the orange zest, and almost all of the dried cherries and the chopped nuts - reserve about 2 tablespoons of each to sprinkle on top.
5. Pour out onto a parchment-lined sheet pan, and spread in a thin layer (about the thickness of the fruit and nuts) and sprinkle with the reserved fruit, nuts, and salt, if desired.
6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. When set, break up into serving size pieces. Store in sealed container in refrigerator until ready to enjoy!
7. **Hazelnuts (and other nuts or seeds) are available already lightly toasted and without skins (husks) which is a great time saver.
8. Notes: This makes about 18 ounces or 3 cups. Vary the roasted nuts or seeds and dried fruit. Try roasted macadamia, walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds. Vary the dried fruit and try apricots, raisins, cranberries, pineapple, mango, coconut or candied ginger. Experiment with mixing and matching and have fun!
9. Does not meet MHealthy guidelines as there are no guidelines for sweet treats.