Elegantly Easy, Wickedly Delicious Dark Chocolate Bark With Figs And Nuts

(NAPSI)-Impress that special person in your life with a healthy taste of decadent Dark Chocolate Bark with Figs and Nuts. If you're new to bark, this chocolate candy ranks as one of the easiest and tastiest confectionary treats.

Simply melt chocolate in the microwave, stir in some chopped golden Calimyrna or dark purple Mission Figs and some chopped nuts, and spread the mixture on a foil-lined sheet. Chill and break into pieces. So easy, it's hard to believe. Variations abound--drizzling white chocolate over the top, sprinkling with toasted almonds or, for fig lovers, sprinkling additional chopped figs on top--all the variations are delicious. Wrap in festive cellophane with a decorative ribbon for a celebration or keep in an airtight container for everyday enjoyment.

The news keeps getting better. Dark chocolate is loaded with health-promoting antioxidants. Add to this the fact that California dried figs and nuts are great sources of dietary fiber and other essential nutrients and you have a treat that shows you care about healthy eating and know how to make it taste good. Indulge your sweet tooth, but remember that a little piece goes a long way. Share the recipe with friends and family and let everyone in on the treats that treat you well.

Valley Growers' Store is a great place to order figs throughout the year, and the Web site is a wealth of kitchen-tested recipes. Visit www.valleyfig.com.

Dark Chocolate Bark with Figs and Nuts

8 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) chocolate baking bar, broken into small pieces

½ cup stemmed and chopped (⅓ inch) Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid Figs

½ cup chopped (⅓ inch) salted or lightly salted mixed nuts*

2 ounces white chocolate, broken into small pieces

Melt bittersweet chocolate as package directs. Stir figs and nuts into melted chocolate. Spread on foil-lined baking sheet to thickness of about ¼-inch. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes. For white chocolate drizzle, melt white chocolate as package directs. Scrape into small plastic bag; seal bag. Snip tiny hole in corner of bag. Squeeze bag to drizzle chocolate over bark. (Or dip teaspoon in chocolate and drizzle over bark.) Chill 30 minutes or until firm. Peel bark off foil and break into irregular 1½- to 2-inch pieces. Store in airtight container at room temperature. Makes 24 to 28 pieces.

*Or chopped, toasted almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, cashews, walnuts or a combination.

Fig Almond Bark Variation:

Omit mixed nuts and white chocolate. Increase chopped figs to 1 cup. Melt bittersweet chocolate as directed above and stir in figs. Spread on foil as directed. Immediately sprinkle ½ cup toasted sliced almonds over chocolate. Press almonds into warm chocolate with back of spoon to secure. Chill and break into pieces as directed.

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Harry and David Issues Nationwide Allergy Alert on Undeclared Pecans in Harry & David Moose Munch Confection, Milk Chocolate Gingerbread

Harry and David, of Medford, Oregon, is voluntarily recalling approximately 400 1 lb. 4 oz. boxes labeled Harry & David Moose Munch Confection, Milk Chocolate Gingerbread because the package may contain a different Moose Munch product which contains pecans not declared on the ingredient statement. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to pecans run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

Affected product was distributed throughout the United States under the Harry & David brand only in Harry and David stores.

Harry and David is recalling 1 lb. 4 oz. boxes of Harry & David Moose Munch Confection, Milk Chocolate with a "Best if used by" date of 06/28/09. The "Best if used by" date is located on a sticker on the bottom of the box. The bottom of the box also has the stock identifying number RSD142014 printed on it. This lot of product was sold beginning 10/09/08. The popcorn-based confection is packaged in 1 lb. 4 oz. brown and white paperboard boxes. The boxes have a slight wedge shape and feature a large white moose image on the front. Inside the boxes are clear plastic bags of the confection.

There have been no illnesses or injuries reported to date. Anyone concerned about an illness/injury should contact a physician immediately.

This problem, which was discovered on October 21st, 2008, occurred because Dark Chocolate Butter Pecan Moose Munch® Confection was inadvertently packed in a Milk Chocolate Gingerbread outer box. It is estimated that fewer than 60 such boxes were produced.

Consumers with product may return it to any Harry and David retail store for a full refund. Consumers with questions about the recalled product may phone the Harry and David Customer Service division at 800-233-1101, 24 hours a day.

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The Hershey Company Announces Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Hershey’s Chocolate Shell Topping Due to Undeclared Almonds

The Hershey Company today announced a voluntary recall of 7.25-ounce plastic bottles of Hershey's Chocolate Shell Topping because they contain undeclared almonds. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The only 7.25-ounce bottles of Hershey's Chocolate Shell Topping affected have the code 69N printed on the back of the bottle below the UPC symbol. The UPC/Bar Code is 346000. The item in question was available for purchase nationwide after July 8, 2008.

No Hershey confectionery items or other shell toppings are involved in this recall. No illnesses have been reported to date. The product is completely safe for consumers who do not have an allergy or sensitivity to almonds.

Hershey issued the voluntary recall after a consumer reported the issue. The company immediately investigated and found that a small portion of a Heath's Shell Topping production run used bottles labeled Hershey's Chocolate Shell Topping.

Consumers who have purchased the item in question should contact Hershey Consumer Relations at 1-800-468-1714.

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