Nothing says “I love you” more than candy! Ok that’s a load of crap, but having someone care about you enough to make that candy from scratch? Now that is love.
Despite being head-over-heels for my husband, I am not a big fan of Valentine’s Day. I don’t like forced romanticism, big expensive bouquets of roses aren’t really my thing, and don’t even get me started on trying to find a babysitter and go out for a nice dinner on that “lovers-only” evening. I’m totally happy having a quiet dinner that my husband made for me (a dinner in which I did none of the shopping or cooking; ahem, husband, are you reading this?), then snuggling on the couch, nibbling on some dark chocolate bark, and watching a great movie. Perfection!
Despite how I, or even you, might feel, this dark chocolate bark is a good way to someone’s heart. Gilded with bits of candied orange, tangy orange peel, and salty-sweet pistachios, it is both gorgeously colorful and irresistibly delicious. You probably won’t be able to stop eating it. (But you really should, at some point.)
Once you make it and let it set, break it into pieces then find a memorable way to present it: in a colorful cellophane bag tied with a big ribbon or raffia or in a paper-lined metal tin or box.
Have fun trying different combos, such as toasted almonds and mini marshmallows, pecans and chopped dried apricots, or peanuts and ancho chili powder.

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Bark with Salted Pistachios and Candied Orange
Makes about 2 1/2 lbs bark