I am a huge fan of trail mix. However, sometimes GORP (good ol' raisins and peanuts) just doesn't quite cut it. For a hike this past weekend in Rocky Mountain National Park, I mixed together a bunch of mixed nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate chips. Typically I'd include a handful or two of M&Ms, but couldn't quite find the justification for all those artificial colors--so I opted to substitute in some high-quality chocolate chips instead. While an ideal snack for a high-intensity activity such as hiking down a trail, for the most part, trail mix is not something to snack upon casually. Something I need to keep trying to remind myself as I hear it calling to me from the kitchen cupboard . . .
Susan's Deluxe Trail Mix
makes 4+ servings
3/4 cup mixed nuts (the mix I used had pecans, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and brazil nuts)
1/4 cup diced dried fruits (I was feeling a little lazy, so bought a Sun-Maid mix of dried apples, raisins, golden raisins, plums, cherries, peaches, and apricots)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup high-quality chocolate chips (I used Ghiradelli, tho Guittard would work great, too)
1. Add all of the ingredients into a quart-size plastic bag (or whatever container you plan to hold your trail mix in.)
2. Gently shake the container to mix all the ingredients.
3. Enjoy out on the trail!