Chocolate Pistachio Fudge: National Pistachio Day

Today is National Pistachio Day. Pistachio Day is also January 26.  I posted all kinds of fun Pistachio Facts on that date, as well as a recipe for Pistachio Brownies. So many days and ways to celebrate this green nut! I love the combination of chocolate and pistachios for texture, color and taste. One of the easiest and most delicious recipes comes from Nigella Lawson. Here's a link to her short video (3 minutes): Nigella Lawson makes Chocolate Pistachio Fudge. This fudge recipe is simple to prepare and looks and tastes great! Don't want to watch the video? I've adapted her recipe. It's a snap!

Chocolate Pistachio Fudge

Ingredients
12 ounces 70 percent dark chocolate, chopped or 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
Pinch salt
1 cup shelled pistachios (I use about 1/2 cup)

Directions
Melt chopped chocolate, condensed milk, and salt in heavy saucepan on low heat.
Put nuts into freezer bag and bash with rolling pin, until broken up into both big and small pieces.
Add nuts to melted chocolate and condensed milk and stir well to mix.
Pour mixture into 9-inch square pan, smoothing top. (I butter the pan slightly)
Let fudge cool and then refrigerate until set. You can then cut into small pieces approximately 3/4 by 1 3/4 inches or cutting 8 by 8 lines in the pan to give 64 pieces.
Once cut you can keep fudge in the freezer. No need to thaw just eat straight away.

Of course this recipe also works with other nuts. Pecans, Walnuts--I've tried them all.

Variations:
Don't add pistachios to chocolate mixture. Just crush pistachios and sprinkle on top for more crunch.
Make truffles from semi-set chocolate fudge. Make into balls and roll in cocoa or more chopped pistachios! Yum. Chocolate Pistachio Truffles.

Celebrate Pistachios today!