Dark Chocolate-Chunk Plum Biscotti

We are so fortunate to have a dear family member named Eileen. She's a CPA and Tax Specialist, and she works very long hours trying to get everybody's everything in a straight line! She has a super sense of humor, is a pretty straight forward Gal that wouldn't think twice about telling one where they needed to head in. We adore her!
We had a great time a couple of weeks ago attending a surprise party one of her milestone birthdays.

Chocolate Chunk-Tart Cherry Cookies!

These so deserve an exclamation at the end of the title! They are just the right combination of sweet-tart dried cherries and chunks of fabulously dark Callebaut Belgian chocolate. These pretty much easily shame a well known manufacturer's recipe. Since there are several out there I'll let you guess which one to yourself.

The flavor is absolutely superior, they are buttery, just the right amount of sweet, and enhanced even further by the fruit and chocolate additions.

Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette Dressed Chicken Salad

I was looking for something tart-sweet, creamy and lemony so I had to put this together. It was absolutely sublime for our simple fresh chicken salad. It has been so sultry lately that cooking and eating something hot was just out of the question. And besides, I was out of luscious Rhubarb Mousse!

Rhubarb Mousse

Yummmmm! This dish can easily replace dinner on those hot nights when cooking just seems like it’s too much bother. It’s so cool and creamy, and just seems to hit the right spot for when you need something delicious, but it’s just to hot to cook!

Cheesecake With Brandied Apricots

Is there anything that can outclass cheesecake? You can dress it up, or leave it plain and it is stupendous either way. My absolute favorite is a lovely piece of plain New York style, piled high in an ever so slightly sweetened, buttery graham crust, topped with a gorgeous rim of tart pure sour cream. And nothing, absolutely nothing needs to accompany it. No chocolate (I know, bite my tongue!), no fruit, liqueurs, just plain and simple. : }