'CALM BEFORE THE STORM' ~ DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

"Many of the phenomena of Winter are suggestive of an inexpressible tenderness and fragile delicacy. We are accustomed to hear this king described as a rude and boisterous tyrant; but with the gentleness of a lover he adorns the tresses of Summer."

~ Henry David Thoreau

DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

~ Rich, dense, classic ... a forkful or sliver will not kill!

(favorite treat adapted from Bon Appetit - Oct 2006)

_________________

Crust:

24 Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers

1 Tbsp. sugar

1/4 cup melted unsalted butter

Filling:

10 oz. high-quality chopped bittersweet chocolate

4 (8-oz.) packages (room temperature) Philadelphia cream cheese

1 1/4 cups plus 2 Tbsp. sugar

1/4 cup Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder

4 large organic eggs

Topping:

3/4 cup whipping cream

6 oz. chopped high-quality bittersweet chocolate

1 Tbsp. sugar

Bittersweet chocolate curls

• Crust: Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Butter 9-inch springform pan with 3-inch high sides. Blend cookies in processor until finely ground; blend in sugar. Add melted butter and process until well blended. Press crumbs evenly onto bottom (not sides) of prepared pan. Bake just until set, about 5 minutes. Cool while preparing filling. Maintain oven temperature.
• Filling: Stir chopped chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water; cool chocolate until lukewarm but still pourable. Blend cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa powder in processor until smooth. Blend in eggs 1 at a time. Mix in lukewarm chocolate. Pour filling over crust; smooth top; Bake until center is just set and appears dry, about 1 hour. Cool 5 minutes. Run knife around sides of cake to loosen. Chill overnight.
• Topping: Stir cream, 6 oz. chocolate, and sugar in heavy medium saucepan over low hear until smooth. Cool slightly. Pour over center of cheesecake, spreading to within 1/2 -inch of edge and filling any cracks. Chill until topping is set, about 1 hour. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover with foil and keep refrigerated)
• Release pan sides. Transfer cheesecake to platter. Top with chocolate curls. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving. (12 servings)
  

~ 'Icy blue' Hubbard Lake

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW! ~ SNOW STORM MARTINI / SNOWBALL MARTINI

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas ... perhaps ... means a little bit more."

~ Dr. Seuss (1904-1991)

From 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas'

~ Winter Wonderland

(Today's surprise snow storm)

_______________

SNOW STORM MARTINI

2 oz. Vodka

1 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

1 oz. White creme de cacao

Crushed ice

Combine all ingredients in mixing glass. Add ice, stir to chill,

and strain into your martini glass filled with crushed ice.

_________

SNOWBALL MARTINI

1 oz. Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka

1 oz. Van Gogh Espresso Vodka

1 oz. Van Gogh Coconut Vodka

splash of light half & half

Shake all ingredients with crushed ice. Strain into a martini glass.

'OH, THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL ... BUT THE SCENERY IS SO DELIGHTFUL!' ~ THE FIRST SNOWFALL

~ Snowy Michigan postcard beauty

~ Following 'landmark' white pine home

_______________

The First Snow-Fall

The snow had begun in the gloaming,

And busily all the night

Had been heaping field and highway

With a silence deep and white.

Every pine and fir and hemlock

Wore ermine too dear for an earl,

And the poorest twig on the elm-tree

Was ridged inch deep with pearl.

~ James Russell Lowell