Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

8 oz. good quality semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 Tbs. ruby or tawny Port, optional
1 small package best-quality, tender shortbread cookies
1/2 pint fresh raspberries

Instructions:

1. Place chocolate in a metal bowl.
2. Bring cream to a boil in a small, heavy saucepan and pour over chocolate. Let stand for 3-5 minutes then stir until smooth.
3. Add port, stirring to combine.
4. Remove half the chocolate mixture to a separate bowl, cover loosely with plastic wrap and place bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice to chill just until mixture reaches spreading consistency.
5. Spread about a teaspoon of chocolate mixture onto the bottom of a cookie.
6. Nest three raspberries in the chocolate, pressing gently to adhere. Drizzle with some of the still-warm chocolate mixture and let stand until frm.