When chocolate was announced as this month’s theme, I thought “not for me“. I’m a savory gal. But I hated to miss out on the challenge and the opportunity to shake up the pages of FOODalogue which have lain dormant for a month.

So, I played a game of “what if?” employing my usual methodology … whatever was on-hand.

The ingredients presented here created a flavorful and perfectly balanced salad. It was fresh and elegant enough to serve at a dinner party.

Salad Ingredients: Fresh hand-picked spinach, scallions, Medjool Dates, creamy blue cheese, crumbled bacon, slivered almonds.

Vinaigrette: White balsamic glaze, lemon juice, grated fresh ginger, ground red peppercorns, a mashed dark chocolate candy with a liquid coffee filling from Poland (it was in my Xmas stocking). Everything was whisked together and left to sit a bit.

Finishing Touch: Shavings from a Modica chocolate bar (brought back from my trip to Sicily this past October).

NOTE: The age of the chocolates speaks to how long they last in my kitchen. While I like chocolate (only dark), I don’t crave it and it can sit for a while. Next month, it’s bourbon and that presents an even bigger challenge. Not something I drink, Not something I have in my home bar.