Together cream cheese, dried sour cherries, a small amount olf brown sugar, toasted pecans and splash of lime juice create a delicious appetizer spread.

Cherry-Pecan Cream Cheese Spread

1 cup dried cherries

1 cup water

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans

1 tablespoon fresh lime juices

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest

1. In a small saucepan simmer cherries in water until liquid is reduced to about 1 tablespoon. Remove pan from heat and stir in brown sugar; cool mixture.
2. In a bowl whisk together cream cheese, pecans, lime juice, zest and cherry mixture until spread is combined well.
3. Serve spread with scones or crackers.

Makes about 3 cups.