January Menus

Better late than never right....

January 2010

16. Waffles, sausage
17. Chili, cornbread
18. Meatloaf, noodles, corn
19. Pasta
20. Tacos, spanish rice, corn
21. Lemon Chicken, rice, broccoli
22. Baked chicken, cheesy rice, peas
23. Salmon cakes, mac and cheese, lima beans
24. Shephards pie
25. Potato soup
26. Pork chops, stuffing, broccoli
27. Curried chicken
28. Eggs Benedict
29. Roasted Chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots
30. Wild rice and orzo casserole
31. Bean soup

Cheesecake MANIA

We were invited to spend New Years Eve with my friend Stephanie and her family. They were making dinner and different snacky foods. Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't show up for dinner at someones house with out bringing something. I just can't do it no matter how many times you tell me I don't have to bring something. Haha. So what did I bring....a Cheesecake...BOY did that ever start Cheesecake MANIA!! Since then I have been making cheesecake for everyone. Not a problem since I thoroughly enjoy it and it keeps me from eating them...haha....Anyway I thought I would show you how to make a cheesecake...

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup + 3 T. sugar
4 8oz blocks of cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla (oops forgot to put it in the picture)
4 eggs


You will also need a spring form pan. These things are so neat and it makes for a really authentic style cheesecake.
UGH...I don't know why this picture keeps posting sideways.

First make your crust by combining the cracker crumbs, 3 T. sugar and melted butter.


Combine well and press down into the bottom of your spring form pan.


Next beat your cream cheese (WAY easier if it is room temp) vanilla, and sugar until creamy.


Add in your eggs one at a time. (These should also be room temperature).


Make sure you scrape down the sides of your bowl so that you get everything incorporated. Now pour the batter into your spring form pan on top of the crust.


Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for one hour.


This is what it looks like. Loosen the rim of the pan (DO NOT remove it yet) and let it cool completely. Once cooled you can remove the rim and if you are daring move it to a serving tray. Put it in the fridge for at least four hours before serving.

Yes they crack and yes I am sure some people can make them without them cracking...I for some reason cannot anymore...I used to be able too...hmm Oh well.....This cheesecakes destiny.......WINCHESTER!

New Year!!

OK so I'm not the most studious person when it comes to keeping up with my blogs. BUT.......It's a new year and I am going to try....really HARD! Unfortunately this blog may have to wait awhile. I have no camera at the moment...BUT I promise to rectify that situation in the near future (okay maybe not NEAR future but in a couple of months). For now here are 11 food tips and tricks to start out your 2011 cooking off right....

1. Add a bit of sugar to your pancake and waffle batter...they will brown more quickly.

2. To keep your salad fresher longer cover the bowl with a damp paper towel and store it upside down (lid on of course please) in the refrigerator. (Learned this one from a woman at work)

3. Cream will whip up faster if you put your mixing bowl and mixer beaters in the freezer for a a bit first.

4. Use the wrapper off of the butter to grease a dish...It's less messy and less wasteful.

5. Crush dried herbs and spices in the palm of your hand before adding to your dish. This will reawaken the flavors.

6. Partially freeze meat that needs to be slice super thin. This will make the process SO much easier.

7. Put a mini marshmallow in the bottom of waffle cones to keep the ice-cream from dripping out the bottom. (Great trick moms!)

8. If you drop a piece of egg shell into your bowl use another piece of egg shell to fish it back out...It works so much better than trying to catch it with your finger.

9. Egg whites at room temperature will form stiff peaks WAY faster than ones straight from the fridge.

10. Unflavored dental floss makes cutting soft cheese and cheesecakes a breeze. Also it works to make layers out of a cake before it is frosted.

11. HAVE FUN cooking. Not everything is going to come out right, but that is okay...LAUGH and then MOVE ON.


Happy cooking in 2011 everyone!