Monday, April 12, 2010

You want fries with that?


Summer Sangria


This recipe is easy, but beware, it is going to go fast!  We ended up needed two batches.  So, I would recommend just doubling the recipe immediately if you are planning on hosting more than 5-6 people.
Summer Sangria {from MarthaStewart.com}
Ingredients:
  • 4 oranges
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1 bottle dry red wine, chilled
  • 2 lemons
  • 2 cups club soda
  • ice cubes
Directions:
  1. Juice 2 of the oranges.
  2. Slice the other two oranges and the lemons and set aside.
  3. In a large punch bowl, combine orange juice, sugar, and brandy; stir well to dissolve sugar.
  4. Add wine, orange slices, lemon slices, and seltzer; stir to combine.
  5. Add ice.

Strawberry Bullseye Cheesecake


The pink layers were flavored with strawberry jam and essence. Overall, this cheesecake isn’t too sweet. The crust is a perfect balance to the richness of the cheesecake. I made some strawberry and blueberry compote to go with the cheesecake too.

Ingredients for the crust:

2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
¾ stick/6 tbsp of melted butter
2 tbsp of sugar

Ingredients for the filling:

2 block of 8 oz cream cheese (I used 1/3 fat free cream cheese)
1 can of 14 oz condensed milk
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
3 eggs
2 tbsp of flour
4 tbsp of sour cream
4 tbsp of strawberry jam
½ tsp of strawberry essence
A few drop of pink coloring

1. Line ann greased an 8” spring form pan with parchment paper. Wrap the outside of the baking pan with some aluminum foil. This is to prevent water from seeping in while baking. Pre-heat the oven to 325 degree F.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix the crumbs, sugar and melted butter together. Press it firmly into the bottom of the baking pan and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove and set it aside. Begin to boil a large pot of water for the water bath.
3. Meanwhile, cream the cheese and condensed milk until well mixed. Add in eggs one at a time. Mix until incorporated and scrape down the bowl occasionally. Add in the flour, sour and mix well.
4. Add in the lemon zest and lemon juice. Mix well. Take ½ of the cheesecake batter and place it in another mixing bowl. Stir in the strawberry jam, strawberry essence and a few drop of the pink coloring. Mix until well combined.
5. Drop about 4 tbsp of the white batter to the middle of the baking pan. Follow by the pink color mixture on top of each other. Proceed to do the same to the rest of the batter. Do not stir, swirl or shake the pan. The batter will spread on it own.
6. Place the baking pan into a larger pan and pour boiling water into the larger pan until halfway up the side of the cheesecake pan. Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until the center is set. Do not over bake.
7. Turn off the heat and leave the cake in the oven with the door ajar for 45 min. Remove the cake from oven and chill for 4 hours or overnight before serving.


Icebox Cheesecake


    Source of Recipe


    Sandee Kay Downhour -Southern Living, JUNE 2008

    Recipe Introduction


    A summery mix of fresh-picked berries adds a sweet burst of flavor to this versatile cheesecake pie. Create a new twist by pairing the filling with a Chocolate Butter Cookie Crust or a salty Pretzel Crust. Substitute mascarpone cheese for cream cheese or top with sliced peaches and pitted cherries. Any choice is a good one! When you’re ready to serve, use a sharp, thin-bladed knife to cut through the filling and crust, then insert a pie server underneath each slice and lift from the pan.

    List of Ingredients




    1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
    1 cup powdered sugar
    1 (8-oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    1 baked Butter Cookie Crust or
    baked Pretzel Crust*
    4 cups assorted fresh berries, pitted cherries, or sliced fruit
    1/2 cup seedless blackberry jam
    1/4 cup orange liqueur

    Recipe



    1. Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Fold in whipped topping and vanilla; spoon into prepared crust. Cover and chill 8 hours.

    2. Arrange fruit over cream cheese filling. Stir together jam and liqueur; drizzle over fruit.

    Mascarpone Pie: Substitute 1 (8-oz.) container mascarpone cheese for cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar for powdered sugar, 2 cups whipped cream for whipped topping, and 1 baked Chocolate Butter Cookie Crust for Butter Cookie Crust. Prepare recipe as directed.

    *PRETZEL CRUST---

    Yield: Makes one 9-inch crust


    Ingredients
    2 cups finely crushed pretzel sticks
    1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
    3/4 cup melted butter
    Preparation
    Stir together all ingredients; firmly press crumb mixture on bottom, up sides, and onto lip of a lightly greased 9-inch pieplate. Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack, and cool crust 1 hour or until completely cool before filling.