Three times in 7 days....it must be good!

  I know that TWD made Dorie's Tall & Creamy Cheesecake last week but this cheesecake (White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Bars) is really very good as well as being easy.  I had every intention of giving Dories' cheesecake a try. With their yummy photos and delightful descriptions both Jaime and Cristine had me convinced that I was crazy not to try it.  But when I mentioned to my family that I was making cheesecake but not the white chocolate raspberry one they complained so much that I went with it and saved the tall & creamy for another occasion.  One where I don't tell them what I'm making so there are no complaints! 

The last one I baked was for a New Year's Eve bash at my neighbors.  There was nary a crumb left over and I was told that I needed to make another one pronto, so I'm thinking it was good!

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Bars           by Kraft Foods

Prep Time:
20 min

Total Time:
4 hr 48 min

Makes:
9 servings (I got 16 but cut them into small pieces)

What You Need

12 OREO Cookies, finely crushed (I used 16, and not finely crushed)

2 Tbsp.  butter, melted (I added a smidged more)

3 (1 oz) squares of BAKER'S White Chocolate, divided (I used Ghirardelli)

2 pkg.  (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp.  vanilla

2 eggs

1/4 cup  red raspberry preserves (about 1/2 cup)

Now Make It

HEAT oven to 350ºF. Mix cookie crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 8- or 9-inch square pan. Melt 2 (I used 3oz ) chocolate squares as directed on package.

BEAT cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add melted chocolate; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.

BAKE 25 to 28 min. or until center is almost set. Cool 5 min.; spread with preserves (I warmed the preserves in the microwave so that it spread easier). Melt remaining chocolate square; drizzle over cheesecake. Cool cheesecake completely. Refrigerate 4 hours.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

*Healthy Living

Save 60 calories and 7 grams of fat per serving by preparing with Reduced Fat OREO Cookies, PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese and egg whites.

*How to Double Recipe, (they offered this suggestion online but I got the recipe out of their magazine otherwise I would have made a double!)

This recipe can be easily doubled. Just prepare as directed, doubling all ingredients and baking in 13x9-inch pan. Makes 18 servings.

~ingrid

LiveJournal Tags: cheesecake,white chocolate,raspberry

A Foodie's Dream Store

Have you guys heard of a "grocery" store called The Fresh Market?  If so how come you didn't tell me about it!!!  That place is pretty incredible.  Initially I thought I was going to a Whole Foods Market but when I got there is was actually The Fresh Market.  Besides being a beautifully laid out store and having a plethora of knowledgeable employees it has everything a gourmet wannabe could possibly need!  They had nuts, dried fruit, fresh cheese, and a variety of other delights which could be purchased in small amounts.  They had an assortment of imported olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Their bakery had an abundance of fresh baked bread and wonderful desserts, the kind that wouldn't make you think twice about buying one (you know what I mean, the "I can make that at home" thought).  They had a fabulous selection of honeys and preserves.  If you are looking for a particular bottle of wine or alcoholic beverage if they don't have it then it's probably not sold.  I found Ciao Bella Gelatos.  I got a coconut sorbetto.  They had MEYER lemons!  I bought three.  They also had blood oranges. I grabbed two.   (I need recipes that best showcase these fruits! HELP!)  There was a cool selection of spices and herbs sold in small baggies.  I finally purchased some cardamom.  I was able to purchase a small packet of it instead of a full bottle at $10.  Yay! Oh, and they had an olive bar.  There I cautiously bought a small serving of marinated feta cheese with kalamata and green olives and I also got an even smaller serving of fresh mozzarella cheese in olive oil, garlic, and herbs!  After snacking on them all evening (there now gone) I wish I had gotten healthier portions of each.  They were divine!  I'm pretty certain the patrons and employees there this afternoon thought I was a big dummy as I oohh'ed and aaahh'ed my way through the store.  The whole time I was there I kept wishing for my camera.   The only little tiny I problem I saw was that NOTHING was cheap.   That's definitely not the place you want to do your weekly groceries at but it wouldn't be too bad as a once a month place to get those foodie staples that last for a few months.  As Arnold said , I'll be BAACK!

Here's a couple of photos.  I meant to take one fresh mozzarella but unfortunately I ate those as I was taking photos of the other stuff and before I knew it they were gone!

  

LiveJournal Tags: info

I'm a weeenner!

In December Jamie of the wonderful blog My Baking Addiction hosted a holiday giveaway.  Guess who won?  Yup, me!  Here's what came in the mail the week of Christmas..........

Look at a close up of the jumbo snowflake sprinkles.  These are seriously jumbo!  :-)

       

The swirl chips have been long gone sprinkled on top of brownies to spruce them up a bit! As for the  food coloring, sprinkles,and cookie cutters they got quite the workout on Christmas Eve with Joe and Babygirl's Santa cookies (sugar cookies with lost of icing and sprinkles)!  Thank you Jamie for the AWESOME prize!   It all went to good use and the cookie cutters will be the "gift" that keeps on giving! :-)

~ingrid

LiveJournal Tags: thank you,giveaway

Happy New Year!

Sorry, I've kind of fallen off lately. I've been busy at home and at work as well as been sick. I'm trying to catch up with my reading of your blogs. I love reading (& drooling over) them and if its a choice between reading yours or posting something on mine, you win, I lose! While I enjoy blogging I still have a waaaaaaaaays to go before I'm happy with the quality of my blog, writing, and photos. I do think that I am progressing with my baking and am moving out of my comfort zone which I'm thrilled about. Just wish I could cut out eating so late. Oh, well, guess I better dust off the treadmill. (I'm hoping to find a Wii Fit)

With all that said and out of the way I wanted to take a moment to wish YOU the Happiest of New Years and may 2009 be filled with good health, yummy food, prosperity, and ease of mind! I know it's been a rough year for many.

Be safe!
~ingrid

Happy Holidays!

For those of you that celebrate Christmas, I hope this one is the merriest!

Changes, changes, changes!

I went ahead and purchased my own domain today. Sorry if things are kooky for the next few days. I am not certain what to expect or how much things will change but I'm thinking it should be for the better (& easier). I'm not what you would call computer savvy......Juliaaaaaaaa! But I have been fortunate in that Julia from a Dozen Flours has in the past helped me with answering questions and such. I'm hoping she takes pity on me and will help again! I'm also counting on YOU to throw in your two cents with helpful info from your own experiences and computer "know how". Hopefully there won't be too many bumps and that the change is an improvement. Keep your fingers crossed that I haven't just made a huge mistake and wasted $10! :-)

An award....Thank you, Duckie!

This award means: "This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I received this award almost two weeks ago and I apologize that it's taken me so long to thank The Blonde Duck from the blog A Duck in Her Pond and to pass it along to ALL of you!  I know it says chose 8 bloggers but it talks about propagating friendships and how better to do that than by passing it along to all of YOU!

LiveJournal Tags: awards

Greenies, just in time for Christmas!

Greenies are a play on Brownies and Blondies.  They are made using pistachios that you've pulverized in the food processor and the batter has a few drops green food coloring added to enhance its slightly green color. I originally saw this recipe months ago on The Crepes of Wrath.   Sydney actually called them White Chocolate Marshmallow Pistachio Brownies.  Is there anything in that name that wouldn't propel you to give them a try ASAP?  I don't know what took me so long but I'm happy Jalen and I took the time to make them.  Besides saying they were moist and tender, it's hard to describe their taste and texture properly, so, I won't.  Hopefully, my photos will encourage you to give them a try!    I didn't add the green food coloring so they aren't very green.

I almost forgot to tell you.  The pistachios I used were from Oh,Nuts that I received free from them several months ago.  I never opened the package and had them stored in the freezer! 

LiveJournal Tags: greenies,white chocolate,chocolate,marshmallows,pistachios,oh nuts