Makeover!

I'm sure you have noticed the new look around here....and if you didn't its ok, I won't tell anyone. I figure if I am taking this seriously ( which if you have seen the cheesecake, you will realize I am!) I better get a more professional look going. I stumbled upon these two amazing blogs : Mystylebackgrounds and Kevinandamanda. Mystyle has really cool backgrounds for all you bloggers out there, and Kevinandamanda  has the most unique fonts. I am amazed at the talent that is out there. I had such a good time looking through all the fonts, and downloading a million new ones. So thank you fellow bloggers for pulling through for us, and I hope you enjoy the new look.

Heaven on a spoon

Really there is no name that would do this cheesecake justice. Let me tell you, I love cheesecake. I don't announce it to the world ( although now I am) but I am pretty picky on cheesecakes. I have tasted many homemade cheesecakes. And I always gush over how good they are. But a lot of times they are "eh, ok." But this one really raises the bar quite a bit. Rich, decadent and creamy. I am sure there is some sort of science to the ratio of cheese:eggs:sugar, but the magic in this cake is the combination of flavors. Cheesecake....peanut butter....caramel....brownies. It really is heaven on a spoon. So instead of ranting and raving, allow me share some pics with you, but let me warn you, you may need some tissues...

*drool*

You might want to move away from your keyboard now...

*sigh*

In case you missed the caramel...

What? You want the recipe? Are you sure? Its kinda deadly. In a diet killer kind of way. Oh well, if you insist...

Peanut Butter Caramel Cheesecake

1 *gasp* brownie mix

1 egg

1 tablespoon cold water

2-8 ounce packages cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup dark karo syrup

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

1 tablespoon vanilla sugar

Mix brownie mix with egg and water. Pat into a 9 inch springform pan.* Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. ( It will look undercooked.) Let cool. In a small saucepan, combine karo syrup, peanut butter and vanilla sugar. Mix over medium heat until smooth. Pour 3/4 of caramel mixture over brownie crust. Put in the freezer to set for 20 minutes.  Mix cream cheese, sugar ,2 eggs and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Pour on top of caramel. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes, center will be jiggly. Turn the oven off and leave inside to cool for about an hour. Remove and let cool completely in the fridge. Drizzle with remaining caramel, and chocolate glaze. (Recipe to follow.) To get a nice drizzle, pour either glaze into a sandwich size ziploc bag, and snip off a small piece of the corner, drizzle over the top.

Chocolate Glaze

1 cup powder sugar

2 heaping tablespoons cocoa

2 tablespoons oil

2 tablespoons corn syrup

2 tablespoons milk or soy milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix everything together. It should be slightly thick, similar to a brownie batter. Heat in microwave for 30 seconds. Stir well, until smooth. If it is too thick, add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time. Note: The glaze recipe is really " a little of this and a little of that " kind of recipe. I tried my best to estimate the measurements that I use, but I almost always end up adding some more milk or powder sugar to get it to the right consistency.

* Ok, so I admit it, I have no idea how to use a springform pan. I actually didn't use one for this recipe, although you are supposed to use a springform pan when making a cheesecake. So, if you know how to use one, by all means please do. But if you are ignorant in these matters like me, you can use a 9 inch pan. To get a pretty slice, use a disposable pan, and slice the side of the pan open when you slice the first slice so you can slide it out of the pan backwards.

BBQ in a snap

 

So yesterday we had an awesome barbecue, and I thought I would share it with you! And the cool part is we threw it together in less than 20 minutes! So here's what we had:

A: Chicken Breast and Hotdogs in Hunts Honey Mustard Barbecue Sauce

B:Yummy fresh corn

C:Crinkle Cut French Fries....Stop and Shop special

D:New Kosher Special Sweet and Sour Sauce

(Incidentally the best Chinese restaurant in the world)

E: Spicy Sweet Potato Fries

F.Three Bean Salad

G: Coleslaw

H: Hamburger Chips Dill Pickles

Recipes

Spicy Sweet Potato Fries
3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into french fry shapes

Pam cooking spray

Garlic Powder

Salt

Cumin

Cajun Seasoning

Heat oven to 450. Spread sweet potato slices in a cookie sheet in a single layer. Spray slices with pam. Sprinkle seasonings over. Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are soft.

Three  Bean Salad
1 pound  fresh green beans*

1 can chick peas ( garbanzo beans)

1 can baby corn

1 red onion, diced

4 stalks celery, diced small

3 tablespoons vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Bring 4 inches of water to a boil. Meanwhile, trim green beans. When water is at a strong boil, pour green beans into the water. Let the water return to a boil, and cook uncovered for 6 minutes. Pour green beans into a colander, and rinse with cold water. Put green beans in a bowl and add the rest of ingredients. Mix well.
*If you are in a hurry you can use two cans of canned green beans.

This is a great recipe for coleslaw that I got from my good friend DT. It comes out perfect every time! Thanks DT!

Coleslaw
1 bag Dole coleslaw

1/2 cup mayonaise

1/2 cup sugar

1/4  cup vinegar

splash of lemon juice

Mix everything together.

Enjoy your BBQ!