Brownie Bottom Cheesecake

I love having a reason to bake something for a celebration. Recently a coworker got a promotion and I think that is a perfect reason for a special treat. And this brownie bottom cheesecake was definitely a special treat.


Brownie Bottom Cheesecake
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adapted from Cupcakes, Cookies & Coffee Cakes

brownie bottom:
1/2 c. butter
4 oz. semisweet bakers chocolate, chopped
1 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 c. milk
1 c. flour

cheesecake:
18 oz. cream cheese (2 1/4 packages), softened
2/3 c. sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. sour cream

Melted chocolate, for drizzling

Melt butter and chocolate in large pan over low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth. Remove from heat and beat in sugar. Add eggs and milk, beating well. Stir in flour and pour into a greased 9 inch springfoam pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly while preparing cheesecake. For cheesecake, beat together cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Stir in sour cream, then pour over brownie bottom. Bake in 325 degree oven for 45 minutes, or until the center is almost set. Let cool before removing for the pan. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours for cutting. Drizzle with melted chocolate.

Cranberry Orange Vodka

Even though I posted the Cherry Vanilla Vodka a couple weeks ago, my adventures in flavoring vodka actually started with Cranberry Orange Vodka. I have made this vodka several times, for fun, for gifts and upon request. I enjoy making this vodka and look forward to experimenting more with different flavors, but the funny thing is, I don't even like vodka.

Cranberry Orange Vodka

Super Bowl Party

I had every intention of posting my Super Bowl recipes last night, but I was just too tired. Maybe it was all the fun I had on Sunday. And I have to admit, there was way more eating and socializing than watching football and commercials.

Meatballs
3 lbs. ground turkey breast
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. fresh parsley, chopped
2 t. dried oregano
Salt and pepper
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 c. red wine
29 oz. can tomato sauce
2-15 oz. fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 T. garlic powder
1 T. dried basil
1 T. dried oregano
1 t. marjoram

Season ground turkey with garlic, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix well and shape into about 48 meatballs. Bake in 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, or until cooked through. In large pot, saute onions and peppers for 5-6 minutes. Add wine, and let reduce for 3 minutes. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, basil, oregano, marjoram, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Add meatballs and let simmer for 30-45 minutes.


Spanikopita bites
2 pkg. phyllo dough shells
1 c. thawed and drained frozen spinach
5 wedges Original Laughing Cow cheese
1 c. feta cheese
Salt and pepper

Mix together spinach, cheeses, salt and pepper. Fill each shell. Heat in a 350 degree oven for 6-7 minutes.

Ravioli Lasagna

Last night we had some friends over at my parents' house. I've come to realize that I love to have dinner parties. I like planning the meal and figuring out when I need to start different parts of the meal so it all finishes when everybody arrives. I love having people over and enjoying a meal together. And in my excitement (or as my boyfriend, Stephen calls it, my WooHoo Moment) of everyone arriving and us starting dinner, I did not get very many pictures taken. But it was all very good, and we had a great time.

Ravioli Lasagna

* I used all ground beef and only 2 packages of frozen ravioli, and it still made a LOT of lasagna.

Bruschetta

4 tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1 onion, chopped

1 large garlic clove, minced

1 T. dried Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper

1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil

1 T. balsamic vinegar

Combine all ingredients. Make a day ahead and keep in refrigerator for flavors to blend.

Buckeye Cookies

My best friend's husband went to college at Ohio State. So they threw a party yesterday for the Ohio State vs. USC game. This is the second time that they have had a party for an Ohio State game, and the second time that I have made these cookies. They were a big hit. The outcome of the game is another story.

Buckeye Cookies

adapted from cooks.com

1 1/2 sticks butter, at room temperature

18 oz. smooth peanut butter

1 bx powdered sugar

1 T. vanilla

1 t. water, optional

1 pkg chocolate almond bark

Using electric mixer to cream butter and peanut butter. Slowly mix in powdered sugar and vanilla. If the filling seems dry, add water. In bowl, melt almond bark over a pot of simmering water. Roll peanut filling into balls, dip in chocolate so a small amount of filling is left exposed to resemble a buckeye. Let almond bark set up.

Baby Shower

I have another niece on the way. So, of course, for Kris' baby shower, I provided the food. I wanted the food to be simple, elegant and miniature. And yes, I'm a dork who loves a food theme (get it... miniature... baby shower... small versions of... oh, never mind).

I made mini Italian sandwiches, hummus, fruit skewers with a fruit dip in mini plastic martini glasses and lemon meringue babycakes (oh, come on, that's cute!).

Mini Italian Sandwiches

I took pesto and mixed it with canned artichokes in the food processor. On foccacia bread I used the artichoke pesto, turkey, provolone, lettuce, red onion and tomato.

Hummus

2 cans chick peas, drained and rinsed

2 cloves glaric, finely chopped

juice from 1 lemon

2 T tahini

2 T water

salt and pepper

extra virgin olive oil

Add all ingredients to food processor, except olive oil. Process for 30 seconds, then stream in olive oil until you get your desired consistency.

Fruit Dip

16 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 container marshmallow creme

1 t. vanilla

Mix well.

Lemon Meringue Babycakes

Pulled Pork and Cole Slaw

I'm always looking for a reason to have a party with my friends. The latest party was for a friend whose boyfriend moved to a different city for a job. I told you, I look for a reason to have a party.

I cooked the pork overnight in my slow cooker. The next morning, it was so tender, it just fell apart. The Cole slaw recipe comes from a family friend. It's a great mayo-free slaw.

BBQ Dry Rub
8 T. brown sugar, tightly packed
3 T. kosher salt
1 T. chili powder
1 t. paprika
½ t. ground black pepper
½ t. Old Bay seasoning
½ t. rubbed thyme
½ t. onion powder
½ t. dry mustard

Mix well.

Cole Slaw

2 bags Cole Slaw

sunflower seeds

sliced almonds

1 package chicken flavored ramen noodles

1/3 c. white vinegar

1/3 c. oil

1/2 c. sugar

Mix vinegar, oil, sugar and flavor packet from ramen noodles. Toss well with Cole slaw. Top with sunflower seeds, almonds and crushed, uncooked ramen noodles.

Jewelry Party

My best friend, Kelly makes jewelry, and I cook (aren't we talented girls...). So, our friendship is filled with great earrings, tasty food and lots of wine. Doesn't that sound like a party waiting to happen?! And that's exactly what we did, threw a Jewelry Party.



I love making appetizers for parties. Since people were looking at jewelry at this party, I wanted to make cutesy finger foods that could easily be eaten. I made dates, stuffed with Gruyere cheese wrapped in prosciutto; cucumber cups with diced tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onions, feta cheese and drizzled with balsamic vinegar; smoked salmon canapes with creamy pesto and topped with capers; and grape tomatoes stuffed with olive dip.

Earrings were purchased, food was eaten and lots of wine was consumed. I would say that was a very successful party.