Weekend

Weekend

Posted by Brit

Last weekend was a good one. I surprised my best friend. Saw a kick ass show. Good people.

Here are a few pictures...

You can't beat the cat hugs.

Dark Chocolate Spiced Rum Cheesecake

Dark Chocolate Spiced Rum Cheesecake

Posted by Brit

This recipe can't be beat as far as chocolate cheesecakes go.  It's one of the recipes that I make that I always get good ingredients for and don't skimp on the fat.  Sometimes you just have to give in, and if you do, you won't regret it with this one.  The chocolate is Ghiradelli bittersweet baking chocolate; the rum is Captain Morgan.  The cream cheese and sour cream don't contain the words "no fat" or "low fat".  The result is one you won't want to pass up, and your guests won't either.

I've been dying to make this one and put it on the blog, but this isn't one that Brandon and I should share the whole thing between the two of us.  Today we're celebrating my mother's birthday.  The perfect occasion since she can't get enough of this stuff!

This recipe comes straight from the Williams-Sonoma website.  I didn't change a thing.  And just a suggestion, check out their recipe search.  It will make you happy.

Gino Cofacci's Chocolate Rum Cheesecake

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 Tbs. granulated sugar
• 4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling:

• 6 oz. bittersweet baking chocolate
• 1/4 cup rum
• 1 lb. cream cheese
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 Tbs. vanilla extract
• 4 extra-large eggs

 

Directions:

 

Position a rack in the center of an oven and preheat to 325ºF. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and cover the outside with aluminum foil, shiny side out.

In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar and stir to mix. Add the butter and stir until blended. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom and halfway up the sides of the pan. Refrigerate until ready to use.

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the chocolate and rum and melt, stirring often, about 1 minute; set aside.

 In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add the superfine sugar and continue beating until blended. Then beat in the sour cream and vanilla extract. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

 Remove the bowl from the mixer and set it over a pan of simmering water but not touching the water. Warm the mixture, stirring constantly, until completely smooth and very creamy, 2 to 3 minutes.

Pour 1 1/3 cups of the batter into another bowl and set aside. Add the chocolate mixture to the remaining batter and whisk until blended. Set the bowl back over the simmering water and stir until creamy and smooth.

Pour the chocolate batter into the prepared pan. Gently pour the plain batter over the top and make swirls in the batter with a fork. 

Bake until the cake is set around the edges and the center is still a little loose, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool to room temperature, remove the rim from the pan and refrigerate overnight.

Serves 10 to 12.

And for a few pics from the celebration today!

Baked Ziti.  Recipe courtesy of Cassi!

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Sunday Funday

Sunday Funday

Posted by Brit

After being fed continuously throughout the holidays it feels good to cook again.  My third meal I cooked this weekend was simple and delicious.  Homemade pizza.  A little Modelo doesn't hurt on a Sunday afternoon either.

Cold Weekend

Cold Weekend

Posted by Brit

On Friday Darren and I went to Kirby's to watch Joey Henry and Cecelia Raheb play.  Darren hadn't been to Kirby's before, so it was cool to show him the place.

Yesterday I asked my friend Cassi over at the blog Laughter and Lattes for a few casserole recipes.  Cassi and her husband, Dave, are parents of one with one on the way.  Her blog chronicles their life, raising their daughter.  She's cooking great food along the way!  I suggest you check out her blog for some awesome recipes.  All three recipes she sent me looked delicious so we decided to make one last night.  We made the Chicken Noodle Soup Casserole, but I'll be making the other two very soon.  The other two she sent were Baked Ziti and Mexican Lasagna.  Here are a few pictures from last nights meal.

 

The smell of the carrots, celery, onion and garlic is amazing.