About Me

I live in a small poke town within an hour of the California coast where there are more vineyards than people with my husband and three children and various pets. James Dean's tree is within walking distance and the James Brothers were also known to ride these hills. I was born to the son of Lutheran missionaries and the daughter of Catholic hypocrites. I'm a Zionist. I was born and raised in California where liberal ideas become gods, and conservative ideals are evil. Unfortunately, it's illegal to have morals in California. I'm one of the evil ones. I take my frustrations out on my houseplants, all 300+ of them.

Recipes & Procedures


BERRY MARBLE CHEESECAKE

BERRY MARBLE CHEESECAKE

1/3 cup crushed graham crackers (about 5 squares)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 8-ounce packages nonfat cream cheese
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel (optional)
1/2 cup refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed, (or eggs to equal 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup seedless red raspberry preserves

  • Preheat oven to 375 degree F.
  • For crust, stir together crushed graham crackers and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Sprinkle onto bottom and 1 inch up sides of a well-greased 8- or 9-inch spring-form pan.
  • Set pan aside.
  • For filling, combine cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla, and, if desired, lemon peel in a large mixing bowl.
  • Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined.
  • Add the refrigerated or thawed egg product all at once, beating on low speed just until combined (do not over-beat).
  • Stir in milk.
    Pour filling into crust-lined pan.
  • Place spring-form pan in a shallow baking pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes for an 8-inch pan or 35 to 40 minutes for a 9-inch pan, or until center appears nearly set when gently shaken.
  • Cool in spring-form pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
  • Loosen crust from sides of pan with a thin-bladed knife or narrow spatula and cool 30 minutes more.
  • Remove sides of pan; cool 1 hour.
  • Cover and chill at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.
  • Top with nonfat sour cream and spoon on seedless red raspberry preserves; swirl with a spoon.

Makes 12 to 16 servings.