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


Tomato Chutney Cheesecake

Tomato Chutney Cheesecake

2 c shredded Cheddar cheese
4 or 5 green onions, finely sliced
4 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened & divided
Cornbread crackers
1/2 tsp ground red pepper
1 to 2 Tbsp. milk
2/3 c red tomato chutney (recipe follows)
Garnishes: sliced fresh chives or green onions, cherry tomato halves
Assorted raw vegetables

  • Beat 3 packages cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, & red pepper at medium speed with an electric mixer until mixed & smooth.
  • Stir in green onions.
  • Spread half of cream cheese mixture into an 8-inch round cake pan lined with plastic wrap; spread top this with tomato chutney, leaving a 1/2-inch border of cream cheese around outside edge.
  • Spread remaining cream cheese mixture over chutney & cream cheese border.
  • Cover up & chill at least 8 hrs or up to 24 hrs.
  • Invert cheesecake onto a serving platter; remove plastic wrap.
  • Stir together 1 Tbsp. milk & remaining 1 package cream cheese, stirring until spreading consistency & adding extra milk, if needed.
  • Frost top & sides of cheesecake.
  • Serve with vegetables & crackers.
  • Garnish, if desired.

Red Tomato Chutney


3 large onions, finely sliced .
1 1/2 tbsps plain flour .
1 lb sugar .
1 tbsp English mustard powder .
1/2 pint malt vinegar .
salt .
1 tbsp curry powder .
1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) .
2 lbs tomatoes, peeled & sliced

  • Place the sliced tomatoes & onion In a large-ish dish or colander & cover with salt.
  • Leave for a few hrs to drain off the liquid.
  • Put the tomatoes & onions in a saucepan & add three quarters of the malt vinegar & boil for five mins.
  • Stir in the sugar.
  • Meanwhile mix the flour, curry power & cayenne pepper, mustard powder, if using, into a smooth paste with the remaining malt vinegar.
  • Add the paste to the pan & let simmer carefully for one to one & a half hrs.
  • To test whether the chutney has reached the required consistency, draw a wooden spoon through the mixture: it should leave a clean path with no free liquid showing.
  • Seal in warm jars.
  • The finished chutney should be mellow for at least 6-8 weeks before eating.