So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Friday, October 18, 2013

How A Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe Can Turn The Holidays From Hell Into Heaven

By Chasity Sheppard


Having guests over for a meal can be very stressful, especially if you're not a natural born cook. Dessert especially can be trying because the recipes that are easy to make are often for something that's really not that impressive. With a good pumpkin cheesecake recipe, however, it's possible for you to wow you guests without having to wade your way through instructions so complicated you'd need to be a rocket scientist.

The humble pumpkin is a vegetable that is native to North America. It's a very good source of Vitamin A and beta-carotene but also contains a host of other vitamins and minerals. You can eat pretty much every part of it, from the seeds to the skin, and use it in everything from savory side dishes to spicy curries. It's a great ingredient to use in desserts too and pumpkin pie is one way to get children to eat their vegetables.

Another North American favorite is cheesecake. Variations of this dessert have been around since ancient times. Like squash, it's very versatile and you can make fruity versions, ones bursting with chocolate or even delicate variations where the cheese base is simply flavored with rose water. Normally the cheese required is a soft, white, cream cheese and eggs can sometimes be added to help firm it up and give it a richer taste.

When you combine two of the most versatile dessert foods, you get pumpkin cheesecake. It has a gloriously rich golden color because of the squash, pureed and mixed in with the cheese. Cinnamon and other spices are reminiscent of pumpkin pie but the cheese gives it a more tart, sophisticated taste.

While you may opt for a version that consists of filling only, the crust offers endless possibilities. Usually it's made of cookie crumbs and butter. Graham crackers are most commonly used but by varying the type of cookie, you can get an entirely new taste sensation. For instance, ginger snaps work especially well. A healthier and more sophisticated option is to finely chop up some nuts and use them instead of cookie crumbs.

Most recipes call for the cake to be baked and then left in the fridge for a couple of hours to set. There are no-bake recipes too, where you can skip the oven time. Whichever method you prefer, though, it's important not to cut the cake until it's completely set, or the filling will flow into the open space and our cheesecake will be sunken in places.

Relatives and friends are often a good source of recipes. However, you may also find recipes online or in recipe books. There are hundreds of versions, even for ones that use tofu rather than cream cheese so that the cake is suitable for vegans or people who are lactose intolerant.

Once you've found your perfect pumpkin cheesecake recipe, you'll have a foolproof way to impress everyone with your culinary skills. Serve the cake as dessert at Halloween or Thanksgiving for a new twist on tradition. Of course you can eat that slice of heaven any other time too. It's especially good for a late-night snack or with your morning coffee.




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