From the Fireplace Channel
Happy holidays from me and my friend, Max, keeping it classy.
Tag: Winter
Egg Nog Cheesecake
I’m going to a Christmas party tomorrow and was at a loss as to what to bring. I did the pie thing at Thanksgiving. There are wheat allergies, so gingerbread is out, and I’m tired of the same old chocolatey mousse stuff I bring every year. Sorry, I can’t skip the wheat completely for this occasion, but I’ll cut it down with a little cheesecake.
In the spring, I made the most delicious cheesecake, from one of the most delicious recipes here. This is my take, with an egg nog twist. Keep in mind, the secret to great cheesecake is for all the ingredients to be the same temp, so make sure the cream cheese and eggs have the chill taken off before you start.
You need:
– half a stick of butter
– 1 package of Trader Joe’s eggnog cookies
– 24 oz. cream cheese (3 packages)
– 4 eggs
– 2 T flour
– 1/2 c. sugar
– 1/2 c. egg nog
– 1 t vanilla extract
– pinch of salt
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Make crust. I used egg nog cookies instead of graham crackers. Combine entire package with 1/4 c. melted butter (1/2 stick). No need to add any sugar, the cookies are sweet enough.
If you don’t have a food processor, a blender works well. (Needs to be quite powerful for cream cheese mixture.)
3. Pack crumb mixture into the bottom of a greased springform pan, pulling the edges up the sides. Chill while you mix the filling.
4. Mix cream cheese, sugar and flour in a food processor. (I keep my sugar in a jar with dried vanilla pods for more flavor and a heavenly scent.)
5. Add eggs, egg nog, vanilla and salt. Mix until combined.
6. Pour into prepared crust. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until center jiggles when the pan is wiggled.
Another great piece of advice from the joy of baking- slice around the edge of the pan as soon as you take it out of the oven. It prevents the surface from cracking as it cools. I forgot to do this and my cheesecake has a huge crack in it; too big for me to photograph the final! Luckily, an ugly duckling cheesecake still tastes delicious.
The Christmas Bough
Last night I got invited with my friends Daisy and Trout for a trek in the woods. The goal? To find the perfect Christmas bough. We went armed with supplies. Initially, we got sidetracked and built a fire out of poison oak sticks. Then we …
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Hiking with my uncle is amazing because he can identify animal tracks. I may need a little help on some of these- the first one stumped us because of the dragged foot, so it was probably from the little pomeranian running ahead of us. Want …
Last Day in Yakima Valley
What a wonderful day! I went for a hike with my aunt and uncle. I wish you could have been there, so here are some pics from the afternoon.
An odd sign in the bathroom.
I must admit, a volcanic rock may have ended up in my pocket.
Beer and vittles in Ellensburg on the way back.
Then to Redmon Memorial Bridge to take in the view.
Exploring the Yakima Valley
I looooove Washington. It reminds me of northern Wisconsin. So much is devoted to hunting and fishing, the outdoors, the wild. Ben and Martha took me to Trout Lodge, an adorable inn and restaurant with owners who sat down to chat with us between their …
Hiking the Coyote Trail
At the end of my first full day in Washington, my uncle and I decided to take in the hoar frost and go for a walk. It turned into a hike. Uncle Ben lifted up a barbed wire fence and we borrowed a coyote’s trail. …
Capturing Hoar Frost From a Moving Car
I know I just got back from Colorado, but it seemed time for another adventure and my itchy feet were ready to go. For the first time, I’m visiting the northwest to see my aunt and uncle in Washington. The first leg is getting through Oregon. I say that like it’s a chore, but it has been one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever experienced.
The world became very frosty just north of Madras. Dipping your trees and high desert grasses in sparkly hoar frost is not a bad way to greet a girl you’ve never met. I was on a deadline, so I stuck my camera out the window to see what I could get. Oh, and did I mention this was also along the original Oregon Trail?
Nice to meet you, Oregon. So glad this time, I’m not struck with smallpox like I was during the computer simulations in grade school.
Absolutely Scrabulous
I’m 30 years old and I just learned to play Scrabble. I know, it’s like meeting a college kid who doesn’t know how to drive. I’ve resisted board games for years because of my propensity to being a sore loser. Since I’m trying to cross …