Category: Travel into My Kitchen!

Super Bowl Cheesecake Plus Other Critical Prep Activities

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PhotoGirlTravels.com Cheese Cake

With the Super Bowl just a few days away, you need to get your things in order. Many of you know I live in Los Gatos – which is spitting distance from San Francisco – so you probably know which team I’ll be cheering for (if I make it back from the mall on time – seriously, I’m just kidding…or am I?) First, you’ll need to memorize a few facts to ensure you are the life of the party. Second, your game attire should be defined days in advance (I am catching you just under the wire). And finally, you need to figure out what you’ll take to the Super Bowl Party. Regardless of your team, I am serious about leading the charge on these three items starting with some quick facts.

#1: Super Bowl Facts you Must Memorize

  1. First venue: Memorial Coliseum, LA
  2. First MVP from the Losing Team (I’m not even sure how that’s possible) Chuck Howley, Dallas
  3. First team that failed to score a TD (Oh, for God’s sake) Miami Dolphins, Super Bowl VI
  4. First time a winning player said “I’m going to Disney World” (now this one will make you sound like a genius) Super Bowl XXI, Disney paid MVP Phil Simms $75,000 for an “impromptu statement” (I also hope they gave him a pass as they are quite expensive)
  5. First person to win the game as a player and a head coach: Mike Ditka

#2: Next, what to don during the big game??? What you wear is super important (And, I DO believe men think about this days in advance)  First, I would recommend wearing something loose to allow for “expansion-room” to help accommodate for the beer, wings, burgers, chips, beer and yes, double layer cheesecake you’ll eat. If anyone is too embarrassed to ask and are wondering what colors to wear – I’m here to help. First, if you don’t care which team wins, then please wear red/gold/black. If you have no idea which colors go with which team then pay special attention: 49ers: Red/gold/black. Ravens: Black/gold/red. 😉 Girls, I’ve just been informed that “loose” isn’t good so you’ll have to starve and wear something sassy.

#3: As for what to bring? (Always a bit stressful) Well stress no more! This year you should bring the double layer cheesecake which I’m going to teach you how to make. This has been passed down from one generation (my Mom) and it is killer. Not only can anyone make this, it will be the most amazing cheesecake you’ll ever eat.

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Here is Mama Spray’s Double Layer Cheesecake Secret Recipe

Crust

You can either use a pre-made graham cracker crust (sorry Stéphane!) or use this receipt:

  • 1 ¼ C graham cracker crumbs
  • ¼ C melted butter
  1. Combine crumbs and butter
  2. Press into buttered 8” pie plate, building up the sides

Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • ½ C sugar
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • ½ t vanilla
  • Dash of salt
  • 2 eggs
  1. Beat cream cheese until fluffy
  2. Gradually blend in sugar, lemon juice, and salt
  3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each
  4. Pour filling into crumb crust
  5. Bake at 325 degrees for 24-30 minutes or until set

Top

  • 1 C sour cream
  • 2 T sugar
  • ½ t vanilla
  1. Combine sour cream sugar and vanilla
  2. Spoon over top of pie
  3. Bake 10 minutes longer
  4. Cool
  5. Chill for several hours

Finish – Serve with strawberries or cherries

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Photo of my Mom and me! <;3

PhotoGirlTravels.com with Mom

Please use the following to identify color pallet for dress attire…(red looks good on everyone)

49ers2

My Sister’s Amazing Lox & Bagels

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My sister is one of the best cooks I know. She is super creative in the kitchen so each meal is a unique experience. I woke up this morning to the smell of sautéed onions and jalapeños (we are from New Mexico so in our family we think you’re in heaven when we happen upon those smells)  As I wondered out to her kitchen in sweats and oversized socks, I found a devine cafe crème and the makings of this incredible bagel. <3

Here is what is in on this whole wheat, everything bagel (noted in photo):  Cream cheese, smoked salmon,  sliced onions, cornichon pickles, tomatoes, sautéed jalapenos, capers, cilantro and fresh squeezed lemon. If you’re looking for a New Year’s day breakfast this would be perfect! I hope everyone enjoys your New Year’s eve day.  My sister made green chile enchiladas for lunch so I’ll share that recipe next!  Click to FOLLOW and you’ll be the first to receive her amazing recipe.

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Pecan Dream Cookies…Stop Living in Fear!

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You’ve been invited to a party and the host asks you to “bring a dish” – words that ignite horror, even in the bravest of men. You face your fears and make something. Sure you won’t eat it at the party, you still load it into your car. You arrive a little late. The room is abuzz. With the speed of an over-caffeinated chicken, you weave your way over the goodies table. Careful to not make eye contact you slip your plate toward the back. You got lucky this time. No one saw and therefore “that dish that remained untouched” is never linked to you. If this story sounds familiar then I say STOP THE MADDNESS! I am about to disclose a secret recipe passed down from generations that will make YOU the most sought after person for every party. I must warn you, it could change your world. Soon, distant friends and acquaintances (for god’s sake, maybe even the UPS man) will be begging you to attend their parties, asking you to bring “those” cookies! (Click “view the pictures” to see the secret recipe)

pecan dreams

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Healthy Eggnog

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One look at a glass of eggnog and you can feel your pants getting tighter. Some of it’s so thick, it’s almost impossible to suck it through a straw. You’re left holding your head back stuggling to get that last thick glop at the bottom of your glass. Well, stress no more! I ran across this healthy eggnog recipe and wanted to pass it along. In fact I’m sipping it as I type and I must say it’s devine. So here is how you make it:

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Bacon Wrapped Turkey: You Know You NEED It

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Did you know that in a “lighthearted” survey 23% of men ranked bacon as their favorite fragrance?  I’m personally not surprised as I am one of the most well-known lovers of bacon of all time.   Today, we are “traveling” into my kitchen where I am going to introduce you to the science of a bacon wrapped turkey.  I will add a disclaimer – By no means am I licensed to provide cooking instructions, but I’m willing to “chance” it.

So this idea came to me 2 years ago.  The thing about turkey is that we really only cook them once a year. Because of this, every November we find ourselves hovered over our computer keyboard typing out the words “how to cook a turkey”.  Last time I looked, this search brought over 580 million results! Well, no more.  This blog is going to solve any anxiety you may have about next week’s Thanksgiving dinner and make you a superhero at the same time. Out with the plain old browned up turkey. It’s time to put a little sass on your table!  I’ll keep this simple and use photos to describe how you can make a bird like this.

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How to Cook a Bacon Wrapped Turkey, 101

  1. Defrost or use fresh – typically it takes 5 hours per pound to defrost
  2. Scrub that poor bird inside and out
  3. Dry the old bird off
  4. Stuff that bird with cut apple, onions, celery, parsley, rosemary, garlic (whatever is hanging around)
  5. Open a 1 pound package of good bacon (feel the love wash over you)
  6. Carefully lay the bacon on top of the bird – note, you can use 2 pounds if you want to completely suffocate it (legs, wings, et al)
  7. Cover everything with a large piece of foil
  8. Follow standard cooking instructions
  9. Once your sassy bird hits the correct temp (take or give a few), pull the foil off and let that bacon brown up
  10. When the bacon is golden brown – confirm an internal temp of 180⁰ and get-ur-out of the oven
  11. Let your beautiful, amazing bird stand for 30 minutes during which time you’ll need to protect the bacon. I’ve lost a few strips during the waiting period. Also, don’t forget to take a pic – your Facebook fans will be impressed.

A quick note on the gravy – drain off the fat and make it like you usually do. The bacon flavor will give it a divine flavor!

Secret tip: Remove the bacon (and hide it), pop the turkey back in to brown the skin. Then place the bacon back on top for your family photo.

Good luck and let me know if you’re going to try it! And if you do, and you love it please post a comment. If it doesn’t work out for you, I’ll just remind you of something my Mama used to say… “If you don’t have something nice to say…don’t say anything at all.”  Happy early Thanksgiving everyone!

PS: Mark your calendars!  Bacon Day is less than a year away – August 31, 2013 (the Saturday before Labor Day)! That’s right, even bacon has its own day.

Me – pre-bacon wrapped turkey …. No more boring – Today, I’m living the life of bacon!

If you’d like to purchase a print to remind you of this beautiful bird, cooked or not cooked, please click on “Contact”.  My photography is printed on aluminum. Utilizing an advanced process which infuses dyes directly into the metal, the colors / saturation of the bacon and bird are really amazing. In addition, your print will be displayed using mount blocks which float the image ½ inch off the wall.

©2012 Shelley D Spray – No content on this site (including all photography) may be reused in any fashion without written permission from the author.