Supreme Chocolate Cheesecake

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I promised you a story about this chocolate cheesecake which I made last week for my Joshua's 17th birthday. He asked for a chocolate cheesecake, and this recipe is really a very decadent, but easy cheesecake. It doesn't take long to put together, and, under normal circumstances, is a very pretty, celebration dessert.

I did well on Thursday, starting my cheesecake in the morning, so it would have all day to chill before I frosted it. Unlike most cheesecakes, this one has a frosting, although I have made it unfrosted or glazed with a simple ganache also.

After I picked up the birthday boy from school, I made the frosting, frosted the cake and grated some milk chocolate over the top. Pleased with the outcome, I took pictures for you, my friend, and then wrapped and carried the cheesecake downstairs to put it in the basement refrigerator. I am always very careful walking down the steps with food and have never fallen, and, though you probably think I'm going to tell you I fell, I did not fall, at least not on the stairs. As I stepped down the last step and turned toward the utility room where the refrigerator is, I did fall, right over a huge box of books that the kids had moved while they were playing ball (in the winter, in Ohio, you play soccer in the basement -- I think that's why homes in the north have basements). With the cake plate in front of me, I didn't see the box and I fell right over it with the cake plate and the cheesecake landing on the floor in front of me. I won't mention the damage the fall did to my already-hurting back, but I will tell you that the cake plate broke (it was a pretty Lenox one too!) and the cheesecake, which fell into the shards of porcelain, was inedible.

Ach! I don't even have to tell you that I cried. Yes, I did. And when I calmed down (I thought I had) and called my husband at work, he thought something horrible had happened. I'm not very good at disguising my emotions, apparently. Good man that he is, he stopped for an ice cream cake on the way home. And birthday boy got his chocolate cheesecake yesterday, when I made another. These pictures, however, are from the original.

Supreme Chocolate Cheesecake

16 Oreos, crushed
¼ cup butter, melted
3 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
14 oz condensed milk
3 eggs
12 oz choc. chips, melted
2 t vanilla
⅓ cup butter
½ cup powdered sugar
6 oz choc. chips, melted and cooled to room temp.
2 T Grand Marnier



Combine crumbs and margarine; press into 9” springform pan.


One of my favorite kitchen appliances,
this mini Cuisinart does the crumbs and then blends the butter in seconds.



Combine cream cheese and milk; beat until blended.

Really blend the cheese and milk well.
Once you add the eggs you don't want to whip it too long.
Whipping too much air into cheesecake batter after you add the eggs,
can cause the top to crack right down the middle.



Add eggs, one at a time.

I always crack my eggs into a small bowl.
If you crack the egg right into the batter while it's whipping,
you take a chance in getting eggshell in the batter,
and if you accidentally get a bad egg, you've ruined the entire batch.



Blend in chocolate and vanilla.
Pour into crust and bake at 300 for 1 hour and 10 minutes.


Ready to pop into the oven.


Just out of the oven.


Loosen cake from rim; cool before removing rim.
Cool completely before frosting.

Beat margarine and sugar until fluffy.
Add chocolate and Grand Marnier; blend.
Frost top and sides of cheesecake.


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That Pride Will Get You

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Yesterday I made what is really an ordinary dinner meal, at least for me it was ordinary. It was Sunday, and I like to make a nice big meal on Sunday. So, after noon Mass I started a loaf of bread, and then I made a Pumpkin Roll for dessert. Then I started my sauce, for spaghetti and meatballs, and then I started the meatballs. I was in the kitchen for about three hours, and by about 4:30 dinner was ready and just simmering for a while.

I really thought nothing of it until we sat down to dinner. Now Doug had spent the entire afternoon outdoors, so he didn't see the time spent in the kitchen. I guess he thought I ordered out, or something. When we sat down to dinner he raved about the garlic bread, "did you make this bread (like I never bake bread)?" And then he said, "Did you make these meatballs (I have never bought meatballs in 23 years of marriage)?" The compliments went on, but he kept looking at me like he wasn't sure I had really made the dinner. At least that's what I thought.

I can't say he wasn't appreciative because he was obviously enjoying his meal, but I was starting to get my nose a little out of joint. What did he think I was doing all day?

By the time I cut the Pumpkin Roll, I was a little ticked. I even served his piece with a smart comment about how "I was so glad I could finally serve him a decent meal for a change' (an inside joke using words he once "accidentally" spoke to me). He laughed, "ha, ha," but he had no idea he had gotten my dander up.

So I cleaned up the kitchen and stewed for a bit and when all the dishes were done, except for the sauce pot, I spooned the sauce and meatballs into a double freezer bag (because all of my large Tupperware bowls were in use). I turned to put the sauce pot in the sink and heard an awful noise behind me. It was the sauce and meatballs splashing all over the kitchen floor. The bag had fallen over when I turned my back and I lost at least half of that delicious sauce and five or so meatballs. I could have cried (instead I think I said a bad word).

Doug ran to the kitchen and grabbed the camera. "This has to go on the blog," he said. "Oh, no it's not," I said. And then he voluntarily cleaned up the entire mess.





Do I think that the sauce and meatballs spilled because I was having a fit of pride? No. But I do think that I deserved it a little. And I think it's proof that just when you think you've done something worth being a little proud about, you're gonna get knocked back down to earth.



And so, as part of my lesson in pride, I submit to you this picture:






And my lesson learned:

Don't be so full of yourself.

Buy some large Tupperware bowls.



Never let it be said that I share only my successes.


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It's All in the Planning

I've been a poor blog host lately. Sorry about that. I have beaucoup plates up in the air, and sadly, one is probably going to fall soon. Hopefully not the good china.

Part of the reason I'm feeling like my plates are out of control is lack of planning. I'm usually very good at planning, but lately, I've lost the gift.

Last night's dinner was a good example. On my menu were Ham Hocks and White Beans, bread, delicious French cookies and homemade ice cream. Anyone of these particular dishes, prepared alone, would have been no problem. I had an afternoon at home, and should have been able to prepare dinner with one hand tied behind my back. But poor planning landed three untried dishes on the same afternoon, all of which were fairly labor-intensive.

Fortunately they all turned out well -- the ham hocks and beans and bread were delicious, the cookies tender and buttery, and the ice cream rich and flavorful. But, I was in the kitchen most of the afternoon. Top that dinner with several hours of post-dinner homework helping, packing lunches, folding and ironing until 10, and by the time I got into bed, my feet and legs were throbbing.

All of that was the result of poor planning.

I should never have planned three new dishes on the same night, not to mention three labor-intensive dishes. And I should have done my ironing the night before instead of on an evening when I had much going on in the kitchen during the day.

I know that most people in our society today don't really think of a housewife's work as difficult. Too many cartoon figures eating bonbons in front of the boob-tube, I guess. But, honestly, if you do your job well, it should be hard work -- rewarding, but hard. I think, however, that just like with good business executives, planning is key.

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Christmas Surprises

For me, Christmas rarely brings surprises. After all, I'm the mom -- I'm supposed to make the surprises. This year, there were several surprises that I'd like to tell you about.

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On Monday, as I was preparing to make the braciole, and trying to get the table set, and thinking there were not enough hours in some days, a florist truck drove up and brought me the most unexpected gift of the season -- a table centerpiece. This year was actually one year when I really gave the centerpiece not one thought. In years past, I have assembled arrangements and gone outdoors to cut evergreen boughs, and arranged a multitude of candles across the dining table. But, this year, I had done nothing. Likely the only adornment to the table would be silver candlesticks. But, almost at the eleventh hour, in came a beautiful centerpiece of fresh red and white flowers, a variety of evergreens, pine cones, red glass balls and red candles. Gorgeous. And the biggest surprise was the sender -- Monsignor Bennett, a beloved friend and teacher. Doug first met Msgr. Bennett when he taught him American History as a freshman in high school. He then again taught him World History as a senior. He was a favorite teacher of Doug's and when we were married, Fr. Bennett celebrated the wedding Mass at the school's Mother of Mercy Chapel. This year, Fr. Bennett is teaching my oldest son World History, and this is something, since Father is of frail health, I was never certain would happen. I am overjoyed that he is teaching Anthony, especially since he regularly tells Anthony "you are much smarter than your father." Needless to say, when we read the florist card, we were deeply touched to know that he thinks so much of us. Of course, his gruff exterior would prevent him from actually saying so, but his actions speak louder than words. When Doug called to thank him, he did say, "tell Anthony that I love him in spite of himself." Vintage Fr. Bennett.

Another surprise this Christmas was the ongoing benefit I received from this gift earlier in the month. I planned a salad using the Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar, and if I do say so myself, it was very good. I usually don't wing it on big holidays, especially with my in-laws coming to dinner, but I was confident the Orange Muscat would make a good salad. My Francis, who really enjoys food, helped me plan the salad, winging it as we were. We decided that it would include fresh spinach leaves, red leaf lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, sliced strawberries, candied pecans, and feta cheese, tossed with the Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar. It was surprisingly delicious and beautiful.

Orange Muscat Champagne Vinaigrette

2 cloves garlic
1/2 c. Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar (Trader Joe's)
1 t. Dijon mustard
1/4 c. orange juice
1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil
salt to taste
sweetener to taste

Place garlic in food processor bowl and pulse a few times (I use my small one for salad dressing, but if you don't have a processor, mince the garlic and place in a bowl). Pour vinegar, mustard, and orange juice in processor bowl with garlic. Turn machine on, and slowly stream in olive oil until all is added (if you're not using a processor, whisk mixture quickly until oil is incorporated). Add salt and sweetener (I used a little sugar and a little Equal) to taste. Refrigerate for an hour or more.

My third surprise, which was not a complete surprise, as I asked for it, was a potato ricer. The surprise was that is was, as my teens would say, an uber ricer. This thing is enormous and will rice potatoes for gnocci in no time flat. No more pushing those potatoes through a sieve with a spoon -- gnocci may be on the menu much more often now. It came from Williams-Sonoma and while I checked their website, I couldn't find it. Either it's an Internet glitch or Doug found a discontinued item on the shelves.

Hopefully your Christmas had a few surprises. Good ones, that is.

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Cost Cutting Grocery Tips

I just came across this online article on cutting your grocery bill. I learned a few things, and the article reinforced a few things I already suspected. Good information. I'm still working on cutting that bill. We have a few quality issues that we can't get past (they just won't drink cheap orange juice and I can't blame them), and we spend an awful lot in the dairy aisle. I can't decide if that's good or bad. I guess it's better than junk food.

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Ugh

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That's all I have to say. The repairman says the compressor is shot and it will be Friday at the earliest before he can replace it. And that's if he can get one locally. I may learn to drink room temp Coke Zero by then. Why must the fridge go when we are having a heat wave in October?

Now, not another word and I will offer it up for the poor souls.

More cooking another day -- but I have a few recipes reserved for posting later.
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