sincerely yours, dena

One of my favorite holidays is Easter. I remember as a kid how much fun it was to hunt for my basket early Easter Morning. I still carry on the tradition, kids, adults and pets. This year we had 2 house guests that got to share in the fun. I’m not afraid to hid in challenging places. Everybody knows who’s basket is who’s by the picture on it. Rubbles found his basket first this year.

These were so good that by the time I got the camera out to take a picture there was only 1 left.

CHARMIE’S BUFFALO CHICKEN WONTONS
Source: Charmie777
Makes 24 wontons

2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
1/2 cup buffalo-style hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/4 cup cream cheese
24 wonton wrappers
oil (for frying, peanut suggested)

NOTE: all amounts are suggested; feel free to adjust to your personal preference.

Mix the chicken with the hot sauce and garlic. Mix in the cream cheese until smooth.

Put about a tsp into the center of a wonton, seal edges using a little water. Keep covered until all wontons are done.

Heat oil to about 325 degrees F.

Fry wontons, a few at a time, until lightly brown and crisp.

Serve with bleu cheese or ranch salad dressing for dipping.

NOTE: The filling can be made the day ahead and refrigerated, and the flavor intensifies.

Crust:
2 cups finely ground graham crackers (about 30 squares)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
1 pound cream cheese, 2 (8-ounce) blocks, softened
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 pint sour cream
1 lemon, zested
1 dash vanilla extract

Warm Lemon Blueberry Topping, recipe follows

For the Crust:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ingredients with a fork until evenly moistened. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Pour the crumbs into the pan and, using the bottom of a measuring cup or the smooth bottom of a glass, press the crumbs down into the base and 1-inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.

For the Filling:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute until smooth and free of any lumps. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to beat slowly until combined. Gradually add sugar and beat until creamy, for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. The batter should be well-mixed but not overbeaten. Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Set the cheesecake pan on a large piece of aluminum foil and fold up the sides around it. Place the cake pan in a large roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan; the foil will keep the water from seeping into the cheesecake. Bake for 45 minutes. The cheesecake should still jiggle (it will firm up after chilling), so be careful not to overcook. Let cool in pan for 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Unmold and transfer to a cake plate. Using a spatula spread a layer of Warm Lemon Blueberry topping over the surface.

Slice the cheesecake with a thin, non-serrated knife that has been dipped in hot water. Wipe dry after each cut.

Warm Lemon Blueberries:
1 pint blueberries
1 lemon, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons sugar

In a small saucepan add all the ingredients and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes or so until the fruit begins to break down slightly. Leave to cool before spreading on cheesecake.

The Ultimate Cheesecake Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

a few picts from the weekend….

I found an extra piece of our kitchen cabinet backing in my local hardware store (aka my basement) and painted on a coat of magnetic paint and then a coat of chalkboard paint. I painted both sides so on a weekend I can write what’s for dinner one night and flip it over for the next all without having to clean it up till Sunday. I plan to frame it out and come up with a better way to hang it. Right now I have it held up by mirror brackets which was a quick a dirty approach of getting it up for Easter dinner.

I hope your easter baskets are full of goodies

Rubbles Mowgli-Ortiz Bachman presents:
His 3rd Annual Easter Dinner

Appetizers
Shrimp ala Val Lohse
Boiled w/old bay seasoning served warm w/ cocktail sauce
Buffalo Chicken Won Tons
Careful of the kick!

Soup & Salad
Wedge Salad
Seen for as much as $11 but we serve it for free
New England Clam Chowder
“Kennebunkport surprise”

Entrée’s
Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Shallots
Quickly becoming a favorite. Served with a begging black lab.
Roasted Leg of Lamb
New edition to the menu but promises to be a staple. Also most likely served with begging black lab.
Warm Country White Bread w/ Roasted Garlic
Homemade bread w/ warm roasted garlic

Side Dishes
Fleming’s Famous Creamed Style Corn
A Daddy favorite “not your south park variety creamed corn”Creamed Spinach
Bam! Taken from Emeril Live
Carrots ala Daddy
Cooked for his pleasure
Broccoli ala Mommy
Blanched and not overcooked for her pleasure
Potatoes Au Gratin
Cheesy, yummy goodness a favorite

Desserts
Praline Pumpkin Pie
Its low carbohydrate so Daddy can eat dessert too
Ultimate Cheesecake
Topped warm lemon blueberries

After much thought, here’s my place setting for this years Easter dinner.

A look back at previous years: 2007 & 2006

I got my Easter Basket in the mail today from my parents. I always look forward to the homemade card and the special something my mommie always makes for me. This year she quilted me a table cloth. Thanks Mommie!

I saw this idea in BHG this month but their approach was way too costly and timely. They actually suggest buying and blowing out real eggs. I guess that’s no big deal when you got a sleu of job hungry interns to do your bidding. I wonder if I could get an intern? Anyways, I went to Target where they sell plastic predrilled eggs for .79 for a bag of 6. The whole shabang cost me less than $8 and 20 mins. I strung the eggs together with quilting thread (it’s more durable) and faked tying it to the posts with pretty ribbon. The true support is tape.