Saturday, November 22, 2008

Key Lime Cheesecake

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
6 tablespoons butter, melted
2 T white sugar

24 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 eggs
2/3 cup key lime juice
1 tsp. vanilla extract


1. To make Crust: In a bowl stir together the graham cracker crumbs and 2 tablespoons sugar, stir in the butter well. Pat the mixture into the bottom and 1/2 inch up the side of a buttered 10 inch springform pan and bake the crust in a preheated 375 degree F (190 degree C) oven for 8 minutes. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool.

2. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, blending just until smooth. Beat in the lime juice and vanilla on low. Do not overbeat, or cake will crack during baking. Pour batter into prepared crust.

3. Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 55 to 65 minutes, or until set. To minimize cracking, place a shallow pan half full of hot water on lower rack during baking.

4. Turn oven off, and let cheesecake stand in oven 30 minutes with the door open at least 4 inches. Remove from oven. Refrigerate cake overnight, and up to three days.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Jill's Slap Yo' Mama Mac and Cheese

1 pound elbow Macaroni
2 cans of evaporated milk (yes you can use skim evaporated)
3 cans of cheddar cheese soup
1 1/2 sticks of butter
4 cups of shredded sharp or extra sharp YELLOW cheddar cheese (or 2 large 2 cup bags of shredded cheddar cheese)
2 cups of WHITE cheddar cheese (sharp or extra sharp)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper (or to taste)

NOTE: If you can't find white cheddar feel free to use all yellow cheddar

Preheat oven to 400
1. Boil Macaroni according to package directions, drain
2. In a bowl pour the cheddar cheese soup, milk, butter, salt and pepper. Microwave for 8-10 minutes. Stir halfway thru cooking.
Get large casserole pan
(NOTE: I recommend a disposable aluminum pan)
Pour a cup of noodles in the bottom of the pan
Follow that with the cheese mixture
Top with shredded cheese

repeat till all ingredients are used
FINISH with a topping of shredded cheese


Bake 40-45 minutes or until golden brown