joy of sharing

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Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

So delicious!!! The Best I Ever Made

This Chocolate Chip or Key Lime Cheesecake it is one of my favorite desserts and I love it because it is easy to make and the recipe makes two.  So, automatically you can share the joy of a yummy cheesecake with a neighbor or have one for the freezer.  I also like that the recipe uses ready-made pie shells that have the bubble plastic covers which makes for easy transporting or freezing.  I will have to say it is not the prettiest dessert I  have ever made but the taste and texture is really wonderful.  Of course, you can dress it up with whipped cream and fresh fruit.  I took these pictures hastily because I was serving the cheesecake for our small group meeting.  I do really well taking pictures as I go along preparing and cooking, but then I always seem in a hurry to take the finished pictures because we are always ready to eat what I have cooked.  

This dessert would be great to take to your Easter Celebration.  Adults and kids love it and so do our Apples of Gold team and students. We serve the cheesecakes, for 34 people, for week #5 but we make them on week #2 and put them in the freezer.  So you could do the same.  One year for Christmas I made lots of them and gifted my neighbors with a cheesecake.  I can’t tell you how many I have made over the years.  I hope you will try it and I bet it will become a favorite “go to” recipe for you.  It could become your signature recipe.  Who doesn’t love cheesecake right, especially with chocolate.   Enjoy!!!  It will be “The Best You Ever Made.”

Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Batter poured into pie shells and ready for the oven. You choose shortbread or chocolate crust.

 

Cheesecake – Chocolate or Key Lime

Easy to make cheesecakes- Delish- Makes 2
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 6
Course: Dessert
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 8 ounces packages of cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 5 eggs for chocolate or 7 for key lime
  • 1 1/2 cups mini-chocolate chips (semi sweet) for chocolate
  • 7 to 9 ounces Key Lime Juice for key lime
  • 1 teaspoon Kahlua (optional)
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 Shortbread Keebler Pie Shells, or Graham for Key Lime – Chocolate Keebler Pie Shells if making Chocolate.

Method
 

  1. Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees
  2. Cream the cream cheese and sugar till fluffy
  3. Add eggs 1 at a time, mixing well each time
  4. Add vanilla and Kahlua; stir well
  5. For Chocolate: Add Chocolate chips; stir well
    For Key Lime: Add key lime juice; stir well. It will be a thinner batter.
  6. Pour into shells
  7. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Check after 45 minutes for doneness. (Will crack on top). If browning too much before done cover with foil.
  8. Cool and refrigerate; Serve cold topped with cool whip/whip cream. Garnish with strawberries, blueberries or fruit of your choice.

Notes

To Freeze:  Wrap cooled cheesecakes tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
To Serve if Frozen:  Thaw in refrigerate – serve cold.
Tidbit Tips:  The top will crack so use cool whip to decorate.
I love this recipe because it make 2 cheesecakes.   Having one in the fridge is great
for a last minute dessert.   Enjoy!
      
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The Joy of Hospitality

Chocolate Kahlua Mousse

Are you finding 2015 is flying by already?  We had such a good time hosting lots of dinner parties at our new house during the Holidays.  Nothing like having a party to get you up and going and taking care of things around the house right?   

Here is a list of  5 things that this season of entertaining taught me. 

#5.  If you forget to plug-in the lights on your Christmas Village – probably no one but you noticed.  I was so sad when I realized I had not plugged in the lights so that the ice skater on the frozen pond could go round and round in her figure eight path and that the lights on the trees, that flashed double time and could hipe you up, were not flashing.  I learned it is more important to greet our guest with a warm welcome, let my light shine.

#4.  You can fold your napkins without ironing them.  Time was running late so I took a chance and folded the napkins without ironing and you know what they looked fine and no one noticed or at least no one said a thing.  I learned  to allow a little time to rest before our guest arrive so I am not so exhausted; better I am refreshed than the napkins are all starched and ironed. 

#3. It is alright to mix up your table decorations – use what you have.  I had a Christmas center piece and the plates were floral because we needed the sizes that came with that set of dishes.  It was truly a confusing tablescape.  I just told everyone it was a winter center piece with spring longings all round it.  We all agreed we are already tired of winter even though it had just started.  I learned to use what I have and don’t stress over not matching – who knows you may inspire someone at the party to do the same. Give them confidence to host a party without spending money on tablescapes.

#2. Your best thought out plans may be changed.  We were hosting a dinner party on a Sunday night but when one of our dear friend’s mother passed away and the funeral was on Sunday, we changed our plans.  Most of the guest wanted to attend the funeral.  The only other time the group could meet was the Friday before.  And of course I had to work that day and no way could I cook for the party.  Everyone else was busy as well, so one couple picked up take out, I set the table on Thursday night and the party happened.  It ended up being a great evening.  But more importantly our friend was touched and blessed that we made the 10 hour round trip to be with her and her family.  I learned to look for the unexpected when your plans don’t work out like you thought they would.  The 10 hour car trip gave me lots of time to spend with a special girlfriend.  We talked and talked and my husband had a relaxing time in the back seat reading and sleeping.

#1 Hospitality is a gift of love.  If you have the gift of hospitality use it to bless others without expecting an invite in return.  It robs you of the joy of hosting when you expect something in return. I learned I must always check my motive for entertaining. 

Don’t be robbed of the Joy of Hospitality.  Give the Gift out of Love for Others.

2014 taught me to lighten up, go with the flow and just do the best I can.  The real lesson is that God is in control, not me, and if I walk the path He has for me there is Joy in all things. 

Happy 2015– I hope you have  many opportunities to bless others by Giving the Gift of Hospitality 

Here’s praying all God’s Blessing for a Year of Good Health, Peace, Mercy and Joy!!!

Romans 12:12-13  NLT version

Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.  When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.  Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Joy Always, Cissy

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Thursday Tidbit – Honey Lemon/Lime Vinaigrette

Honey Lemon/Lime Vinaigrette

Refreshing light, sweet and tart salad dressing
Print Recipe
Servings: 3 cups
Course: Salad
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 3/4 cup honey ( more if you like it sweeter)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar or Splenda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • parsley flakes

Method
 

  1. Wisk all ingredients together. Refrigerate

Notes

Remember change anything you like but keep the oil to vinegar ratio.
You could use 3/4 cup olive oil and 3/4 cup canola oil.
You could add minced garlic, some herbs for an herbal dressing with less sweetener.
Go for it and let me know your favorite combination.
I do appreciate you, my readers, and love hearing from you.  Thanks for following Tidbits of Joy.  Blesssings. 
 

thursday

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Thursday Tidbit:  You don’t have to follow a recipe exactly. You can even change the ingredients.

I know because this past week my best friend, Marcy Howard, and I hosted a Breast Cancer Survivor’s Luncheon.  We served Yellow Squash Bisque, it will be on the blog soon, Chicken Salad, croissant rolls and an amazing dessert that we purchased.  We served the chicken salad on a bed of mixed greens surrounded by grape tomatoes, sliced hearts of palms, sliced cucumbers and freshly shaved Parmesan cheese.  When I thought about the salad dressing I wanted something a little sweet but also with a citrus flavor.  I remembered a Lemon Vinaigrette recipe that we use for Apples of Gold so I started with that.  I added and changed several ingredients but left the oil to vinegar ratio the same.  Changing the ratio could cause your dressing to be too oily or too tart.  I just kept adding ingredients till I got the flavor I liked. Now my taste is probably different from yours you might like it sweeter or maybe not.  Starting with a basic recipe and changing it to your taste makes cooking personal and fun.

The luncheon was such an uplifting time.  Marcy had set her table with a beautiful fall theme.  I love fall colors don’t you? The women at the luncheon were so inspiring with their testimonies and the stories of their journey with breast cancer.  We all know someone who has battled this devastating disease.  Yet at the same time there are so many survivors helping the next one to make it through. They extend hope and peace to each other.  I have not had breast cancer but I was with Marcy every step of the way through her treatment so I am a co-survivor.  I know there are many of you who are doing the same.  Each woman there said they had to depend on God for their strength and that they felt His presence in every decision and treatment they went through.  They were so thankful for the support of their families, friends and fellow Christian brothers and sisters.  Now they are giving back by mentoring other women just starting the journey, they are going back to radiation centers and talking and praying with patients, one young woman is starting a blog to encourage young women to be aware that breast cancer is not just for women over 50.  She was 31 when diagnosed and feels her age group needs a voice and she is seeking God’s direction on how she can be that voice.  I could go on and on how they are using such a hard thing in their life to be such a source of joy now as they help others who are put in their path.  I pray that God through man will provide the cure.

Happy Thursday –– Try the Honey Lemon/Lime Vinaigrette on your next salad and feel free to change it up. It will be “The Best You Ever Made”

PS:  I am so glad to be back blogging.  This year I changed jobs after 27 years at one Dental Office to help a young dentist start a new practice and that has been a big project but I love a project.  Bill and I built a new home and moved the middle of September another great big project so Tidbits of Joy got put on the back burner.    I can’t wait to share pictures of our new kitchen and blog some yummy fall recipes.