Category: MEMES & LINK PARTIES

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

Good Morning! I had a SUPER productive weekend. ALL the Christmas decorations are organized and put away and I’m ready to do some deep cleaning.  It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

I need some help!!!  I need ideas for a bread an butter gift (a gesture of gratitude for hosting) for my SIL on an upcoming trip. I always look for something I know she’d like, but probably doesn’t have, but I’m honestly out of ideas.  She loves “frogs” but think I’ve done those a little too much over the years.  What do you get or make for someone who has everything or the money to buy what they want when they want it?

ON THE BREAKFAST MENU

  • A big cup of coffee, maybe 2 or 3 wit a touch of Mocha Kahlua and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

TODAY’S TO DO LIST
  • Grocery Shopping
  • Errands
  • Laundry
  • Cleaning

CURRENTLY (STILL) READING

TV SHOWS THIS WEEK

Catching up on the DVR from last week:

  • Good Wife
  • Mentalist
  • Law and Order SVU
  • Forever
  • Sleepy Hollow

WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
Rain, fog and dreary.

ON THE MENU
 Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


 DATE BREAKFAST
DINNER
MONDAY 1/12 OATMEAL
Tomato Pie and Pan Seared Chicken with Peppercorn Sauce
TUESDAY 1/13 YOGURT
Chimichurri Chicken
WEDNESDAY 1/14 OATMEAL
Pork Chops & Rice Bake
THURSDAY 1/15 ??
Old World Chicken
FRIDAY 1/16 C.O.R.N.
Winter Soup & Pineapple Upside Down Cake
SATURDAY 1/17 French Toast
24 Hour Salad
SUNDAY 1/18
Bacon and Eggs

Cheesy Corn Bake

NEW RECIPES TO TRY

I also tried several other successful new recipes in December and they will be popping up a little here and a little there over the next few weeks.

I’m back to trying recipes from my experimentation file this month so am hopeful that there will be many to pass on to you soon.

IN THE YARD & GARDEN
Nothing this week.

FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK
While our son and DIL were visiting for New Year’s we had many dreary days, but this one wasn’t one of them. We had a great lunch and despite the cool weather got some great pictures.

HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK

    As I put up the Christmas decorations each year I save the tissue paper to reuse as stuffing in shipping boxes and then as I put away the Christmas decorations each year I use new tissue paper to wrap them in.  The new tissue paper has a stronger tensile strength to protect the ornaments and decorations.

    ON MY MIND LATELY

    Trying to understand the world and what is going through people’s minds with all the senseless violence that is happening everywhere.

    INSPIRATIONAL

    TEX MEX BLT’s minus the Lettuce

    These little delights are perfect finger foods for ANY football party or get together with lots of people. They have just enough kick to spark everyone’s appetite for more.  The shells get crispy and the cheesy filling gets gooey and they are soooooo easy to assemble while looking like you spent hours in the kitchen.

    You can also vary the flavors for some extra alternative flavor.  (See my notes below) Use your imagination and make up your own combinations.
    TEX MEX BLT’s minus the Lettuce  
    3-4 packages phyllo pastry cups – thawed  
    1 pound bacon, cooked well and crumbled into very small pieces (very fine ground beef/shredded beef) 
    1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese  (today I used a Jack and Skellig Sweet Cheddar combo) 
    1/2 cup medium Cheddar cheese 
    1 cup mayonnaise (not Low-fat)  
    1 can Rotel original, drained REALLY well* (when I use shredded beef I trade this for a 4 ounce can of diced jalapenos that I chop very fine) 

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Blend the mayonnaise and cheeses together.
    • Fold in the tomatoes and bacon.
    • Scoop evenly into the cups (this will fill about 36).  
    • Place on baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes or until starting to brown and get bubbly.

    *These shells are pretty small so cut any larger chunks of tomato into smaller pieces to make them easier to fill. I did a couple second run through in my mini food processor.

    BUFFALO CHICKEN MONKEY BREAD

    These disappeared so quickly that I forgot to get a picture of the finished bread. I made them in my lasagna pan so they would all be the same size. You’ll notice a quite a few strike throughs. I changed the original recipe to do each biscuit the same way so you have a flavor medley in each bite and a more even baking color.

    BUFFALO CHICKEN MONKEY BREAD adapted from Pillsbury
    2 cans (7.5 oz each) Pillsbury™ Country Style® refrigerated biscuits
    2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
    3/4 cup Frank’s Original Hot sauce
    1/4 cup Gorgonzola cheese crumbles, crumbled very small 
    2 tablespoons ranch dressing
    1/4 cup butter, melted
    Savory Spice Shop Tableside Garlic Sprinkle
    Additional ranch dressing for dipping

    • Heat oven to 375°. 
    • Lightly spray 12-cup fluted tube cake pan with cooking spray.
    • In medium bowl, toss chicken with 1/2 cup of the buffalo wing sauce until well coated; set aside.
    • Cut 4 biscuits into quarters to make a total of 16 pieces. With hands, press and stretch each piece slightly to make dough round. 
    • Place 1 teaspoon cheese in center of each round. 
    • Enclose cheese by bringing sides of dough up and over; pinch dough to seal and enclose cheese.

    • With remaining 16 biscuits, press and stretch each into larger rounds. 
    • Place 1 heaping tablespoon buffalo chicken in center of each large round. Enclose chicken by bringing sides of dough up and over; pinch dough to seal and enclose chicken. 

    • Stretch each biscuit into larger rounds. 
    • Place 1 teaspoon cheese crumbles AND 1 heaping tablespoon buffalo chicken in center of each large round. Enclose chicken by bringing sides of dough up and over; pinch dough to seal and enclose chicken.
    • Drizzle remaining 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce in bottom of tube cake pan; drizzle 2 tablespoons ranch dressing over sauce.
    • Dip each ball of dough into melted butter; layer cheese and chicken balls in pan, alternating to vary sizes.
    • Dip each ball of dough into melted butter; layer loosely in pan. 
    • Roll each ball in  Savory Spice Shop Tableside Garlic Sprinkle.
    • Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until tops of balls are golden brown. 
    • Cool in pan slightly, about 5 minutes. 
    • Place serving plate upside down over pan; carefully turn plate and pan over. Remove pan. 
    • Serve bread with additional ranch dressing for dipping.

    IT IS WHAT IT IS!

    I’ve posted here regularly, but never felt as at home here as I have at my home blog 3 Sides of Crazy. This will be my last public post here as I integrate ALWAYS eat on the Good China with 3 Sides of Crazy. ALWAYS eat on the Good China will become my personal recipe box.I just have too many different blogs with too many different themes to get the same joy I once got from blogging. Social networking has become sooooooooo out of control! I ditched twitter way back, now it’s time to condense my blogs too. With the exception of OUR KrAZy kitchen, a multi-authored recipe blog that I host, I am combining all of my blogs into one. Simply, it’s time to simplify.

    So join me over at the all new IT IS WHAT IT IS! formerly known as 3 Sides of Crazy. I’ll see you there 🙂

    MENU PLAN & HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

    Good Morning! I had a SUPER productive weekend. NOW I am ready for CHRISTMAS and a great new week!   I hope you are too.  It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

    ON THE BREAKFAST MENU:

    • A big cup of coffee, maybe 2 or 3 wit a touch of Mocha Kahlua and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

    TODAY’S TO DO LIST:
    • Phone Calls
    • Cleaning
    • Baking

    CURRENTLY (STILL) READING:

    TV SHOWS THIS WEEK:

      Christmas Movies

      WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:
      Rain, rain and more rain, but there is a slight chance of Snow for a white Christmas.

      ON THE MENU:
       Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


      		 DATE BREAKFAST
      		DINNER
      MONDAY 12/22 OATMEAL
      		Chicken in Sabayon Sauce & Upside Down Potatoes
      TUESDAY 12/23 YOGURT
      		Vegetable Barley Soup & Grilled Cheese & Bacon
      WEDNESDAY 12/24 OATMEAL
      		Prime Rib, Garlicky Cheese Potatoes, Roasted Brussels Sprouts
      THURSDAY 12/25 Farmer’s Casserole
      		Baked Ham with Apricot Pineapple glaze, Scalloped Potatoes, Coconut Rum Carrots, Caramel Apple Cheesecake
      FRIDAY 12/26 C.O.R.N.
      		C.O.R.N.
      SATURDAY 12/27 French Toast
      		C.O.R.N.
      SUNDAY 12/28
      Bacon and Eggs

      		Chimichurri Chicken & Asparagus with Lemon Sauce

      NEW RECIPES TO TRY:
      Nothing this week.

      IN THE YARD & GARDEN
      Nothing this week.

      FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
      Ominous sky during storm last week.

      HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK:

      • Add a dry paper towel to your salad spinner and it will help absorb ALL the moisture.
      • If you’re like me at this time of year, you have batch after batch of goodies going into the oven.  To save time, line your pan with heavy duty foil before adding your recipe.  After cooling, you can lift the foil out with the goodies and start over with the next batch without having to stop and wash the pan.  Plus the foil gives you an easy, flat cutting surface. 
        ON MY MIND LATELY:

        Hoping everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas and Wonderful New Year.

        INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

        MENU PLAN & HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

        Good Morning! I had a VERY productive weekend getting my BLOGMAS posts ready and now I am ready for a great new week! So productive that I almost forgot to do this post.

        It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

        • A big cup of coffee and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins.
        • Paperwork
        • Phone Calls
        • Cleaning
        • Laundry
        • Post Office

        Christmas Movies that I have DVRed through the season.

        Cool, gray and drizzly today – glad I have no where to really go.

         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


        		 DATE BREAKFAST
        		DINNER
        MONDAY 12/15 YOGURT
        		Chicken Pot Pie Turnovers 
        TUESDAY 12/16 BAGEL& FRUIT
        		Roasted Tomato Soup w/ Cheddar Crostinis
        WEDNESDAY 12/17 OATMEAL
        		Smothered Chicken Breasts
        THURSDAY 12/18 FRUIT
        		Farmer’s Casserole
        FRIDAY 12/19 CEREAL
        		Chimichurri Chicken
        SATURDAY 12/20 Luau Benedicts 
        		Chicken White Bean Soup
        SUNDAY 12/21 Chicken Chile Corn Custards
        		Creamy Ranch Pork Chops & Rice

        Everything on the menu (except the inks) is an experiment this week, though I’m sorting through my HUGE pile of recipes to try and re-evaluating each and every one.  It’s time to get a little more routine.

        Empty and clean aluminum soda cans make lightweight and effective packing material to ship Christmas presents.

        Safe travels this holiday season for everyone who will be away from home.  The weather is wild this year, please travel safe.

        HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

        Good Morning!

        I’ve been  under the weather for a couple days, but I still seemed to manage having a VERY productive weekend. NOW I am feeling much better and am ready for a great new week!

        I will finish my shipping by the end of the week.  This way I will be able to enjoy the entire Holiday season without tearing my hair out.

        It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

        ON THE BREAKFAST MENU:

        • A big cup of coffee, maybe 2 or 3 and pancakes on the new griddle. 

        TO DO LIST for the WEEK:
        • Phone Calls
        • Errands
        • Grocery Shopping 
        • Applesauce
        • Last minute shipping if not today then at least this week.

        CURRENTLY (STILL) READING:

        TV SHOWS THIS WEEK:

        • Christmas Movies
        • FOOD Channel 

        WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:

        ON THE MENU:
         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


        		 DATE BREAKFAST
        		DINNER
        MONDAY 12/8 Pancakes
        		C.O.R.N.
        TUESDAY 12/9 YOGURT
        		BBQ Pork Loin
        WEDNESDAY 12/10 OATMEAL
        		Chicken Chile Relleno
        THURSDAY 12/11 YOGURT
        		Grilled Pork Chops w/ Rainbow Potato Pancakes
        FRIDAY 12/12 CHEERIOS
        		Texas Fried Chicken w/ Fried Smashed Potatoes
        SATURDAY 12/13 French Toast
        		Cream of Asparagus Soup
        SUNDAY 12/14
        Bacon and Eggs

        		Farmer’s Casserole

        PLAY TIME (if I can find any ~ yeah right)

        As always do a little quilting and finish a few older projects though I have yet to have a few minutes to myself LOL like that’s going to happen.

        NEW RECIPES TO TRY:

        Almost everything on this week’s menu is an experiment LOL

        IN THE YARD & GARDEN

        Replanted the Christmas Cacti and they are thriving. 

        FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

        New Stove in time for holiday cooking.

        HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK:

        If you don’t have an herb keeper, a tall glass and ziploc sandwich bag work well as a green onion keeper. 

        Cut part of the ends off so they stand in the glass well.  Add about 3/4 inch of water and keep in the fridge.  Your green onions will last for weeks!

        I finally broke down and bought myself some herb keepers recently.

        ON MY MIND LATELY:

        JUST TRYING TO STAY ORGANIZED, have a good attitude and do prep for the holidays.

        INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

        MENU PLAN & HAPPY HOMEMAER MONDAY

        Good Morning! I had a SUPER Thanksgiving and a VERY productive weekend. NOW I am ready for a great new week!   I will finish my Christmas shopping today and ship by the end of the week.  This way I will be able to enjoy the Holiday season without tearing my hair out.

        It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

        ON THE BREAKFAST MENU:

        • A big cup of coffee, maybe 2 or 3 and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

        TODAY’S TO DO LIST:
        • Phone Calls
        • Errands
        • Christmas Shopping (store and online)
        • Grocery Shopping 
        • Christmas Tree

        CURRENTLY (STILL) READING:

        TV SHOWS THIS WEEK:

        • Good Wife
        • Mentalist
        • Scorpion
        • CSI

        WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:

        Partly Cloudy

        38°F High
        Partly Cloudy
        Chance of rain: 0%
        Wind: NNE at 8 mph
        Clear

        28°Low
        Rain moving in

        ON THE MENU:
         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


        		 DATE BREAKFAST
        		DINNER
        MONDAY 12/1 OATMEAL
        		Italian Baked Potatoes
        TUESDAY 12/2 YOGURT
        		BBQ Pork Loin
        WEDNESDAY 12/3 OATMEAL
        		Roasted White Fish with Citrus Butter Sauce
        THURSDAY 12/4 YOGURT
        		Chicken Croissant Pies
        FRIDAY 12/5 CHEERIOS
        		Stuffed Chicken Breasts
        SATURDAY 12/6 French Toast
        		Cream of Asparagus Soup
        SUNDAY 12/7
        Bacon and Eggs

        		Lemon Chicken

        PLAY TIME (if I can find any ~ yeah right)

        As always do a little quilting and finish a few older projects though I have yet to have a few minutes to myself LOL like that’s going to happen.

        NEW RECIPES TO TRY:

        Everything on this week’s menu is an experiment LOL

        IN THE YARD & GARDEN

        Replanted the Christmas Cacti and they are thriving. 

        FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
        Ominous sky during storm last week.
         

        HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK:

        As you wrap your holiday gifts, set the ones to be shipped in piles by location so it will be easier to chose a shipping box.

        ON MY MIND LATELY:

        Oh so much – way too much to put into words quite yet. JUST TRYING TO STAY ORGANIZED and do prep for the holidays.

        INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

        HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

        Good Morning! I had a SUPER productive weekend as well as watched the race and football. NOW I am ready for a great new week!  It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

        ON THE BREAKFAST MENU:

        • A big cup of coffee (maybe 2) and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

        TODAY’S TO DO LIST:

        • Phone Calls
        • Photos for Ebay, ETSY & IG
        • Grocery Shopping

        CURRENTLY (STILL) READING:

        TV SHOWS THIS WEEK:

        • Good Wife
        • Once Upon a Time
        • CSI

        WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:

        Partly Cloudy

        58°F High
        Partly Cloudy
        Chance of rain: 0%
        Wind: NNE at 8 mph
        Clear

        36°Low
        Clear
        I’m loving the shift in temperatures since the move north! Brr, hunkering down for the first winter storm.


        ON THE MENU:
         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


        		 DATE BREAKFAST
        		DINNER
        MONDAY 11/10 OATMEAL
        		Pea Soup w/ Parmesan Crisps
        TUESDAY 11/11 YOGURT
        		Roast Tomato Soup w/ Cheddar Crostini
        WEDNESDAY 11/12 OATMEAL
        		Balsamic Glazed Steak Rolls
        THURSDAY 11/13 YOGURT
        		More than Potato Soup w/ Double Cheddar Biscuits
        FRIDAY 11/14 CHEERIOS
        		Buffalo Wing Poppers
        SATURDAY 11/15  ??
        		Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktails
        SUNDAY 11/16
        OUT

        		C.O.R.N.

        PLAY TIME (if I can find any ~ yeah right)

        As always do a little quilting and finish a few older projects though I have yet to have a few minutes to myself LOL like that’s going to happen.

        NEW RECIPES TO TRY:

        Nothing new this week.

        IN THE YARD & GARDEN

        Nothing for awhile.

        FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

        HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK:

        LOL I wish I had one.

        EYE CATCHING BLOGS WORTHY OF A DEEPER LOOK:

        Still trying to get organized from the move so have not done as much blog hopping as I’d like.  I promise I will be so much better soon.

        ON MY MIND LATELY:

        Oh so much – way too much to put into words quite yet.

        INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

        HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

        Good Morning! I had a SUPER productive weekend getting settled after the first leg of the move as well as watched the race and football, but now I am ready for a great new week!

        It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

        ON THE BREAKFAST MENU:

        • A big cup of coffee (maybe 2) and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

        TODAY’S TO DO LIST:

        • Cleaning
        • Laundry
        • Errands
        • Phone Calls
        • Grocery Shopping

        CURRENTLY (STILL) READING:

        Not much this week

        TV SHOWS THIS WEEK:

        Catching up on the DVR!

        WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:

        Cloudy and cool (60’s) with a chance of rain – YAY!!!!!! I’m loving the shift in temperatures since the move north!

        ON THE MENU:
         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


        		 DATE BREAKFAST
        		DINNER
        MONDAY 11/3 OATMEAL
        		Glazed Stuffed pork Chops
        TUESDAY 11/4 YOGURT
        		 Garlic Parmesan Stuffed Chicken with Melted Strawberries
        WEDNESDAY 11/5 OATMEAL
        		Sweet & Sour Pork Roast
        THURSDAY 11/6 YOGURT
        		Rueben Cubans
        FRIDAY 11/7 CHEERIOS
        		Beef & Bacon Chili
        SATURDAY 11/8  Shirred Eggs
        		Chicken Noodle Salad with Chile Scallion Oil
        SUNDAY 11/9
        OUT

        		Ham & Gruyere Stratas

        PLAY TIME (if I can find any ~ yeah right)

        As always do a little quilting and finish a few older projects though I have yet to have a few minutes to myself LOL like that’s going to happen.

        NEW RECIPES TO TRY:

        Making a couple of new desserts this week – Cheesecake Egg Rolls and Chocolate Rum Banana Empanadas.

        IN THE YARD & GARDEN

        Rake leaves and cut back bushes for winter.

        FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
        We followed this truck for a couple hundred miles of mountain road. Hubby says I need to send him a Christmas card and thank him for being a good leader through the fog before we reached this beautiful area of the trees changing colors.

        HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK:

        Also as we head into cooler weather Menu Planning is a great way to save some money as well as trips to the store in the cold weather.

        EYE CATCHING BLOGS WORTHY OF A DEEPER LOOK:

        Still trying to get organized from the move so have not done as much blog hopping as I’d like.  I promise I will be so much better soon.

        ON MY MIND LATELY:

        Oh so much – way too much to put into words quite yet.

        INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

        PERFECT CHEESECAKE FOR BAKING PARTNERS

        We had many scrumptious choices this month – too many – hard to choose just one. It was a beautiful and classic cheesecake, tangy and sweet, with a velvety smooth and rich texture.I added my homemade caramel sauce and served it for Easter.

        Perfect Cheesecake.jpg

        adapted from Perfect Cheesecake by Simply recipes for Baking Partners GROUP April 2013

        Crust
        2 cups of Graham cracker crumbs (I used a combo of ginger snaps and vanilla wafers)
        2 tablespoons sugar
        Pinch sea salt
        5 tablespoons unsalted butter (if using salted butter, omit the pinch of salt), melted
        Filling
        32 ounces cream cheese at room temperature and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
        1 1/3 cup sugar
        Pinch of Sea salt
        2 teaspoons PURE vanilla
        4 large eggs
        2/3 cup regular sour cream
        2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
        Topping – I omitted to help cut down on the cholesterol since I was adding the caramel sauce
        2 cups regular sour cream
        1/3 cup powdered sugar
        1 teaspoon vanilla

        CRUST PREPARATION

        • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
        • Place a 9 inch spring form pan on a large sheet of heavy duty foil.  Smooth foil up the sides rolling at the top edge.  You are basically making your pan water proof.
        • Grind the graham crackers and/or ginger snaps in a food processor until finely ground.
        • In a large bowl stir together the crackers, sugar and salt. With your hands blend in the melted butter until you have a uniform consistency.
        • Press the cracker crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared springform pan.
        • Bake for 10 minutes.
        • Remove from the oven and let cool.
        • Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.

        FILLING PREPARATION

        • Cream the cream cheese until smooth.
        • Add the sugar and beat for a few minutes more.
        • Add the salt and vanilla, beating until well blended after each addition.
        • Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until well blended after each addition.
        • Add the sour cream, beating until well blended.
        • Add the heavy cream, beating until well blended.
        • Scrape down the sides of the mixer bowl scraping up any thicker bits of cream cheese that has stuck to the sides or bottom.

        BAKING

        • Place the foil-wrapped springform pan in a large, high-sided roasting pan.
        • Pour about 2 quarts of boiling water around the pan.
        • Pour the prepared cream cheese filling into the springform pan over the cracker crust.
        • Smooth the filling level.
        • Bake on the lower rack of your oven.
        • Carefully pour the hot water into the roasting pan creating a water bath for the cheesecake. Pour enough water to reach halfway up the side of the springform pan.
        • Bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.
        • Turn off the oven.
        • Crack open the oven door 1-inch or so, and let the cake cool in the oven for 1 hour. Slow cooling this way helps prevent cracking in the cheesecake.
        • Remove the cake from the oven and discard the foil.
        • With a fresh piece of foil, tent the cheesecake so that the foil doesn’t actually touch the cheesecake.
        • Chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours or overnight.

        TOPPING PREPARATION

        • In a large mixing bowl cream together the sour cream, powdered sugar and vanilla, until well blended.
        • Chill topping mixture until you are ready to serve the cake.

        PREPARE THE CAKE FOR SERVING

        • Run a table knife around the inside edge of the spring form pan to release anything that might have stuck during baking.
        • Remove outer pan ring.
        • Spread the sour cream topping evenly on cheesecake.
        • Drizzle with caramel sauce and serve.
        • Enjoy.

        CARAMEL SAUCE
        1/2 cup heavy cream
        4 tablespoons butter, softened
        2 tablespoons light corn syrup
        3/4 cup sugar
        2+ tablespoons water

        • Combine the cream and butter in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
        • Remove from the heat.
        • In a medium saucepan cook the corn syrup over a medium heat until bubbly.
        • Fold in 1/4 cup of the sugar and continue to cook until the edges begin to turn a light amber color.
        • Add in 1/4 cup sugar more and repeat until all the sugar is blended in.
        • Continue cooking until amber color darkens stirring constantly.
        • Remove from the heat and carefully fold in the cream mixture.
        • Cook over medium heat stirring frequently until caramel is bubbling.
        • Serve warm.

        Makes 1 1/2 cups. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
        NOTE: Microwave20-30 seconds to soften refrigerated caramel before serving.