Lemon Cheesecake Bars

These creamy bars combine two of my favorite things - tangy lemon and cheesecake.  They are really easy to make but taste like they required hard work.  I have to refrain from making these every week.  I'd like to but my hips wouldn't appreciate it!!

Photo by me.

Lemon Cheesecake Bars
(recipe from allrecipes.com)

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, cubed

*Whisk flour and sugar together.  Cut in butter.  Press into a 9x13 pan that has been greased.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes.

• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup lemon juice

*Whisk together.  Pour over baked crust.  Skim off bubbles.

• 2 (8oz) packages cream cheese
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten

*Mix cream cheese and sugar.  Whisk in eggs.  Spread over lemon mixture.
*Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes until filling is set.  The lemon layers will separate as it bakes.

I make half the recipe in an 8x8 inch pan.  I also use light cream cheese.

Enjoy!
-C :)

Creamy Turkey and Pasta

Thanksgiving leftovers...  Here is something different from the hot turkey sandwiches and the turkey and stuffing casserole.  We enjoyed this simple and comforting dish.

Image by me.

Creamy Turkey and Pasta
(adapted from allrecipes.com)

• 12 oz rotini
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup turkey or chicken broth
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 package dry onion soup mix (1 1/2 tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups diced turkey

*Cook pasta as usual.
*Dissolve onion soup in water.
*Melt butter and add flour over medium low heat.  Cook until golden.
*Add garlic.
*Slowly add turkey stock, tomato sauce, and water.  Stir until bubbling.
*Add chicken and cheese.  Stir until melted.
*Pour over pasta and stir to mix.

Enjoy!
-C :)

Golden Chowder

Across most of the country it is spring, but here it is rainy and dreary.  The perfect day for a bowl of hot, steamy soup to take the chill out.  This soup is another recipe of my Mom's.  It is perfectly creamy and delicious.

I'm not sure why my picture is loading sideways.

Golden Chowder

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 2 cups carrots, chopped
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1 lb fresh or frozen broccoli, chopped
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 4 cups milk
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 2-4 cups shredded cheddar
• 2 cups ham, cubed

*In a large saucepan combine broth, celery, carrots and onion.  Boil, reduce heat.  Simmer covered for about 5 minutes.
*Add broccoli. Cook until broccoli is tender crisp.  (Leave lid slightly open to keep bright green color.)
*Remove from heat.  Do not drain.
*Melt butter in a large pan.  Blend in flour, salt and pepper.  Cook for 1 minute.
*Stir in milk.  Cook until mixture thickens, stirring frequently.
*Stir in cheese and cook until melted.
*Add the ham cubes and the vegetable/broth mixture.  Stir to blend.
*Garnish with paprika.

I hope you enjoy this as much as our family does!  Feel free to omit the ham ( I usually leave it out) and add whatever vegetables you have on hand.  The recipe adapts well.

Enjoy!
- Carla :)