A Little Heaven in a Jar

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….I don’t often make dessert but this recipe for cheesecake made in a slow cooker intrigued me

The original recipe comes from Chef Ricardo’s cookbook, Ricardo: Slow Cooker and was reprinted in the Life section of Saturday’s paper. I was drawn to the recipe for two reasons: 1. It is prepared in a slow cooker and 2. it is prepared in individual ramekins or small canning jars.

Since we were having the family over for Sunday lunch and Game Day, I decided to make the salad and dessert portions of the meal. The menu consisted of Orange, Avocado and Red Onion Salad, which I posted here, cornmeal and jalapeño muffins, beef enchiladas, Mexican rice and cheesecake in a jar.

Cheesecake with Strawberries and Graham Cracker Crumble in a Jar

Serves 4

1 pkg. (250g or 8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

75 mL (1/3 cup) sugar

1 egg

60 mL (1/4 cup) 35% cream

5 mL (1 tsp.) vanilla extract

Crumble

125 mL (1/2 cup) graham cracker crumbs

60 mL (1/4 cup) all-purpose flour

30 mL (2 tbsp) brown sugar

60 mL (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened

Fruit Topping

250 mL (1 cup) diced strawberries or favourite fruit

15 mL (1 tbsp.) sugar or sweetener

Whipped Cream (optional)

Directions:

1. Place a clean cloth in the bottom of the slow cooker. I forgot and two of the jars broke as soon as I added the hot water.

2. In a food processor combine all the ingredients for the cheesecake (not the crumble or fruit) and puree until smooth.

3. Pour into clean ramekins or small canning jars and place in the slow cooker. Carefully pour hot water (not boiling) around the jars until the water reaches the half way mark on the jars.

4. Cover and cook on low heat for 90 minutes until firm and slightly puffed. Remove from the slow cooker and let cool. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours until completely chilled.

5. Crumble:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

6. In a bowl combine the dry ingredients and add the butter. Using your hands mix the mixture until crumbly. Drop onto the baking sheet. Bake, stirring twice during the baking process for about 15 minutes or until golden in colour. Let cool.

Strawberries:

Wash the strawberries and dice. Toss with the sugar or sweetener of your choice. Set aside to macerate.

When ready to serve, garnish each ramekin or jar with the graham cracker crumble, strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream.

Enjoy!

29 Faces Challenge – Day 7

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….up until today I’ve used photographs for my drawings

Today I created a face from memory. It isn’t of anyone in particular, in fact it has a sort of ‘alien’ quality to it. I used pencil and a watercolour wash.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Selfie

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Mama Cormier

…..I recently downloaded an app called Photo Sketch that turns photos into sketches or adds filters

Turn Back the Clock

If only it was

that simple to erase the

lines and flaws of time

29 Faces Challenge – Day 6

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Mama Cormier

…..using technology to create faces

Today I downloaded some apps onto my iPhone and started to play. The first face is a photograph made to look like a sketch and the second face was created using my finger as the pencil.

I posted this yesterday and tonight I found it sitting in a draft file.Sigh!

29 Faces Challenge – Day 5

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….from the cover of the cookbook ‘Two Greedy Italians’

I had no intention of turning him into a ‘blue man’ but when I washed over the black marker it bled into a deep blue.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Walk 100 Steps or less and take new photos

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….I know that Cee is already onto a new challenge but today’s snow in front of the house made for some interesting shots in front of my house

And to think we’re only half way through winter. The snow just keeps coming.

CFFC – Fun Photo

29 Faces Challenge – Day 4

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….it’s a little late

A Clay Workshop for Teachers

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….most schools don’t have kilns so working with clay has been largely non-existent

I have tried using air dried clays in the past but not with much success. This workshop let teachers experiment and play with a variety of air dry clays that are available from the board supply catalogue and from the local art store. I always thought that this type of clay was too expensive to use with a class, never mind 5 classes.

We enjoyed working with most of the brands. Of course the one brand we didn’t like was the one we can order from the board. The others were all soft and easy to handle and manipulate. We could also compare the prices and since we were allowed to take home our little pinch pots we can compare each brand for the time it takes to dry.

After experimenting with the different brands of clay, the real fun began. We used photos from the famous artist, Karl Blossfeldt, for inspiration and created three dimensional sculptures with the clay we liked the best. I was really impressed with how creative everyone was. At the end of the class all the pieces were attractively displayed with the photographs that inspired the creations.

Here are some close=ups of the individual pieces.

: This one is my creation.

I’m actually excited about using clay with some of my art classes.

29 Faces Challenge – Day 3

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Mama Cormier

Anticipation

Cheeks glowing brightly

From copious sips of wine

Eyes bright and searching

I posted this yesterday but it went back into my draft file. Frustrating!

Share Your World – Week 5, 2014

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….here’s how I feel in this moment in time…..tomorrow my answers could be different

If you had a choice to live anywhere would be your preference salt water beaches, forest, fresh water lakes, hot tub, ski resort or desert?

My preference would be a fresh water beach. My cottage is on the most beautiful beach in Georgian Bay. The bay is part of the Great Lakes in Ontario. I’m only there in the summer so I might not feel the same way if I lived there in the winter, especially this winter. It’s been brutally cold. So if I were to live in one place year round I might choose a salt water beach in a warm climate.

What was your favorite toy as a child . . . and now?

My mother hated clutter and if our toys weren’t put away they eventually ended up in the garbage. The only toy I can remember having for a long time was a baby doll that I named Dorothy. When you fed her she would wet her diapers and her eyes closed when you laid her down. Now my favourite toys are my laptop and my ukulele. I would be lost without my computer and I’ve only recently pulled my ukulele out of storage. Some day I might actually learn how to play it proficiently. Currently I know only a few chords. I need to practise, practise, practise…..

Which do you prefer sweet, salty or both at the same time?

I initially wanted to say sweet but I actually love both at the same time. My favourite popcorn is Chicago style which is a combination of cheese popcorn and caramel popcorn. Yum!

Would you prefer snowy winters, or not, and why?

I prefer snowy winters but this year has been a bit much. It’s not the snow that bothers me but the frigid sub-zero temperatures and icy conditions have been extreme this year. I love the sound of soft crunchy snow under my boots and it has never stopped me from going for walks. The ice, however, this year has been treacherous and I spent some time in the emergency ward with my husband after he slipped and fell. Luckily he didn’t break anything but he did collapse his lungs and stretched the connective tissues between his ribs, causing him a great deal of pain. After three weeks he is just starting to feel better. Come to think of it, the winter where we had no snow and mild temperatures sounds pretty good right now. We were able to ride our bikes all winter. Hmmmm!!!!!