Friday, May 25, 2012

Foodie Friday with Geeky Blogger...



There are going to be some changes around here (more about that later), one of which is my new participation in Felicia's (from the Geeky Blogger Book Blog) new Foodie Friday's meme.  She started this meme to combine her two faves--books and cooking.  Seeing as how I share those loves AND cooking decreases my stress, I couldn't contain my excitement.  I could kill two birds with one stone. It will be the perfect addition to Reflections of a Bookaholic as other content will slow and I can document the cooking I will do as I attempt to decrease the stress of bar prep.

Here's MY plan...
I've wanted to review cookbooks for sometime but I never quite knew how to accomplish it.  I'm going to try 1 to 2 new recipes a week (for a month) from a cookbook and end the month with a review of the cookbook.  This way I hope to give a more balance review after trying a few recipes.

I'm so excited because I'll be cooking and talking about books at the same time.  Yess!

First Cookbook up?

Are you excited?  I hope so... Just in case you can't wait, here's a recipe for No bake Nutella Cheesecakes that I stumbled on top on on Pinterest and I just love it!!!  Mel from Mel's Kitchen Cafe adapted this recipe from My Baking Addiction.

I made them during during finals when I was on a study break and all my friends loved them.  They went so fast that I had to bake another batch so the hubby could give them a try.



NUTELLA CHEESECAKES
6 Servings (Note: I stretched this to extra mini cheesecakes and it made 12 servings)


INGREDIENTS:
Crust: 18 Oreo cookies, (Note: I definitely used more.  I wanted my crust a little thicker)
crushed into crumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted


Cheesecake:
12 ounces cream cheese, (Note: I actually used 1/3 fat free cream cheese)
1 cup nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread)
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons powdered sugar


Garnish:
Extra sweetened whipped cream, optional
Crushed oreos or chocolate curls, optional



DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, stir together the Oreo cookie crumbs and melted butter. (Note: I do scrape out the cream in the oreos but that isn't what the recipe calls for.  It's a personal preference) Evenly divide the crumbs between your individual serving dishes and press into the bottoms of the dishes to form a crust layer. Glass dessert cups work well for this, as well as mini-trifle dishes; you could also use a mini-cheesecake pan or simply small glass bowls.


In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until light and smooth. Add the nutella and mix until combined and smooth. Add the vanilla and mix to combine. In another medium/large bowl, whip the cream and powdered sugar together until medium to stiff peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the whipped cream into the cream cheese/nutella mixture until well blended and no streaks remain.


Spoon the filling into individual serving dishes on top of the crust. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving, at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.


If desired, garnish with additional whipped topping, chocolate shavings, and/or toasted, chopped hazelnuts.

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30 comments:

  1. I'm thrilled! Bring it on baby! I've been doing cookbook reviews on and off for years. And I agree it always helps when you feature a recipe or two.

    I looove that you included your notes.

    Nutella is like crack to me.

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    1. I've always enjoyed Nutella but became reinspired when I stumbled upon Nutella Gelatto at Central Market. I've been in nutella heaven ever since.

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  2. That is GREAT!!1 There is a whole community of food review bloggers, I came across one blogger that only review books that main topic is Food. I would not have ever thought their was such a thing. OH,i'm definitely trying this recipe and thanks for taking the time to list it.
    http://sidnereading.blogspot.com

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  3. Great idea for you -- a blog should have as much enjoyment for the writer as it does for the reader. Have fun!! Just got back from Italy and France and Nutella there is almost a religion. You can get these gallettes (super thin crepes made in from of you) spread with Nutella. Thank goodness I can't eat wheat or I would have come back as big as a house.

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    1. I agree. As my life changes, I'm trying to adapt here to reflect that. Oh those gallettes sound delish! I'm never able to withstand temptation though.

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  4. Love your plan! Nutella, oreo, cheesecake - all my favorites.
    I lived on nutella crepes in France, they're so addictive. :D

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    1. I've had nutella crepes in D.C. and they were divine. I'm sure they are even better in France.

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  5. I am going to have try Nutella---can you believe I haven't :) I am seriously picking up the stuff on the way home and will try it this weekend! Between you and Kristen I have dinner and dessert for Saturday night WOOT!

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    1. Oh wow, no nutella?! Run, don't walk, to the nearest grocery. You've got to give it a try.

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  6. This is very exciting. I can't wait to hear all about your baking adventures. I love to cook too and I agree that is a calming experience. I've always wanted to try and create recipes from food that I read about it books. Maybe someday I'll get around to it.

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    1. The only things that hold me back from cooking more from cook books are the myriad of ingredients that I would never use again.

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  7. The recipe sounds very nice! I'm going to give it a try myself.
    And I think this meme is lovely!

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  8. Love it! Love the whole idea!
    The cookbook reviews, the sharing of recipes, everything.
    I am really looking forward to this on your blog! Great idea.

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  9. the cookbook looks great! i'll have to check out the new meme!

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  10. Hi Alexis. This is a great idea. I have often thought of a good approach for reviewing cookbooks, but have not been able to fit it into my schedule. That recipe does look yummy. Your friends are lucky to have you.
    PS. I have not forgot about you. You never have to worry about me and a deadline. Hope all is doing well with you and hope you rocked those finals!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I'm always cooking for my friends because there skills are seriously lacking and I'm always floored by their eating habits Lol. But really it is more fun to cook for other people.

      I'm not worried at all. I'm grateful that you are helping out :)

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  11. This is something I need to get back into. I use to love to cook but when you are single it is soo much easier to call delivery.
    This looks so good. Love deserts!

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    1. Cooking is very calming for me so it is something I plan to fit in my schedule for the coming months.

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  12. Those look really tasty. Too bad I hate cream cheese and cheese cake! Cheese cake has always been one of those foods that I wished to God I liked the taste of because they just LOOK so good. But I can never get past the cream cheese taste to enjoy them. Looks really good though!

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    1. Oh I think that is great because cheesecake is SO unhealthy. They did come out pretty but I had to give them away because I would have gained like 50 pounds if I ate them all.

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  13. I'm allergic to nuts so I can't go near Nutella but my mom loves it. I'll have to share this with her. They do look yummy though and I do love cheesecake with a passion. Lol.

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    1. Ahhh! There are modifications on the original website for people who can't or choose not to eat nutella.

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  14. This looks delicious! So quick question, do you base your review off of the 6-8 recipes that you've actually tried?

    I love cooking but honestly, cookbooks scare me. They're always so massive.

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    1. Yes I'm going to base my ultimate review of the cookbook on the combined recipes. I'll tell my thoughts on each recipe each Friday but I don't really want to base my review of the entire cookbook on one recipe.

      They are. I always collect them and then forget about them :) I have so many where I haven't cooked not a one recipe.

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