Patriotic Treats: Red, White and Blueberry

You picked the short straw and got stuck bringing a dessert to the Memorial Day BBQ. Before you go out and get the store bought sugar cookies and place them next to the homemade appetizers and entrees, that people planned weeks before, try this recipe. At least read it and let it kick around your thoughts for a minute. First of all, it is so easy! Second, it is delicious and third, it will make you the hit of the party, because admit it everyone loves the person that brought the amazing dessert. A memorable dessert gets you invited to more parties. Store bought cookies...not so much.

So it was my turn to draw the coveted (not really) dessert card and with it a determination to bring a dessert that I was proud of walking in with instead of trying to hide it in a bag until it was time to serve. I got inspiration from a picture on Pinterest from the website the-girl-who-ate-everything.com of a Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberry. I decided to take it further with my own Cheesecake recipe, cutting the strawberries in half to make them bite-size and adding a blueberry to go with the red, white and blue theme of Memorial Day.

All I can say is that when everyone is stuffing their face with dessert and it's completely quiet, you know you have a winner. And this recipe is a winner. The fluffy cheesecake with the sweetness of the strawberry and tartness of the blueberry is a perfect marriage. And if the lemon juice seems a bit strange to you in the cheesecake mixture, please just try it once for me, because it brings a fresh hint to the mixture that makes a big difference in the taste.

Red, White and Blueberry Cheesecake Bites

Serves 12

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Rest time: 1 hour

Cheesecake Mixture

I package Jell-O No Bake Original Cheesecake
8 oz. mascarpone cheese
¾ cup cream cheese
½ ricotta cheese
1 ½ tbsp vanilla extract
Juice of ½ lemon

4 lb strawberries

6 oz blueberries

Directions:

Prepare a sheet pan covered with parchment paper.

Clean the strawberries and then pull off the leafy top, cut in half and then trim the tops cutting in a V-shape and clean out the center. The smaller ones do not need to be cut in half but instead just trimming the top and cleaning out the center of the strawberry is adequate.  

In a mixing bowl add the Jell-O No Bake Cheesecake mix and 1 ½ cup of milk as directed on the box. Mix for 3 minutes with a hand mixer and then add the mascarpone cheese, cream cheese and ricotta cheese all at room temperature as well as the lemon juice and vanilla extra at a low speed incorporating all the ingredients.Transfer the mixture to a freezer size zip lock bag and cut the corner when ready to fill the strawberries.

Fill the strawberries with the cheesecake mixture and then place a blueberry in the center. Place the strawberries on the prepared cookie sheet and then place in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour.

Take out the strawberry cheesecake bites out of the refrigerator and place on a serving plate for presentation 15-20 minutes prior to serving.

The Picture Perfect Picnic

As summer quickly arrives, so too does the oppurtunity to pack a picnic. Communities are frequently having events during the summer such as "Movie Night under the Stars" or "Concert in the Park" where bringing a picnic is perfect for such occasions. And in all actuality you do not even need an excuse to pack a picnic. What better reason is there on a perfect spring, or summer, day to eat outside, feeling the sun against your back and the slight breeze brushing against your cheeks? Or if you live in a place similiar to where I live now, where there is no breeze and its hot, like 100 degrees hot, a picnic can still be fun in spite of the weather as long as you know to plan and pack the perfect meal in that picnic basket of yours.

  "Concert in the Park" Menu

Fresh Strawberries, Candied Walnuts, Feta Cheese on Arugula with Balsamic Viniagrette

Gazpacho

Strawberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting a la Betty Croker

White Wine Sangria

Iced Tea

Plenty of Iced Water

**And don't forget Fido!

If you are bringing your dog, like I always do, make sure to pack your pooch plenty of iced water, their own dinner, a special treat and a damp wash rag to rub them with when they get hot.

I love this menu bevause it is easy to make and so many of the ingredients scream "SUMMER" to me like those in in the Gazpacho.The tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and even a jalopeno, come together to create a refreshing coolness from the cucumber, the sweetness of tomatoes and just a little kick from the jalopeno, The menu is also light and absent of heavy foods which in the heat is always appreciated. The Strawberries, Candied Walnuts, Feta Cheese on Arugula with Balsamic Vineagriette has the perfect balance of sweet but with the salty, tartness of the balsamic vinegar and peppery note of the arugula. Even the strawberry cupcakes with their fluffy texture are better than a rich chololate cupcake that would make you feel full and weighed down in the heat. And what goes perfect with a early evening picnic? White wine sangria of course.With white peaches, green apples, mixed berries and an orange come together with white wine, a bit of brandy and I add Sparkling Water to my Sangria because I like fizziness it creates. Just a warning, it  tastes delicious and fruity but it still has quite a bit of alcohol in it. A bottle of white wine and a cup of Brandy, so drink responsibly.

  

For packing the salads I got a great idea from Pinterest and the Homemade Diva for packing up salads. She uses a mason jar and layers all the ingredients in it, starting with dressing at the bottom and the most fragile ingredients at the top. For this salad, I would start with the dressing, then layer the candied walnuts, feta cheese, strawberries and the the arugula at the top.You can make a mason jar for each guest and when they are ready to eat, they simply shake the closed jar to get the salad dressing distrbuted throughout and then it doubles as a plate (or bowl). Less mess and less dishes. Definitely scores points in my book of absolutely fabulous ideas. Check out her post to see how she does it: http://homemadediva.tumblr.com/post/16237802731/the-greatest-salad-solution-ever

And if the picnic you planned does get halted due to weather, do what I do. Have a carpet picnic. Spread the blanket over the floor and set up your basket as you would at the park. If it was a movie night that you are missing, then pick a classic black and white movie or a romantic comedy, turn the lights in the house down, light candles and it is almost like you are having your movie night under the stars with just a little imagination. Or maybe it is a concert series that you are going to miss out on. Same idea. Turn your family room into a park by setting up your picnic lunch on a blanket and finding an awesome mix on your iPod or Pandora. It may not be what you were excited for, but think of the positives. No long lines at the bathrooms, or even worse portable bathrooms, and a sunburn in spite of your timely and constant SPF protection reapplications. And what’s stopping you from dancing in the family room, because you know you would be dancing at the concert in the park.