English Toffee Cheesecake

 This cheesecake is just as delicious as it is pretty and festive. 

So, how did I turn one of my husband's favorite desserts into one that is gluten free? 

Here's the substitutions I made with such fantastic results:

1. Instead of chocolate graham cracker crumbs, I used a 5-ounce package of  Pamela's Extreme Chocolate Mini Cookies. Divide the bag of cookies in half. Place each batch of cookies into the bowl of a food processor. Process each batch until the cookies are very fine.  Proceed as directed.

2. Heath brand candy bars do not contain gluten or wheat.

3.  The candies I used on top were also gluten free. If in doubt, contact the producer before using.

Here Is my recipe:

Crust:

5-ounce package Pamela’s Extreme Chocolate Mini Cookies, finely crushed

1/2 cup toasted almonds, finely chopped

1/2 cup Heath Bar, chopped

2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place crushed cookies, almonds, chopped candy, brown sugar, and salt in medium bowl. Mix thoroughly. Add melted butter; stir until moist clumps form. Using the back of a wooden spoon spread mixture over the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Firmly press crumbs evenly over the bottom and 1 inch up the sides. (I find that using the bottom of a custard cup to press the crumbs into place does a super job.)

Bake crust for approximately 5 minutes or until just set. Remove from oven, and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Filling

6 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1 cup brown sugar, packed

6 large eggs

1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

8 ounces Heath Bar, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Place cream cheese and sugar in bowl of an electric stand mixer. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and almond extract; blend well. Divide cream cheese mixture into halves. Pour 1/2 of the mixture into the prepared crust. Sprinkle with cut up Heath Bar pieces. Gently pour second half of cream cheese mixture over Heath Bar pieces. This should fill the pan to about 1/4 inch from top. Do not overfill. Bake approximately 55 minutes or until edges are puffed, but the center is barely set. Remove from oven, but do not turn oven off.

Topping

2 cups sour cream

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place sour cream, sugar and vanilla extract in medium bowl. Stir until well blended and smooth. Pour mixture over baked cheesecake. Return cheesecake to oven and continue to bake for about 5 minutes or until topping is just set. Transfer to a cooling rack. Cool for 10 minutes; run knife between cheesecake and sides of the springform pan. Refrigerate cheesecake uncovered overnight.

Remove sides of springform pan and place cheesecake on platter. Garnish or decorate as desired.

Possible Garnishes

Heath Bar crumbles sprinkled on top

Assorted gluten free seasonal candies

Cream cheese rosettes

Servings: 10-12

Author’s Note: This is a gluten free recipe only if the named products are used. Here, I used red and green gum bells, red and green M & M’s, and sugar sprinkles for a whimsical, festive garnishment for a Christmas theme. Other seasonal candies may be used for other holidays. Be creative! After all it is your kitchen!

Dietary Analysis:

·                     Items highlighted in yellow should be taken into careful consideration when looking at total food intake for the day.

·                     Items highlighted in green are indicate a low value when considering total food intake for the day.

Percent daily values based on the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.

Calories Per Serving: 801.57

Calories From Fat (69%) 555.54

% Daily Value

Total Fat 63.26g 97%

Saturated Fat 33.96g 170%

Cholesterol 266mg 89%

Sodium 560.37mg 23%

Potassium 322.55mg 9%

Total Carbohydrates 48.61g 16%

Fiber 1.26g 5%

Sugar 43.97g

Protein 12.47g 25%

Fiber 1.26g 5%

Copper 0.12mg 6%

Energy 3353.85

Glucose 0.37g

Iron 1.61mg 9%

Lactose 4.98g

Lysine 1g

Magnesium 35.77mg 9%

Manganese 0.18mg 9%

Net Carbohydrates 47.35g

Phosphorus 246.18mg 25%

Riboflavin 0.39mg 23%

Selenium 11.96mcg 17%

Thiamin 0.05mg 3%

Vitamin A 2172.19IU 43%

Vitamin B12 0.63mcg 11%

Vitamin B6 0.12mg 6%

Vitamin C 0.36mg <1 o:p="o:p">

Vitamin D 58.48IU 15%

Vitamin E 2.37mg 24%

Vitamin K 4.79mcg 6%

Zinc 1.26mg 8%

Author: Dr. Jacquelyn P. Horne

Copyright: 2012

Follow and tweet with me on Twitter

Connect with me on Facebook

Join my circle on Google+

Follow me on Pinterest

Our Christmas Dinner Tables--Seating for 18--Recipes to Come

Wouldn't you just love to be invited to eat at one of these tables!

Like most holidays around our home when folks are invited, I set two dining tables for Christmas. I like lots of layers of fabrics on my tables, particularly for special occasions. 


This year I chose to use one white and one green tablecloth. Read on to learn how I made two dining tables compatible and inviting.

Because the dark hue of the tablecloth and the almost equally dark tone of the red chargers zapped much of the  the luster from the table, white Battenberg placemats turned sideways so that a few inches hung over the edge became the backdrop for each place setting.


Atop each white placemat was a charger and a dinner plate with a Christmas pattern. Each place setting was flanked by appropriate silverware and a wine goblet. Two single red candle sticks, each home to a white candle shielded by a hurricane globe and surrounded by a candle ring of poinsettias made for a dual centerpiece.


The other, larger table was dressed with a white linen and cotton blend tablecloth. A 72" red cutwork topper provided a show-stopping contrast. Gold chargers were hosts to tone-on-tone china dinner plate. The same as with the smaller table, each place setting was flanked by appropriate silverware and a wine goblet. A mirrored runner resting on two glass blocks made for an interesting two-level centerpiece. Silk greenery was placed under the runner to conceal the glass blocks. Vases of varying heights and shapes held live greenery, Nandina berries, holly and a few red carnations. White candles in tall lead crystal candle holders punctuated the table.


Everyone always asks "How do you create such a festive table?" The answer is simple: I use of two napkins for every place setting. For the darker table, I chose one white Battenberg and one red napkin. I placed both at right angle to one another, pinched in the middle and then tucked the center into the wine glass at each place setting.


For my other table, I chose a green to match the bows on the chandelier and a slightly off-white napkin. 

Become Friends on Facebook


Join my Circle on Google+

Creole Veggie Dip

On aluminum tray on right side.

2 cups small curd cottage cheese

1 2/3 cups sour cream

2-3 tablespoons Creole seasoning

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

green onions or chives, finely chopped

raw vegetables

Place cottage cheese in bowl of food processor. Process until smooth. Add sour cream, Creole seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and salt. Process until thoroughly blended. To serve, place dip small bowl and garish with finely chopped green or chives. and arrange a variety of raw vegetables cut into bite sized pieces around bowl of dip.

Yield: About 4 cups

Author’s notes:

1. Control the degree of spiciness with the amount of Creole seasoning added.

^2. Be creative with dip container. Use a hollowed our bell pepper of any color or a polished red onion with center removed to within ¼” of onion wall.


Become a fan on Facebook


Join my circle on Google+

Date-Nut Meringue Balls

1 cup chopped dates, finely ground

½ cup walnuts, finely ground

½ teaspoon vanilla

2 egg whites

2/3 cup sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla

Red & green food coloring

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Combine dates, walnuts, and vanilla in small bowl; mix well. Shape into 3/4” balls. Place in refrigerator for 10- to 20-minutes.

In small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Stir in vanilla, and divide into half or more. Tint one part green, one red and so on until all meringue is tinted used. Drop balls one at a time into meringue; coat well and remove. Place on a well-greased cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Use the back of a spoon to swirl the top of each date-nut meringue ball.

Position rack to the middle of the oven. Bake at 200º for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Turn oven off and leave door closed for 1 to 2 hours.

Yield: 4-dozens


Become a fan on Facebook

Join my circle on Google+

It's Christmas Party Time

How would you like to have been a guest invited at this gluten free spread?

Between 50 and 60 folks enjoyed an evening of good food, good conversation and good wine. Did they know they were eating gluten free? Most of them did not.

Here's How I Put Our Christmas Party Together:

• I began with a pristine white tablecloth of linen and  cotton. 
• Using glass blocks as risers, I designed an interesting display of varying heights for platters and serving pieces.
• I used a cranberry colored synthetic blend tablecloth to cover the glass risers.
• Two 3-foot candle holders, which was home to two 3-inch column candles carried the eye upward for a BIG impact.

What's Were Those Yummies on the Table?

Smoked Salmon Spread

(Proprietary Recipe)

Pimento-Olive Cheese Loaf

World's Best Chicken Salad Served on Rice Wafers

(Proprietary Recipe)

Creole Veggie Dip with Veggie Dippers (Recipe)

Creamy Artichoke Caesar Dip

with Against the Grain Toasted Baguettes


Date-Nut Meringue Balls (Recipe)

Mocha-Chocolate Fondue with Marshmallows

Light Fruit & Cheese Tray with 

Maple Infused Fruit Dip (Recipe)

Mints

Toasted Mixed Nuts

Hot Cider

Artisan Wine

WOW!!!!! Lighted Fruit & Cheese Tray

Fan me on Facebook @ 4-U-Gluten-Free

Join my Google+ Circle

Blue Cheese and Bacon Dip

 Holidays, just like wine, are about food, friends and fun.  Having a few friends over does not have to be time consuming or complicated. A pretty Battenberg  place mat made the perfect setting for four Lenox holly etched red champagne flutes. 

In addition to the Blue Cheese and Bacon Dip (recipe follows), the complete menu included:

Maple Infused Fruit Dip with Apples  (Recipe)

Cheater's Eggnog  (Recipe)

2 tablespoons butter (no substitutes)

1 large onion, chopped

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 5-ounce package crumbled blue cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup Hellman's mayonnaise
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup bacon

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Place butter in medium skillet over low heat. Add chopped onion and cook, covered for 15 to 20 minutes or until onion begins to caramelize, stirring occasionally. Remove cover; add balsamic vinegar & salt. Stir until vinegar evaporates, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Place cream cheese, blue cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, mix thoroughly. Add onions, garlic powder and crumbled bacon. Combine thoroughly.

4. Spoon mixture into a 1 quart baking dish, and place in preheat oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until brown and bubbly on top. Remove from oven and garnish with dried chives. Serve immediately with gluten free crackers.

Servings: 6

Oven Temperature: 350°F

Recipe Type: Appetizer, Dips, Gluten Free, Holiday, Cheese

Author's Note:   We use gluten free Blue Diamond Rice Crackers

Join my Google+ Circle

4-U-Gluten-Free Facebook Fan Page

Gluten Free Holiday Season Begins with a Beautiful Backdrop

Atmosphere is everything! Setting a beautiful backdrop is the first step for a gluten free holiday.

Parents of a student I taught in the second grade- made the beautiful handcrafted ornament hanging below our chandelier in our dining room. By adding a few handmade bows in complementary colors, plus a few pieces of greenery begin to set the backdrop of good times and good food to come.

Fireplace flanked by two curved windows with padded deacons benches provide for comfy places to sit.

Welch cabinet situated at an angle in a corner of the dining room adds serving capability.











Fan me on 4-U-Gluten-Free fan page

Join my Google+ Circle