Author Archives: Parker

Peach and Brandy Marscapone Cheesecake with Pecan Crust and a Sweet Balsamic Reduction

 

Peach and Brandy Marscapone Cheesecake that won't make your ass fat, I peeeeeromise!

Peach and Brandy Marscapone Cheesecake that won’t make your ass fat, I peeeeeromise!

Now before you get your panties in a bunch cuz I’m tempting you to cheat on your diet— relax. It’s Sugar Free! And it’s Gluten Free! Go ahead, let your friends think they’re indulging– no one has to know it’s goodferya!

Cheesecake filling:
1 Tb butter
3 peeled, pitted peaches
1/4 cup brandy
1 Tb vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
8oz marscapone cheese
2 1/2 blocks of cream cheese (two 8oz boxes and 1/2 of another) *bring to room temperature
1 Tb fresh lemon juice
3 eggs
1/2 cup Truvia

Crust:
2 cups of pecans ground up in the food processor until fine
3 Tb of melted butter

Topping:
3/4 cup balsamic vinegar reduced down to a sweet syrupy delish

In medium sauce pan, melt butter and stir in peeled, pitted peaches. Smash down peaches into the butter and let simmer for 5 minutes on medium heat. Add 1/4 cup brandy, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg and let the peaches macerate (fancy way of saying let them get mushy and absorb the booze and butter!) for another 10-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes.

Put peach mixture into a food processor (or blender) and mix for 30 seconds. Add the marscapone and the cream cheese, lemon juice, truvia and eggs and blend for 1-2 minutes until combined without any lumps.

Combine pecans and melted butter and press down into a greased Springform pan. Pour in cheesecake filling and bake at 325 for one hour. Cool cheesecake in fridge for 3 hours before serving.

Immediately before serving, make balsamic topping. Pour 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce down on medium high heat until balsamic vinegar turns the consistency of syrup. Drizzle on top of cheesecake right before you serve it.

 

 

 

 

Holy Guacamole!

 

Holy Guacamole with Holy Homemade chips

Holy Guacamole with Holy Homemade chips

Guacamole:

4 avocados
1/4 cup chopped red onion
Palmful of fresh cilantro chopped
1 diced jalapeño (no seeds)
Juice of one lime squeezed
1 tomato chopped
Kosher salt to taste

Mash avocados with lime juice and fold in rest of ingredients.

Homemade Chips:

Corn or flour tortillas
Canola or corn oil

Cut corn or flour tortillas into triangles. Meanwhile, heat 2-3 inches of canola or corn oil in a deep rimmed frying pan or Dutch oven on medium heat until it sizzles if you flick a little water on it. Pop tortillas into oil and flip over when browned on one side. They may bubble up, which I love! Drain on paper towel and sprinkle kosher salt on chips.

Dip in guac and enjoy!

Fresh Mozzarella, Basil and Watermelon Skewers

Alternate balls of watermelon, fresh mozzarella and basil

Alternate balls of watermelon, fresh mozzarella and basil

Salad on a stick?  BAM.

Just get out your melon baller and scoop some juicy, seedless watermelon.  Then alternate those delish balls of fresh mozzarella with basil.  Drizzle some balsamic vinegar on it if you’re feeling crazy!  Your guests will be super impressed, indeed!