Mommielady, I'm in Love with the curbless shower, even a year later! Not only does it have the appearance of making the room seem more open, with no curb to step (or trip) over on the way in/out, it's easy access. My Dad had problems with his hips in his old age, my mom has problems with her knees, and I have at times been physically handicapped enough to know that a shower you can simply walk into is much easier than one you step into. With aging and genetics being what they are, I was going to make it as easy on myself as I could. (If I'm ripping out the rest of the bathroom, well then why not?) Also, water does sometimes go beyond the opening, and a curb would make it seem more of a problem than if I expected it to stay within certain boundaries, especially since there's no door on the shower. I don't plan on being in a wheelchair, but I know how easy my shower is to access for anyone (even to bathe the dog). I would do it again in a HEARTBEAT. Is the end result of going curbless worth the headache of removing pre-existing concrete? It was for me, absolutely. If your contractor doesn't have experience with this however, I would find someone who does. Removing the concrete seems less problematic to me than getting the right slope on your mudbed so the drain will handle the water in the shower. You absolutely need someone with experience at this, so pick your tile guy carefully. Yes, the drain is off-center. Being centered, especially with two straight and a bowed wall didn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. What matters is the slope of the floor which allows the water to drain. The only way to get that is to build it from scratch. No, it wasn't hard for my tile guy to get the slope, although he had experience. They did have to tear out to the sub-floor so there'd be enough room to run the heated floor into the shower. I particularly love this because it dries the shower floor and I've never had an issue or mold or mildew. Again, setting a heated floor mat into your mud bed can be tricky so you really want someone who is experienced and will assume some liability with the company who manufactures the floor mat (I used Sun Touch). That way if there are problems, you have someone who knows where the problems can arise, and which path to take. What I saved on keeping the shower doorless (by not purchasing a frame-less glass door) allowed me to use the savings on the heated floor. I'm sorry, I couldn't back up enough in my small bathroom to get a picture of the entrance with my camera! It's very small, which is why I love so much having the feeling of even a little more open space. I hope this helps you.

No, I haven't needed to service the washer or dryer at all. (It probably helps that I bought Mieles, as they've been trouble-free little workhorses. I'm opinionated about buying as much quality you can afford at the outset, to avoid problems later on, which has served me very well in this instance.) As far as accessing the dryer vent, I haven't actually ever done that. It vents down through a crawl space and out the foundation of our house. (You make me wonder however if it's time to go check on that, to see how much build-up there might be.) I don't seem to get an overabundance of dust, and am pretty meticulous about keeping the mesh lint screen cleaned after every dryer load, so that's probably helped. The washer is a tight fit, but can be moved. We need two people to actually pick it up (a couple of inches) to move it out, but have only needed to move it once in the time it's been there. (That was in the beginning when I had the sheet metal pan made, which took some time to procure and set into place. I also went the extra mile and bought metal mesh supply lines for peace of mind, knowing that moving the washer or dryer would take some planning!) The turn-off valve is at the back of the washer (behind the laundry basket) and rather hard for me to access as I'm short and don't have long arms. The Mieles are deep, rather than wide and because of this, I keep a step ladder (just in case) at that end of my home in my closet, so I can reach it quickly if the need ever arises. Hopefully it never will, but I did plan for the eventuality. This is absolutely some of the best space planning I've ever done. I can't tell you how easy it is to deal with laundry at this stage of my life...you'll just have to experience it yourself! If I ever have to move from here, I would repeat every detail exactly as is, in a heartbeat. Good luck!

Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Thu, Apr 8, 10 at 9:44 I'm confused? I thought the pasta cookalong was next week, as the pasta party. I didn't do it this past weekend because I thought that's what we were doing. Well, that, and I've been very busy and was gone last weekend. So, the pasta party and pasta cookalong are/were two different things? Thats okay, as I could eat pasta every day...well, I could if I wanted to gain 300 pounds, lol. Bring on the cream cheese, because I'll buy it thinking I'll use it, then it will sit in the fridge for months before I toss it because it's old. It'll be good to get some recipes. Sally o RE: Cookalong #24 ----------PASTA!!!!!!! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Thu, Apr 8, 10 at 11:40 That settles it Sally, you're just going to have to make a dish this weekend that uses pasta AND cream cheese. Might I suggest noodle pudding, known as "kugel" around my house. I may have a recipe if you would like. o RE: Cookalong #24 ----------PASTA!!!!!!! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Fri, Apr 9, 10 at 9:31 That sounds like a great idea. You want to post it on the pasta party or cream cheese thread? Actually, I'm going out of town again this weekend, but I plan to take whatever I need with me to do the pasta party - I just won't be able to post about it till Monday night or Tuesday. Sally o Pesto Trappanese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by johnliu (My Page) on Fri, Apr 9, 10 at 11:02 Pesto Trappanese This is a dead-easy summer dish, as with many Italian recipes either find really good ingredients or don't make it. Ideal picnic food. Tomato â€" 2 cups, dice by hand, no need to peel or seed. Or, quarter a bunch of cherry tomatoes, which is labor-intensive but flavorful. Parmesan or Asagio or similar salty, hard cheese - 1/2 cup, grated. Chop coarsely by hand: Basil â€" 1-2 cup fresh leaves (or chiffonade which looks prettiest) Garlic â€" 2-3 cloves Almonds â€" ½ cup or more, toasted lightly Optional - a couple of shallots, a bit of fresh mint. Combine. Add to taste: Salt â€" Kosher ideally Pepper â€" fresh cracked Olive oil Lemon - squeeze juice Optional - a bit of red wine vinegar Serve on pasta, cooked in salted water, pasta should be cooled or chilled. I like spirals becuse they are cute and hold the pesto well. Do not use a food processor, the tomatoes tend to turn to juice, the rest becomes too fine, and when mixed up the whole thing looks disturbingly like stomach contents. o RE: Cookalong #24 ----------PASTA!!!!!!! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by paprikash (My Page) on Fri, Apr 9, 10 at 14:20 This is absolutely the best tuna noodle casserole I have ever tasted. My husband couldn't stop eating it (little did he know he was eating artichoke hearts....) * Exported from MasterCook * Mediterranean Tuna Casserole Recipe By : Cooking Enthusiast Catalog Serving Size : 4 Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 6 ounces egg noodles -- cooked al dente 3 tablespoons butter 1/2 red pepper -- diced 1 clove garlic -- peeled and minced 4 ounces baby portobella mushrooms -- sliced 1 7 oz can artichoke hearts -- drained and chopped 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup milk 1 cup heavy cream 2 4 oz cans bonito del norte tuna -- drained 3/4 cup parmesan cheese -- shredded 3 scallions -- thinly sliced 1/2 cup crispy onions 1/4 cup Italian style panko breadcrumbs Melt butter in large saucepot over medium heat. Add red peppers and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add mushrooms and cook until soft, about 4-6 minutes. Stir in artichoke hearts and flour. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in milk and heavy cream and cook until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon, about 12-15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat. In large bowl, combine the egg noodles, tuna, scallions, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese and sauce mixture. Grease a 10" round casserole, add noodle mixture and top with crispy onions, remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs. Bake in a 400* oven for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NOTES : I probably used closer to 8 oz of baby portobellas and I used regular panko crumbs. I used the canned French's onion rings (Cooking Enthusiast sells their "crispy onions" but I've never bought them). The French's onion rings were starting to burn after 15 minutes so don't top with them until the last 8 to 10 minutes or leave them off. I do buy my tuna fish from Cooking Enthusiast -- it's packed in olive oil and wonderful but I am sure regular tuna fish packed in olive oil will work fine, too. o RE: Cookalong #24 ----------PASTA!!!!!!! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by mamalou (My Page) on Fri, Apr 9, 10 at 18:18 I made Lpinkmountain's recipe (sorry, don't know your real name) for Spaghetti al Tonno / Pasta with Tuna Sauce. It was delicious and I used the anchovies, lemon zest, and olives. The instructions did not say when to add in the anchovies, so I added them in with the onion as I have seen done on the food network. My husband and I both went back for seconds. Thanks for sharing such a great, quick recipe! o RE: Cookalong #24 ----------PASTA Recipe!!!!!!! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by mamalou (My Page) on Fri, Apr 9, 10 at 18:28 Here is a recipe my niece shared with me that is very delicious. Orecchiette with Spicy Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Courtesy of Giada Delurentis. Ingredients: 3TBOlive Oil 1 pkg spicy sausage casings removed 2 bunches Broccoli Rabe (I use one) 3-5 cloves garlic minced pinch of dried red pepper flakes (or more if you can take it) 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated 1/2 tea fresh ground black pepper Directions: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil Broccoli Rabe for one minute. Strain broccoli rabe reserving all cooking liquid. Cook orecchiette in the same water as the broccoli rabe until al dente. Drain reserving one cup of cooking liquid. Meanwhile cook sausage in large skillet with oil breaking into pieces. Cook until brown and juices form. Add garlic and red pepper, saute until fragrant. Add broccoli rabe toss to coat . Add pasta and enough reserved cooking liquid to keep moisten. Stir Parmesan salt to taste and fresh ground pepper to taste into mixture. Enjoy o RE: Cookalong #24 ----------PASTA!!!!!!! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Fri, Apr 9, 10 at 22:37 That's right Mamalou, Joyce says to add the anchovies after sauteeing the onions until transluscent. Sorry I left them out! I tried to like anchovies but I just can't do it, lol! My name is Laurie but I like to go by my screen name or Lpink for short, just for privacy's sake. If it was just the regular members on here that knew my name I wouldn't mind, but with the Internet, anything can come up in a search anywhere. Glad you like the pasta. I've been wanting to make it for the longest time, but I also want to make Sharon's pasta with peas and bacon, and a recipe I have for spinach fettucinni. And I still have orzo minestrone to eat up, one week later. So much pasta, so little time . . . o RE: Cookalong #24 ----------PASTA!!!!!!! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by cookingrvc (My Page) on Fri, Apr 9, 10 at 23:22 Ok, had forgotten about this but I turns out that I was planning to make pasta tomorrow so I guess I'm in! I have some fresh portobello agnolotti which I plan to serve with a white truffle cream sauce (got the truffle cream, just need to make a sauce base) as a first course. Small serving - just enough. Second course will be a grilled flank steak with some sides - I'll see what looks good in the market. I like the boiled, smashed, then roasted red potatoes (Pioneer Women) that someone posted and might add a bit of onion. Sue o RE: Cookalong #24 ----------PASTA!!!!!!! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lorijean44 (My Page) on Sat, Apr 10, 10 at 10:41 Here's my contribution to the cookalong: Bowties with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Cream 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 pound sweet Italian sausage 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1/2 cup diced onion 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 28-ounce can Italian diced tomatoes 1-1/2 cups whipping cream 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 pound bowtie pasta 3 tablespoons fresh minced basil Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley Heat oil in large heavy skillet over medium heat. Remove casings from sausage, crumble and cook in oil with crushed pepper until sausage is no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Add onion and garlic and cook another 5-7 minutes until tender. Drain tomatoes, chop coarsely and stir into sausage along with cream, salt and basil. Simmer until mixture thickens slightly, about 4 minutes. In a separate pot of boiling water cook pasta al dente. Drain pasta and add to simmering sauce. Garnish with Parmesan and parsley. Serves 4. Source: An Appetite for Art, copyright 2001 Lori o RE: Cookalong #24 ----------PASTA!!!!!!! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by mamalou (My Page) on Sun, Apr 11, 10 at 16:54 Thanks LPink! We enjoyed the leftovers today...they tasted even better than the first time!! Yum!

o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by kathleen_li (My Page) on Sun, Apr 11, 10 at 16:36 I don't know Food, but don't use it if you make this..it doesn't come out nice and creamy... Photobucket Photobucket Crab Spread.. 1/2 lb crab meat 8 oz cream cheese 1 small onion, minced 1 heaping teaspoon horseradish, or to taste 3 TBS cream or 1/2 and 1/2 juice of a half lemon pepper Mix all together. Spread into greased casserole.Sprinkle with crumbled bacon or slivered almonds..Bake till it bubbles and browns lightly..350 deg. Allow to sit a few mins before serving on crackers. Apricot Cheese Coffee Cake Photobucket Photobucket Here is the recipe, from Land O Lakes Country Heritage. Coffee Cake Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 2 LAND O LAKESâ„¢ All-Natural Farm-Fresh Eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt Filling Ingredients: 1/4 cup sugar 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 LAND O LAKESâ„¢ All-Natural Farm-Fresh Egg 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel 1 (12-ounce) jar apricot preserves Glaze Ingredients: 1/3 cup powdered sugar 1 to 2 teaspoons lemon juice Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour bottom and sides of 10-inch springform pan. Set aside. Combine all coffee cake ingredients in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Spread batter on bottom and 2 inches up sides of prepared pan. Combine all filling ingredients except apricot preserves in small bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Spread evenly over batter in pan. Spoon preserves evenly over filling. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Cool 20 minutes. Loosen sides of cake from pan by running knife around inside of pan; remove sides of pan. Meanwhile, stir together powdered sugar and enough lemon juice for desired drizzling consistency in small bowl. Drizzle over warm coffee cake. Serve warm or cold; store refrigerated. I am enjoying reading and seeing the recipes. I make the cheese coffee cake that Annt does, my pic isn't as good! :) o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by denise8101214 (My Page) on Sun, Apr 11, 10 at 16:58 Here is a link to the previous cookalongs. I'm sure that we would all appreciate additions to any of these old threads if any one has found great uses of these ingredients. Here is a link that might be useful: All the other Cookalongs o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by mamalou (My Page) on Sun, Apr 11, 10 at 17:11 Caramel Apple Cheesecake I made this recipe for Thanksgiving and everyone said it was a KEEPER!! The whole thing disappeared! 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 3 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans Filling 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 3/4 cup sugar 3 eggs 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract Topping 2 1/2 cups chopped peeled apples 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 6 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping, divided sweetened whipped cream 2 tablespoons chopped pecans Directions: 1. Combine the first five ingredients; press onto the bottom of a lightly greased 9-inch spring form pan. 2. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes; cool. 3. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. 4. Add eggs; beat on low just until combined. 5. Stir in vanilla. 6. Pour over crust. 7. Toss apples with lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon; spoon over filling. 8. Place cheesecake/pan in a large rectangular baking pan filled with 2 inches of hot water; place in 350 degree oven and bake for 55-60 minutes or until center is almost set. 9. Remove cheesecake from oven and water-filled pan and cool on a wire rack to 10 minutes. 10. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. 11. Drizzle with 4 tablespoons caramel topping. 12. Cool for 1 hour. 13. Refrigerate overnight. 14. Remove sides of pan. 15. Just before serving, garnish with whipped cream. 16. Drizzle with remaining caramel; sprinkle with pecans. 17. Store in refrigerator. X-Treme Chocolate Double Nut Caramel Ladyfinger Torte Kathy Specht, Cambria, California Southern Living, OCTOBER 2004 Prep: 30 min., Cool: 5 min., Cook: 5 min., Chill: 1 hr. Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels 2 (3-ounce) packages ladyfingers 1 (13-ounce) jar hazelnut spread (I use Nutella brand) 20 caramels 2 1/3 cups whipping cream, divided 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans 1/3 cup DOMINO 10-X Confectioners Sugar 1 (8-ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened 2 tablespoons crème de cacao 3 (1-ounce) semisweet chocolate baking squares 2 tablespoons DOMINO 10-X Confectioners Sugar Directions: Microwave chocolate morsels at HIGH 90 seconds or until melted, stirring at 30 second intervals; cool 5 minutes, and set aside. Split ladyfingers, and stand halves around edge of a 9-inch spring form pan, placing rounded sides against pan; line bottom of pan with remaining halves. Reserve remaining ladyfingers for other uses. Spread hazelnut spread evenly over ladyfingers on bottom of pan. Cook caramels and 1/3 cup whipping cream in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, just until melted. Stir in pecans until coated; spoon caramel mixture evenly over hazelnut spread. Beat 1/3 cup confectioners sugar and cream cheese in a medium bowl at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add crème de cacao; beat until blended. Beat in melted morsels until blended. Beat remaining 2 cups whipping cream in a medium bowl at medium speed with an electric mixer until stiff; fold into cream cheese mixture, and spoon evenly over caramel layer in pan. Shave baking squares with a vegetable peeler evenly on top. Sprinkle evenly with 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar. Chill 1 hour. Yield: Makes 12 servings o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Sun, Apr 11, 10 at 19:21 Neufatchel, which has a little hat on one of the vowels but I don't know how to type that, has 1/3 less the calories than regular cream cheese, so 1/3 less taste. I've read it is not good for cheesecake but I don't make cheesecake anyway. I have seen recipes for cheesecake using it in Cooking Light magazine, but I dunno if the recipes are any good. Probably not good in danish and the like either. I use it mostly to spread on bagels and toast and english muffins, in which case it tastes just fine. I top it with a dab of homeade jam, yum. Great with lox, since that has a strong taste so I don't miss the extra taste for that application. Fine with those dream eggs, because they were flavored with the herbs anyway, and the neufatchel just added a wonderful creamy texture, even with 1/3 less fat. Since cream cheese is almost pure fat, 1/3 less doesn't make it a diet food by any means, but I like it just as well if not better than cream cheese for what I use it for, so that's what I buy for the calorie savings. I don't mind it in party spreads either. If I want them to taste "fatter" I can always add mayo or butter. o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by foodonastump (My Page) on Mon, Apr 12, 10 at 10:48 Thanks lpink - but is there any taste difference between it and 1/3 less fat cream cheese? It looks like Philly makes both, so there must be some difference, no? The recipe I was looking at was artichoke dip. o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by chase (My Page) on Mon, Apr 12, 10 at 15:54 This is a great spread. I especially like to put it in a pretty ramekin and bring it, along with a spreader, as a hostess gift Homemade Boursin With Fresh Herbs 1 lb farmers cheese, or 1/2 cottage cheese & 1/2 Ricotta 8 ounces cream cheese 1/2 cup butter, softened 4 large garlic cloves, minced 2 medium shallots, minced 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped finely and packed tight 1/2 cup chopped fresh thyme OR 2/3 cups fresh dill chopped finely 1/3 cup chives, chopped finely 1 tsp pepper, freshly ground 1/4 tsp cayenne Blend the cheeses and butter, add the remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Store in small crocks or ramekins in the fridge until well chilled. o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Mon, Apr 12, 10 at 17:13 The taste difference is that stuff made with neufatchel tastes 1/3 less rich, and with 1/3 less fat carrying the flavor, neufatchel doesn't have the same "creamy" taste of cream cheese. However, I LIKE the taste of neufatchel better than cream cheese, to me it's slightly tangier. NO FAT cream cheese, on the other hand, tastes "gummy" to me and with almost no taste, it's all gummy texture. The best I can describe it is tastes slightly of plastic. o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by beanthere_dunthat (My Page) on Mon, Apr 12, 10 at 20:16 I agree with Lpink - it's a little tangier and less creamy. IMO, no-fat cream cheese is awful stuff. "Plastic" is a good description for it. I'll do without or make a different recipe before I'd use/eat it. I made this today. Yummy stuff. Miss Verba's Pimento Cheese Ingredients: 1 pound sharp yellow cheddar 1/4 pound cream cheese, softened 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper 3 large red bell peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded, and chopped 1/2 cup homemade mayonnaise or best-quality commercial mayonnaise 1 teaspoon sugar Splash of hot sauce, such as Tabasco or Cholulu 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) Method: 1. Grind the cheddar in a food processor fitted with the grating disk, or grate it on the small-holed side of a hand grater. 2. Transfer the grated cheese to a bowl, add the cream cheese, white pepper, bell peppers, mayonnaise, sugar, hot sauce, and cayenne, if using, and blend all together thoroughly. 3. Refrigerate and serve chilled. (The spread will keep for several days in the refrigerator, but it usually disappears long before than.) Source: Frank Stitt's Southern Table: Recipes and Gracious Traditions from Highlands Bar and Grill My notes: I used Cabot extra sharp cheddar (so mine isn't really the "proper" color). Normally, I'd cut the sugar, but I was using Duke's mayo (which has no sugar), so this amount was about right. o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by doucanoe (My Page) on Mon, Apr 12, 10 at 21:23 I use Neufchatel almost exclusively these days and have not noticed any real diference in flavor or richness. Funny the difference in what people can taste. I actually prefer "parmesan" over "parmigianno reggiano". To me it tastes better! OMG..I am DEFINITELY going to make that Apricot Cream Cheese Coffeecake! (I feel faint....) Linda o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Mon, Apr 12, 10 at 22:02 I agree with Doucanoe, I think with spreads and highly seasoned dishes neufatchel is good. Even with blintzes or fillings. Where it wouldn't do too good is where the cream cheese is the major fat in the recipe, like a cookie dough or cake recipe, or frosting. o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Tue, Apr 13, 10 at 10:44 Alexa, I'll be making the coffee cake recipe you posted when it's my turn to take a treat to our Knitting Circle at the library. Mmmmm. I'm not a big fan of cheesecake but I often make these when bite-sized desserts are needed. I usually mix up the dough and shape the balls (store tightly covered) the night before but bake them the day of the event. TINY CHERRY CHEESECAKES 1 cup flour 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup baking cocoa 1/2 cup cold butter 2 Tbsp. cold water Filling: 2 packages (3 oz. each) cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup sugar 2 Tbsp. Milk 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 egg 1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar and cocoa: cut in butter until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide and shape into 24 balls. Place a ball in greased miniature muffin cups; press dough evenly onto the bottom and up the sides of each cup. In a mixing bowl, beat cram cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in milk and vanilla. Add egg; beat on low just until combined. Spoon about 1 tablespoonful into each cup. Bake at 325 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Carefully remove from pans to cool completely. Top with pie filling. Store in the refrigerator. Makes 2 dozen. o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by natesgram (My Page) on Tue, Apr 13, 10 at 10:49 I asked the group last week if I could freeze these and the only problem I've had is that they went too quickly. They are great cold or even frozen! Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies - Martha Stewart's Cookies Makes about 25 sandwiches Ingredients: 1 cup packed light-brown sugar 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 2 large eggs, room temperature 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots, (about 3 large carrots) 1 cup raisins Cream Cheese Frosting: 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, room temperature 1 cup confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract For the cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with Silpat baking mats or parchment paper, and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine sugars and butter; beat until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat on medium speed until well combined. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger; stir to combine. Gradually add flour to butter mixture; mix on a low speed until just blended. Mix in oats, carrots, and raisins. Chill dough in refrigerator until firm, at least 1 hour. Using a 1/2-ounce ice-cream scoop, scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between cookies. Transfer to oven, and bake until browned and crisped, rotating pan halfway through baking to ensure even color, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat baking process with remaining dough. Once cooled completely, use an offset spatula to spread about 2 teaspoons of cream-cheese filling onto a cookie. Sandwich together with a second cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Cream Cheese Frosting: Place cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Using a rubber spatula, soften cream cheese. Gradually add butter, and continue beating until smooth and well blended. Sift in confectioners' sugar, and continue beating until smooth. Add vanilla, and stir to combine. Photobucket I'm sorry I don't know the rules on cookalongs but could I suggest all types of beans? o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by kathleenca (My Page) on Tue, Apr 13, 10 at 18:38 Hi natesgram, Beans were the subject of the 21st cookalong - see the following link. :) When it's time for the next cookalong, wizardnm will pull a name from those who contributed to the current cookalong, & that person selects the next topic. I hope you're enjoying it. BTW, links to all the cookalongs are in this link: Here is a link that might be useful: Cookalong #21 --- Beans o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by natesgram (My Page) on Tue, Apr 13, 10 at 22:51 Thank you Kathleen, so many good recipes and so little time to read them all. I'll check out that link. :) o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by georgysmom (My Page) on Wed, Apr 14, 10 at 10:15 Jezebel Sauce 1 (18 oz.) jar pineapple preserves 1 (18oz.) jar apple jelly 1 can dry mustard (1.12 oz.) 1 5 oz jar horseradish 1 T. coarsely ground black pepper Mix together in blender and pour back into jars......... Refrigerate. Serve over cream cheese with favorite cracker. I prefer wheat thins with this. . o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by cookebook (My Page) on Wed, Apr 14, 10 at 13:14 My Mom's Cucumber Sandwiches in her words: 1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheeseâ€"I always use the Neufchatel 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped fine 2-3 green onions with tops, chopped fine Soften cream cheese, thin with a little milk, yogurt or sour cream and 1 tablespoon real mayonnaise. Add chopped veggiess and season with 1/2 teaspoon each lemon pepper and cayenne pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste. Spread mixture on heavy brown bread and cut each sandwich into 3 or 4 pieces desired shape. Make at least the day before serving. Cover and refrigerate with damp paper towels on top of sandwiches so they will stay moist. Makes 4-5 large sandwichesâ€"maybe 4 because I like lots of filling in mine. o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Thu, Apr 15, 10 at 11:23 OK, better late than never: JALAPENO CHEESECAKE (MY FAVORITE) 8 ounces cream cheese 5 ounces sharp che4ddar cheese, grated 2 cloves garlic 1 egg 8 ounces jalapeno jelly Mix first four ingredients with half of the jelly. Pour mixture into greased 6 inch springform pan. Bake at 350 for 335 minutes. Cool completely and remove from pan, heat remaining jelly and pour over top of cheesecake. Serve with crackers. Note: I made a double batch and baked it in a round cake pan with a "releaser" bar that spins around the bottom to prevent sticking. I just dumped it out and spread the jelly on the bottom, no one notices because it’s covered with jelly!! I use my own home canned Habanero Gold to make this stuff, and I'll be making 8 or 10 of them for that wedding in May. Somehow I just know I'm going to be eating some of them myself, and I'm going to experiment with making one with a fruit jam instead of the hot pepper jam and see how that works, the bride wanted something "sweet", she says "only the guys will like the hot stuff". HUH? I love it and I'm sure not a guy! Annie o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by kathleen_li (My Page) on Sat, Apr 17, 10 at 22:12 You are not late, still one more day! :) o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Sun, Apr 18, 10 at 11:11 Nate, I want to make those cookies! I have a lot of carrots, and today just might be a great day to make cookies with my grandson. "• For an extra-fancy presentation, borrow an old trick from French chef Michele Girard. Serve the eggs in their shells by carefully cutting away the top third of each shell, emptying out the egg, then sterilizing the shell in simmering water. Drain completely. Have egg cups handy. Stuff the hot eggs into the shells, mounding them high. Sprinkle with a little fresh herb for color and serve." ...Yeah, right. But the eggs sound very good. I'll have to try those sometime. Lpink, that kugel recipe looks interesting, too. I've never had anything like it. I'm wondering if I could do something along those lines, varying some of the ingredients, and using that chocolate pasta I haven't gotten around to using yet. I'll think about it and come up with something I hope works. Ann, your recipes and photos are always so tempting and beautiful! David, I want to save that onion dip recipe, too. Everyone's recipes look so good. Great choice. Sally o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by beanthere_dunthat (My Page) on Sun, Apr 18, 10 at 19:01 LOL! Sally, I believe my response to that part of the recipe was "Yeah, I'll do that the day after h_ll freezes over. Sure thing." But since it was part of the original recipe in the newsletter, I figured I should include it. :) Nate's killing me with those cookies. I'm going to have to make them now that I know they can be frozen! o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Sun, Apr 18, 10 at 19:26 OK, I'm still chuckling about Renee cutting the tops off egg shells, sterilizing them and filling them with cooked egg, or anything else. ROFL. I just finished two of the habanero cheesecakes for the wedding so I even cooked along for a change. Thanks, Kathleen, for letting me know I'm not late. I just figured I was, I always am, somehow... Annie o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Sun, Apr 18, 10 at 22:41 Well, I had good intentions, and got started, but ran out of time to meet tonight's deadline. DH and I went out today on a chicken coop tour of East Dallas. (which was lots of fun, but a whole nother topic) Then I had to clean the kitchen in order to cook in it. But, my little grandson (a month away from 3 yrs. old) and I did get started on Nate's carrot cake cookies, but since we didn't finish making the dough until an hour before his bed time, and the dough has to chill at least an hour, it'll be tomorrow before we bake them and do the cream cheese part. It doesn't matter. Both DGS and I had a great time mixing up the batter. He got to taste the flour, the sugar, the butter, and all the other ingredients as they went into the mix. No germaphobes need taste these cookies when they're done! Thanks Nate for the recipe, and the fun time with my grandson! Sally o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Apr 19, 10 at 8:06 Great response, everyone loves to bake and cook with cream cheese. Thank You to all that contributed!! I just pulled out a name for the next ingredient choice..... >>>>>>>>>> Tracey_Oh <<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Please post your ingredient pick here....... Nancy o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by tracey_oh (My Page) on Mon, Apr 19, 10 at 9:25 Whoo hoo! Ok, I think I'm going to go with peanut butter. If I had to pick one food to live on, it would definitely be that. Thanks again Nancy for organizing these cookalongs! o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Apr 19, 10 at 11:33 Great choice! I love peanut butter too. Thanks Tracey! Nancy Here is a link that might be useful: Cookalong #26 ----- Peanut Butter o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sherrmann (My Page) on Mon, Apr 19, 10 at 12:08 Gosh, the only recipe I have that uses peanut butter is for Peanut Butter Cookies! I put it under jam and on toast and bananas and apples all the time, but don't use it in "recipes." I can't wait to see what we get here! Sherry o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Mon, Apr 19, 10 at 14:19 Sally, I'm still chuckling over the "chicken coop tour". Now there's something I'd really like! Annie o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Mon, Apr 19, 10 at 15:59 Oh, Annie, it was a blast! I can post over on conversations about it, if anyone's interested. Sally o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Mon, Apr 19, 10 at 17:01 I'm interested, I don't know about anyone else. Deanna, maybe? Annie o RE: Cookalong #25 --------- Cream Cheese clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by claire_de_luna (My Page) on Mon, Apr 19, 10 at 17:08 Oh I'm definitely interested in a Chicken Coop Tour! Do tell Sally!