Monday, October 19, 2009

Mini Oreo Cheesecakes


Mini Oreo Cheesecakes

12 Oreos plus more for crumbling
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line muffin pans with paper liners or foil cups.
Split the cookies, keeping filling on one cookie. Place filling covered cookie in bake cups, filling side up. Set aside.
Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla till smooth and fluffy. Beat in eggs just till well mixed. Spoon the cream cheese mixture into bake cups. At this point you can crush the remaining Oreos and sprinkle the fine crumbs over the cheesecake mixture, or you can break up the Oreo halves and stir them into the batter.
Bake, uncovered, in 325 degree F oven for about 25 minutes or till set. Cool in pan set on a rack. Cover and chill. Makes 12

REVIEW:
These were pretty good! I liked the individual size of the cheesecake, as well as it is easy to serve. I made these for a Halloween party so I lined them with Halloween liners, but this recipe could easily be used for any holiday. It would be awesome with the holiday colored Oreos too!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Cheesy Pasta Alfredo with Salmon


Cheesy Pasta Alfredo with Salmon

16 oz. jar Alfredo sauce
1 pound salmon fillets
1 lemon, juiced
1 TBSP vinegar
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
16 oz. package uncooked rotini pasta
6 oz. package Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat Alfredo sauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Place salmon in baking dish. Mix lemon juice and vinegar in small bowl and pour over salmon. Season with basil and parsley.
Bake salmon 15 minutes in oven or until flaked with a fork. Remove from heat and break into bite sized pieces.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and place in a large bowl. Gently toss the salmon, pasta and Alfredo sauce together. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

REVIEW:
This was actually pretty good! The salmon especially with the seasonings made a really nice flavor to the pasta. I also added mushrooms (and I had planned on adding broccoli too, but forgot to actually add it in!), and that was tasty too. Other than using a different pasta (I like to mix it up), the recipe is good as is!