Key Lime Cheesecake

I found this recipe on Group Recipes and I knew I had to make it for Paul's birthday. It was pretty easy and extremely tasty!

The set-up

(I also purchased a few regular limes in case I didn't have enough juice. After my hand wore out on the small limes, I did juice one regular lime. There. I admit I sorta cheated.)

Getting the lime juice out of the itty-bitty key limes was not easy, but so worth it!


Recipe


* 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
* 5 tablespoons butter, melted
* 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
* 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 5 limes)
* 3 eggs
* whipped cream (for dolloping later)



1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2. Make the crust by combining the graham cracker crumbs with the butter and 1 tablespoon sugar in a medium bowl.

3. Stir well enough to coat all of the crumbs with the butter.

4. Press the crumbs onto the bottom and about one half of the way up the sides of an 8-inch springform pan. You don't want the crust to to form all the way up the back of each slice of cheesecake.

5. Bake the crust for 5 minutes, then set it aside until you are ready to fill it.

6. In a large mixing bowl, combine creamcheese, 1 cup sugar, and vanilla. Mix with an electric mixer until smooth.

7. Add the lime juice and eggs and continue to beat until smooth and creamy.

8. Pour the filling into the pan.

9. Bake for 60-70 minutes (if the top of the cheesecake is turning light brown, it's done).

10. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

11. When the cheesecake has come to room temperature, put it into the refrigerator.

12. Once the cheesecake has chilled, remove the pan sides and cut the cheese cake into 8 equal slices (or size of desire). (I let mine cool overnight)

13. Serve with a generous dollop of whipped cream on top. Garnish with lime zest and slices of key limes.

The finished cake (I had plenty of limes leftover for garnishing - maybe a little too much on the garnish!)


The birthday boy approves!

Grilled Summer Squash/Zucchini Vinaigrette

I found this recipe while looking for ways to cook summer squash & zucchini. We had been grilling them with a few spices/olive oil and red onions, which was quite tasty, but we needed something fresh. This recipe is delicious!




Grilled Summer Squash Vinaigrette

6 servings

Hands on: 5 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 clove garlic, minced (I've used 2 cloves, crushed with a garlic press)

Pinch of cayenne pepper (I've used about 1/4 teaspoon)

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 1/2 pounds summer squash and/zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices

Oil for coating grill grate

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (opt)

Heat the grill to medium high, for direct-heat cooking. Mix the vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cayenne, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Toss 2 tablespoons of this mixture with the squash in a medium bowl or plastic bag until evenly coated. Brush the grill grate with oil or cooking spray (Weber's is awesome). Put the squash on the hot grill, cover, and cook until browned and barely tender, about 6 minutes, turning halfway through. Put on a serving platter and immediately pour the remaining vinaigrette over the squash and serve (DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BASTE THE VEGGIES WITH THE MIXTURE ON THE GRILL - it will produce flames).

*Goes great with steak!*


Recipe By Elizabeth Lee | Wednesday, June 20, 2007, 12:19 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution