Black Forest Cheesecake Pie

My husband and kids have a sweet tooth. I mean they always have to have something sweet to eat or nibble after a meal, either cookies, pie, or candy just to satisfy their craving for sweets.

There are times when I don't feel like making them something that needs a lot of ingredients and takes a lot of time to make. This dessert fits the bill. It doesn't call for tons of ingredients and I am thankful for ready-to-bake pie crust and ready made pie filling in cans, it just makes everything much more easier. 

This cheesecake is creamy, chocolaty, and easy to whip in a jiff. The hard part is the waiting part as the pie needs to be refrigerated to set. But don't fret...all the waiting will be worth it and your patience will be rewarded, I guarantee it. 

BLACK FOREST CHEESECAKE PIE

INGREDIENTS:

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened*

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1 egg

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ready-to-eat graham cracker pie crust

1 cup frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed

1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling, chilled

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. In small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese on medium speed of electric mixer until fluffy. 

3. Add sugar and cocoa. Beat until combined.

Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

I have made Salisbury steak many times before as it is one of my husband's favorite but let me tell you something, this particular recipe is unbelievably good! The humble ground beef seared in a hot skillet and drowning in delicious mushroom gravy totally turned this dish into a scrumptious meal. I know I found a recipe gem when my husband and kids want me to make it again and again...they totally love this dish! For me, this one is definitely a keeper!

SALISBURY STEAK WITH MUSHROOM GRAVY

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Serves 5

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped (white, brown or yellow)

2 garlic cloves, minced

5 ounce (150g) mushrooms, sliced

Salisbury Steak:

1 pound (500g) ground beef

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (or 1/3 cup ordinary breadcrumbs)

1 egg

2 tablespoons ketchup

1 beef bouillon cube, crumbled

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

3 teaspoons dijon mustard or 2 teaspoons dry mustard powder

Gravy:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 tablespoons plain flour

2 cups beef stock

1 cup water

2 teaspoons dijon mustard

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper, to taste

sliced scallions or parsley, for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes until onions are translucent. Remove half of the onions into a large bowl.

2. Add the mushrooms into the skillet and cook mushrooms for 2 minutes. Transfer into a medium bowl.

3. Add the Salisbury Steak ingredients into the large bowl. Use your hands to mix until just combined -- do not over mix.

4. Divide into 5 and pat into oval patties around 3/4" (1 2/3 cm) thick.

5. If your skillet is looking dry, add a splash of oil. Heat over high heat, then add the steaks and cook the first side for 1 minute or until browned, then flip and brown the other side (they will still be raw inside).

Mongolian Beef

  Every once in a while I crave for a great Chinese dish. Having said that, Mongolian beef always tops the list. This is my go-to recipe when my craving strikes. It is very easy to make, the ingredients are simple, and it is delicious as it looks. The combined flavor of the beef and sauce...hmmm, simply amazing. This is a fantastic recipe and it is definitely a keeper!

Ingredients

1 pound flank steak

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon ginger, minced

1 tablespoon garlic, chopped

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup water

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup vegetable oil, for frying

1/4 cup cornstarch

2 large green onions, sliced (I added 2 more green onion slices for garnish)

sesame seeds, (for garnish, optional)

Directions

To make the sauce (step 1 to step 3)
1. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil over medium/low heat. Don't get the oil too hot.
2. Add ginger and garlic to the pan and quickly add the soy sauce and water before the garlic scorches.

3. Dissolve the brown sugar in the sauce, then raise the heat to about medium and boil the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat.

4. Slice the flank steak against the grain into strips.

5. Dip the steak pieces into the cornstarch. Let the beef sit for about 10 minutes so that the cornstarch sticks.

6. Heat one cup of oil in a wok (or use a large skillet).

Juicy Barbecued Chicken Thighs

This is an easy and excellent BBQ chicken thighs recipe. The chicken marinated with seasonings, onions and mayo (6 hours to overnight) really makes the meat moist, tender, flavorful, and taste amazing! 

JUICY BARBECUED CHICKEN THIGHS

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 10

INGREDIENTS:

3 pounds (about 10) boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Sea salt (about 1 teaspoon)

Pepper (about 1/4 or to taste)

Mrs. Dash seasoning (about 1 teaspoon), plain or garlic variety, or your favorite seasoning

Garlic powder (about 1/2 teaspoon)

1 tablespoon Real Mayo

1 medium onion, thickly sliced

BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's)

DIRECTIONS:

Marinating the Meat:

1. Season both sides of chicken thighs to taste. (I used a total of 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.)
 Turn the chicken to coat evenly with seasoning.

2. Stir in 1 tablespoon Mayo and mix the chicken until evenly coated.

3. Add thick-sliced onion and toss everything together.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and marinade 6 hours or overnight.

Asian Steak Peppers and Onions

I absolutely love this beef recipe. The needed ingredients are simple and it is an easy preparation. It smells fantastic while cooking and ohhh the taste of the meat and its sauce...simply amazing! 

ASIAN STEAK PEPPERS AND ONIONS

INGREDIENTS:

1 3/4 pounds high quality steak (I used top sirloin)

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 medium onion, sliced

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

1/2 bell pepper, sliced

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

1 tablespoon chili paste

2 tablespoons olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut the steak into bite-sized pieces.

2. In a bowl, add the soy sauce, honey, chili paste, garlic and sesame oil; mix until combined.