Crazy Busy Weekend

Good morning!

Ah, I have so much to catch up on!

My dad got in last night around 5 on his new motorcycle and stayed the night with us before heading home this morning.

Nick’s parents, sister and her husband got in around 7 last night and we started on dinner. Of course, everyone had to take turns riding on my dad’s new bike before eating, but dinner still turned out great!

We made our Caribbean feast  –

chik

I made our jerk marinade and let the chicken sit in that in the fridge until we were ready to grill.

I also made some peas and rice, based on a dish we had in the Bahamas and a recipe we found online, and used some of our fresh peas! We also had some grilled squash for a quick, summer meal.

chicken

Nick also made some blueberry mojitos, but none of my pictures turned out well!   :(

and then the cheesecake.

cheesecake

I am so happy with how it turned out! It didn’t crack at all (thanks to the water bath) and it was delicious!

cheesecake

Nick’s sister brought some fresh blueberries from Maryland, so we took about a cup of those and a Tbsp or so of agave nectar  and let that simmer until the berries broke down, then poured it over the slices and added a few pieces of our fresh mint.

chscake

The best thing about the cheesecake? You would never guess that’s it’s pretty healthy!

I used:

  • 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 8 oz. fat free cream cheese
  • 8 oz. low fat cream cheese
  • 1 cup park skim ricotta
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 cup sugar
  1. Spray 9″ springform pan with cooking spray and pat crumbs into bottom of pan. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Take out and let cool while you make the filling.
  2. Mix together the cream cheese and ricotta until smooth.
  3. Add in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the whites until mixture is smooth.
  4. Blend in the zest and sugar.
  5. Pour over crust.
  6. Put springform pan into deep dish, then pour hot water into dish so it comes 1/4- 1/2 way up the springform pan.
  7. Bake 50 minutes or until center looks almost set.
  8. Take out and let cool, then chill in fridge for 3-4 hours before serving.

A successful first cheesecake! I’m psyched  :)

——————–

Nick is doing the Ride, River, Run race this morning at 10 that is 14 miles bike riding, 7 miles paddling in the kayak, and 5 miles running. He’s crazy  :)

I got up and made my Mom’s breakfast casserole this morning for everyone to have while we’re getting ready to cheer him on.

bfastcass

For the casserole, I used:

  • 1 lb. lean turkey sausage
  • 1 pkg. low fat crescent rolls
  • 3 eggs, 1 cup egg whites
  • 1/2 cup fat free cheese
  • 1/4 cup colby/jack shredded cheese
  • salt, pepper, oregano

We also had some fresh berries on the side + coffee.

Good way to start the weekend!

The plan today is going to be kind of crazy – I’ve got a pork loin in the crockpot for lunch, pasta salad is made, and corn is in the fridge. It will probably be a late lunch (after the race is finished), then maybe a food/beer/wine festival today? I guess we’ll see  :)

Happy 4th of July!!!

16 comments

  1. Looks like your cheesecake turned out great!

    happy 4th!

  2. That cheesecake looks amazing!!! Thanks for the recipe! Have a great holiday :)

  3. Happy 4th July, Brandi!

    The cheesecake looks amazing- congrats! Sounds very healthy…taking note of the recipe :)

    Enjoy your day!

  4. Nice cheesecake!! Well done :)

    Have a great Fourth!

  5. all your food looks awesome- that cheescake looks amazing- I love the sauce on top!

    have an awesome 4th!!

  6. The cheesecake is GORGEOUS!!!

  7. congrats on a successful first cheesecake, brandi! it looks like it turned out very very yummy, esp with the fresh blueberry sauce. have fun today, and good luck to nick!

  8. That cheesecake looks awesome! You are quite the cook! Have fun today and hope Nick’s race goes well!

  9. wow that cheesecake looks delicious!! love the sauce over it too!
    happy 4th!

  10. Hooray on your first cheesecake turning out – looks amazing!!

    Hope Nick did great on his race – you are right – he is crazy!

  11. Beautiful! Congrats on that cheesecake!

  12. Ooooh cheesecake! I love cheesecake so much, and that one looks delicious! Beautiful, too. Great job!

  13. Your supper and first ever cheesecake look amazing! Yummy!

    Hope Nick had crazy-fun doing his race!

  14. Looks like you did a splendid job on that cheesecake! You are becoming more and more adventurous in your cooking escapades =D

  15. Cheesecake!! Yum.

  16. Wow, great job on the cheesecake! It looks amazing!

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