Monday, December 27, 2010

Kraft's Best Cheesecake

1-3/4 cups HONEY MAID Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/3 cup margarine or butter, melted
1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
3 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling


PREHEAT oven to 350°F if using a silver 8- or 9-inch springform pan (or to 325°F if using a dark nonstick 8- or 9-inch springform pan). Mix graham cracker crumbs, margarine and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Press firmly onto bottom and 2-1/2 inches up side of pan; set aside.

BEAT cream cheese and the remaining 1 cup sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour into crust.

BAKE 1 hour to 1 hour 10 min. or until center is almost set. Turn oven off. Open oven door slightly. Let cheesecake set in oven 1 hour. Remove cheesecake from oven; cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Loosen cheesecake from rim of pan; remove rim. Top cheesecake with pie filling just before serving. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.


Friday, December 24, 2010

Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup


  1. Combine potatoes, celery, onion, ham, and water in stockpot and bring to boil.
  2. Then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender.
  3. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper.
  4. In separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook stirring constantly until thick.
  5. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form and all milk is added. Continue to stir until thick (4-5 minutes)
  6. Add in cheese and stir until melted.
  7. Stir the cheese mixture into the stockpot and cook until heated through.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Easy Mexican Black Bean Casserole

  • 16 ounces dried black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 16-oz. jar salsa, plus extra for serving, optional
  • 6 ounces shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack
  • Tortilla chips for serving, optional


Stir together beans, 4 cups water and salsa, if using, in slow cooker. Cover and cook on high until liquid is absorbed and beans are soft, 4 to 6 hours.

Sprinkle cheese over beans, cover and continue to cook until cheese is melted, 5 to 10 minutes. Spoon into bowls, top with additional salsa and serve with tortilla chips, if desired.

I made rice to go with this as well. You can mix it all together or serve them separate- which is what I do because my kids only eat the rice.