HAPPY EASTER...........2009!

From Denny: From my rose garden to yours this year! Louisiana is in full bloom and the worst of pollen season is finally done. These are Tiffany roses. They practically glow from within with the golden hearts and the light perfumed scent is absolutely DIVINE!

Happy Easter to all! May this be a wonderful time of spiritual renewal for you whatever belief system you hold in your heart...

For more wonderful Easter photos from flickr friends and a few special ones of my own, check out the photo blog: Visual Insights.

HAPPY EASTER!!!

From Denny: From my rose garden to yours this year! Louisiana is in full bloom and the worst of pollen season is finally done. These are Tiffany roses. They practically glow from within with the golden hearts and the light perfumed scent is absolutely DIVINE!

Happy Easter to all! May this be a wonderful time of spiritual renewal for you whatever belief system you hold in your heart...

For more wonderful Easter photos from flickr friends and a few special ones of my own, check out the photo blog: Visual Insights.

Recipe: Oreo Cheesecake Bites

From Denny: Here's an easy little gem that sounds absolutely DIVINE to make for this Easter weekend! You could always substitute another hard cookie that your family enjoys or you just have on hand.

The ancient Romans always used cheese in their cakes and make cheesecake for their Spring celebrations. Here's an easy recipe for your family!

Ingredients:

36 OREO Cookies, divided

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, divided

4 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream

1 tsp. vanilla

4 eggs

4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate



Directions: HEAT oven to 325°F. Line 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, with ends extending over sides of pan. Finely crush 24 cookies. Melt 1/4 cup butter; mix with crumbs. Press onto bottom of prepared pan.

BEAT cream cheese and sugar with mixer until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each just until blended. Chop remaining cookies. Gently stir into batter; pour over crust.

BAKE 45 min. or until center is almost set. Cool. Meanwhile, microwave chocolate and remaining butter in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min.; stir until smooth. Cool slightly; spread over top of cheesecake. Refrigerate 4 hours. Use foil handles to lift cheesecake from pan before cutting to serve.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories 220

Total fat 16g

Saturated fat 9g

Cholesterol 70mg

Sodium 180mg

Carbohydrate 17g

Dietary fiber 1g

Sugars 12g

Protein 3g

Vitamin A 10%DV

Vitamin C 0%DV

Calcium 4%DV

Iron

Confessions of a Cajun Traiteuse - Herbs - Part III

Image via Wikipedia

Confessions of a Cajun Traiteuse - Herbs - Part III: "The drying and preparation of various herbal remedies was family affair, both non-optional and necessary. Herbs were both for healing and cooking. I feel blessed that knowing how to grow, care for, harvest, and understanding the uses for these common herbs were a part of my Cajun heritage and my early training as a Cajun traiteuse." 3 videos.

By Jerilee Wei

Video: Bake a Cake in the Can!

Bake a Cake in the Can! (and you can ship it!) This was a novel idea, easy and fast. A lot like a chocolate souffle and little flour. Sort of a cross between a flourless chocolate cake and a chocolate souffle. Demo by a chef.

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