CHEESECAKE

Ciao Everyone:)


Do you know what is wonderful?


(At this point, I can't help but wonder what may have just engulfed your mind from the myriad of things that could possibly be swirling in your thoughts at this very moment....is it not amazing how our minds can work that way?????)


Well, let's narrow it down a bit then...


When you think of WONDERFUL FOOD, what is the first thing that comes to mind?


I wonder if (at least in your top 10) you see a cheesecake...


Whether pure and simple is your style, or more decadent and intense, you gotta admit it....


Cheesecake is pretty wonderful;)


But there's this problem I have with it......


When there is a cheesecake, I am expected to act as if it is just another thing. Nothing special. Not ask for more than a few bites, because it's cheesecake and therefore to be savored in small amounts....


Well guess what??


I don't agree:P


I think there must be some way...some recipe....some secret from some parallel universe.... where it can be SO WONDERFUL not only in taste and smiles, but in healthiness! Purity, simplicity, deliciousness....


But can it be done????????


Time to say Heck Freakin Yes :)

The Red Lady's Cheesecake

(An original recipe)

Ingredients: 

(Crust:)

2 cups Cheerios

1/2 tablespoon Smart Balance, light

2 tablespoons vanilla almond milk 

(Filling:)

1/2 cup plain non-fat yogurt

3/4 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt

3/4 cup low fat cottage cheese

2/3 cup part skim ricotta cheese

3 egg whites

1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon Truvia baking blend

1 1/2 teaspoons (which is the same as 1/2 tablespoon) pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1.) Pour cheerios into your food processor and pulse until completely crushed.

2.) In a small bowl, mix together crushed cheerios, butter, and milk until completely combined.

3.) Spread evenly into the bottom of an 8" springform pan. (By the way, you may want to bake pan on a tin-foil lined baking sheet, just in case it leaks a little!)

4.) Rinse out food processor very well and dry with a paper towel. Combine yogurts and cheeses in your food processor until VERY smooth (which should only take a couple of minutes).

5.) Add the rest of your filling ingredients and pulse/blend until completely combined. 

6.) GENTLY pour a thin layer of filling over the crust, to make sure that the crust stays where it should....at the bottom! Set oven to 350 degrees to preheat. Leave your wonderful task until oven is heated.

7.) By the time your oven is heated, the cheese mixture layer should be ready to finish being poured on to. SLOWLY and CAREFULLY pour the rest of filling into pan.  Bake for 1 hour and 5 minutes.

8.) Shut off oven heat and let cheesecake sit in there for another 15-20 minutes.

9.) Enjoy plain, with some vanilla ice cream/frozen yogurt, or topped with an Easy Strawberry Topping*!!

*Easy Strawberry Topping*

Heat frozen strawberries in a microwave. When slightly warm and more mushy, cut into diced pieces. Stir in some honey or sugar if you so desire:)

 To Whom It May Concern:
A 1/8 piece of this cake will contain something like...
130 calories, 3g fat, 11g carbohydrates, and 8g of protein:)






Ciao for now:)

-The Red Lady-

P.S. Two quick notes:

One, if you prefer, you can substitute the truvia with 1/2 cup stevia (bakers bag) + 1 tablespoon instant non fat powdered milk

Two, if you feel daring, you could make this recipe into mini cheesecakes! Just do me a favor... remember to grease your baking pan!