No Bake Cherries Jubilee Cheesecake Parfaits

Seeing cherry trees in full bloom is one of those sights that must be seen. Especially when there are endless rows of them in an orchard. The sight rows upon rows of heavily laden pink hued blossomed branches set against a blue spring sky is literally breathtaking. Yet, seeing trees with their stark branches set against the back drop of deep blue winter sky and blanketed by snow is it's own kind of beauty. Taking in the landscape of a cherry orchard is akin to drinking a magic elixir. You can't help but feel completely smitten with it's beauty. Having had the experience of seeing cherry trees in all of their spring glory and their winter hibernation, I can honestly say both are equally visually compelling sights. But for completely different reasons. On my recent trip up to Door County, I came home with photos of orchards, bags of chocolate covered cherries, jars of cherry jam, and only one jar of a cherries jubilee topping. I realized what a bad one jar decision I made as soon as I took a bite of these No Bake Cherries Jubilee Cheesecake Parfaits. 

Summer may be months away but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy cherries in the off season. These elegant, yet easy to make No Bake Cherries Jubilee Cheesecake Parfaits are a perfect way to get your cherry fix in year round. 

A trend of simple meals, simple desserts seems to be emerging here on the blog. Whether with age comes wisdom or not, this emerging trend is one definitely growing on me. And hopefully you too! Especially when these semi-homemade recipes taste and look like those time and labor intensive homemade ones. 

Sometimes you want to serve a substantially sized dessert. Then there are those other times where you want the meal to end with a 'small' bite to satisfy the need to end the meal with a little sweetness. Depending on which size glasses or jars you use, this recipe makes enough to serve four to eight. Maybe even up to ten! Whichever sized parfait you make, they are definitely one of those destined make friends or influence people desserts!

Cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and freshly squeezed lemon juice create the cheesecake layers. Store bought graham crackers lightly toasted in the oven, cherries jubilee topping, lightly sweetened whipped cream, and a cherry for the top make up the rest of the ingredients for the parfaits. 

Allowing the cream cheese to soften slightly will help to ensure it whips up smoothly. The key to creating the most luscious cheesecake filling is beating the mixture until it is super light and creamy. Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds just the right amount of tartness. 

Toasting the graham crackers in the oven before crushing them will keep them from softening in the assembled parfaits. Because you definitely want a bit of crunch in your spoonfuls. 

You can serve the parfaits immediately after you make them or you can make them several hours or more ahead. Just cover, keep them chilled, and wait to put the finishing touch of the lightly sweetened whipped cream and cherry on top!

For the cherry layers I used a jar of Cherries Jubilee topping I bought up in Door County (ordering information is listed below). If you live near a town filled with cherry orchards you might find one similar. Or you can make your own (recipe listed below in the notes). But if you don't want to wait for a mail ordered jar or make your ow cherries jubilee, a jar/can of a good cherry pie filling is yet another option. 

The cheesecake and cherry lovers in your life these No Bake Cherries Jubilee Cheesecake Parfaits are the embodiment of everything they love. Which means their love for your cooking will only deepen. If, by chance, you serve this to first time guests at your dinner table, some will be wondering how to get on next invite list. For those who are repeat dinner guests, they might be wondering why you were holding out on them. Seriously, these parfaits are the dreamiest, creamiest, crave worthy little bites of deliciousness. Unlike some cheesecakes, these parfaits are more light than heavy in texture. And visually, these parfaits are absolutely stunning! So, if you are looking for an impressive dessert, one delivering huge on flavor, and super simple to make these No Bake Cherries Jubilee Cheesecake Parfaits are the ones you want! Just in case you need a reminder, don't be so quick to tell everyone how easy they were to make. Enjoy letting them think you spent hours creating these little masterpieces for awhile before you spill the beans. 

Recipe
No Bake Cherries Jubilee Cheesecake Parfaits
Serves 4 to 8 or maybe even 10 (depending on size of glass/jar used)

Ingredients
1 pound (452 g) cream cheese, slightly softened
1 - 14 ounce (396 g) can of sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons good quality vanilla
12 double sized graham crackers (about 1 1/2 sleeves), toasted and crushed
19 ounce (538 g) jar of cherries jubilee topping. Note: You can make your own (see below), purchase online (link here), or use a good quality cherry pie filling
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup (40 g) confectionary sugar, sifted
4-8 stemmed cherries (fresh, amarena, or luxardo cherries)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Place graham crackers on a cookie sheet. Toast graham crackers in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Let cool completely before crushing. Put graham crackers in a large ziplock back. Use a rolling pin to create crumbs. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese until smooth and creamy (about 3-4 minutes).
3. Add in the sweetened condensed milk. Beat until mixture is well blended and creamy.
4. With the mixer on low add in the vanilla and lemon juice. Beat until very smooth and creamy.
5. Using stemless wine glasses or small jars/clear glasses, layer the graham cracker crumbs, followed by the cheesecake filling, and then the cherries. Repeat the layering process a second time. If not serving immediately, cover and chill. Note: Can be made early in the day.
6. When ready to serve, whip the whipping cream and confectionary sugar until firm peaks form. Pipe the whipped cream on top of the cherry mixture. Top with a fresh cherry, pitted amarena cherries with stems, or luxardo cherries! Note: If the parfaits were chilled, wait until you are ready to serve to pipe on the sweetened whipped cream.

Notes: (1) The size of the glass and/or jar used will determine how many parfaits this recipe will make. Using a stemless wine glass, it will yield 4 servings. But using smaller clear glasses or jars, it will yield at least 8 servings. If using smaller glasses/jars, fill them to almost the top. (2) I used this 19 ounce jar of Cherries Jubilee Topping from Lautenbach's Orchard Company. You could use a good quality cherry pie filling or make your own cherries jubilee. If you make your own cherries jubilee, you will need to make ahead. See recipe below. (3) If not using fresh cherries to top the parfaits, use the Pitted Amarena Cherries with Stems from Trader Joe's or Luxardo Cherries.

Cherries Jubilee Recipe: 2 cups frozen or canned red tart cherries, 3/4 cup tart cherry juice, 3/4 cup water, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/3 cup brandy. Combine cherry juice, water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir to dissolve sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, mix in the cornstarch, and stir constantly until the mixture has thickened Add the cherries and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from the heat an stir in the vanilla. Add the brandy and ignite with a match. When the flame subsides, stir and let come to room temperature. Pour into a large jar, seal, and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Cherry Orchards, Door County, Wisconsin (February 2020)

Baked Spinach and Cheese Tortelloni

Needing a change in scenery I took a short trip up to Door County (WI) earlier this week. For the last two weeks I had been watching the weather on a twice, sometimes four times daily basis, trying to see if there was a window of uneventful, non-treacherous travel. Weather here in the midwest can be on the unpredictable side. With three days of predicted partly sunny skies and moderate temperatures, I packed up my camera and headed up north to one of my happy places. Door County never disappoints, but for the first time in all of the winters I have driven up there, it exceeded my expectations. With blue skies and temperatures in the 40s (definitely balmy weather this time of year), I spent ten to twelve hours a day outdoors. In addition to going to some of my favorite places, I made some new discoveries driving around the two lane back roads. If my license plates didn't give me away, my roadside parking, along with the where my camera was pointed, did. Not many Wisconsin residents leave their car doors open as they walk along the highway with their cameras trying to conjure their cow and horse whisperer skills. In my defense there isn't much traffic on the roads crisscrossing a landscape rich in farms and incredible landscapes. As it happened there was one exception. While I was completely lost in taking photos, I thought I heard a car in the distance. Running as fast I could back to my car to close the door, the oncoming car slowed down and came to a stop. After the woman first asked me if everything was okay, she asked if I was taking photos of the grazing dairy cows I could only respond by saying 'Can you tell I am not from around here?'. Fortunately this made her laugh. And it probably gave her a story to tell around her dinner table. Stories like this one explains, in part, why some of my friends are often reluctant to take their life in their hands traveling with me. My driving, the frequent stops to take photos, and my boldness in knocking on the doors of farmhouses (at least I have the good sense not to trespass on private property) means I am often taking solo trips up to Door County. Although truth be told, having a couple of days away by myself always resets my spirit.

I left for home about six hours earlier than originally planned as there was a significant winter storm predicted back in the Illinois. A storm that never managed to materialize. But cutting this trip a little short just gave me another reason to travel back up there in the months ahead. This next trip won't just be about hiking and exploring, it will also be about stocking up on some of the award winning Wisconsin cheeses I tasted on this trip. Wisconsin is cheese heaven. Just like this Baked Spinach and Cheese Tortelloni!

Speaking of cheeses, the cold weather months are perfect for making this Baked Spinach and Cheese Tortelloni topped with fresh mozzarella. It's one of those simple, good for soul kind of dishes. Elegant enough for a dinner party and casual enough for a weeknight dinner, it's destined to become a favorite.

If making a one pot meal using a good quality jarred marinara sauce and fresh pasta bought from the grocery store appeals to you, today is your lucky day. From start to finish this Baked Spinach and Cheese Tortelloni comes together in less than an hour. You can even make the casserole early in the day and pop it in the oven when you are ready to serve dinner. How easy is that?

You have a number of options when making this dish. You can use mild or spicy Italian sausage; use spinach and cheese tortelloni, use spinach only, or use cheese only. And using fresh pasta (the kind usually found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store) eliminates the need to pre-cook it before assembling the casserole. 

Adding whole milk ricotta to the sauce creates an even heartier, richer pasta dish. Adding some red wine to the dish makes for an even more deeply flavored sauce. But the addition of fennel seeds adds yet another flavor dimension.

After all of the ingredients are mixed together, the dish is topped with sliced and/or grated (or a combination of sliced and grated) fresh mozzarella. 

In a preheated 400 (F) degree oven, the Baked Spinach and Cheese Tortelloni bakes for 25-30 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling along the edges and tortelloni is tender.

The aroma coming out of the oven is intoxicating!

Winter weather puts me in a comfort food kind of mood. And this deeply flavorful, soul satisfying Baked Spinach and Cheese Tortelloni is akin to sitting by a warm fire and drinking a glass of wine. You can't help but feel better than good after eating it. Who doesn't want to serve an incredibly delicious, stress-free, crave-worthy meal to family and friends? Especially one so simple to make. Looking for a reason to invite people over for dinner this weekend? Well, here it is!

Don't forget to serve the Baked Spinach and Cheese Tortelloni with a bottle (or two) of a great red wine and a loaf of Italian bread. Instead of a salad, put together a beautiful charcuterie board (because one cannot have enough cheese. An affogato would make for a perfect finishing touch. This simple meal is one destined to go on repeat.

Recipe
Baked Spinach and Cheese Tortelloni
Serves 6 - 8

Ingredients
1 pound mild or spicy Italian sausage
1 24 ounce (680 g) jar of good quality marinara sauce
8 ounces (226 g) whole milk ricotta
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 - 3 teaspoons fennel seeds (I used 3 teaspoons)
20 ounces (567) fresh spinach and cheese tortelloni or only cheese tortelloni (see notes)
1/2 cup hearty red wine (optional, but so good)
8 ounces (226 g) fresh mozzarella, sliced and/or grated
Fresh basil
Optional: Freshly grated or shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano for serving

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F).
2. In a large cast iron or ovenproof skillet, cook Italian sausage until lightly browned and/or cooked through.
3. Add in the marinara sauce. Stir to combine.
4. Add in the ricotta, kosher salt, pepper, fennel seeds, tortelloini, and wine (if using). Stir to completely combine.
5. Top the dish with sliced, sliced and grated, and/or grated mozzarella.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling at the edges and the tortelloni is cooked through. 
7. Remove from the oven. Top with fresh basil. 
8. Serve immediately with freshly grated or shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, if using.

Notes: (1) I used Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce, but use any high quality jarred or freshly made marinara sauce. (2) I used Rana's Family Size Fresh Spinach and Cheese Tortelloni. (3) You can make the entire casserole early in the day. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to bake it. Remove dish from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before putting in the oven. Baking time may need to slightly adjusted upward.

Dairy cows. Door County, Wisconsin (February 2020)

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

Desserts made around here can sometimes swing from one end of the continuum to the other. Which means they can be either really almost effortless, like the kahlua affogato sundaes, or are somewhat time intensive, like the chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream (momofuko style). Although in all honesty I would contend most of my dessert making time is spent with recipes hovering somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. Over the years I have learned some of my friends don't believe my perceptions about the ease or difficulty of a recipe are always accurate. Or rather I should say mine don't always align with theirs. Suggesting there is some disconnect between my reality and their perception. Some of them have long stopped asking me 'how hard is this to make?' because they don't believe my answer. Imagine that!

But I am here to tell you, Girl Scouts honor, that these Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries should be the poster child of the easiest to make dessert on the planet. They also rank really high on the deliciousness scale making them the ultimate win-win kind of dessert!

The use of mascarpone cheese in the creamy cheesecake filling is what takes these two bite wonders to an extraordinarily luscious level.

The mascarpone cheese combined with some confectionary sugar, cinnamon, and some heavy whipping cream creates the most ambrosial cheesecake filling. 

Fresh, ripe strawberries were meant to be paired with this cheesecake filling. The different sweet flavors of the strawberries and cheesecake filling perfecting compliment the two of them. 

Some stuffed strawberries will have you spending time scooping out the center of the strawberries. But not this one. Using a sharp knife, all you have to do is cut an "X" from the tip of the strawberry until about 3/4s of the way down. Easy, peasy. You can even make them a couple of hours ahead and keep chilled in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

The cheesecake filling is piped into the center of the "X" using a pastry bag and star tip. And that my friends is all it takes to create these beautiful, delectable bites of deliciousness. Now, 'how easy is that?'.

The Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries can be served on platter like this. Or you can finish them with a light dusting of confectionary sugar for an added touch of sweetness. Note: Wait until you are ready to serve them to dust them with the sugar as it well melt into the strawberries if left to chill in the refrigerator.

Pair the Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries with a bottle of prosecco or champagne (if you are really indulging your friends) to create the most memorable end to a dinner. Or skip dinner completely and just serve the strawberries with some bubbly. Or start dinner with dessert!

Even those who have a tendency to skip dessert will find these Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries irresistible. They are practically guilt-free! And they also happen to be gluten free!

Instead of a putting together a fruit platter for a brunch, serve these Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries. With a myriad of holidays coming soon (Easter, Passover, Mother's Day) along with an endless number of summer parties, you have many more reasons to make them. When your friends ask you 'were they hard to make?', you can decide where on the 1-10 easy to hard scale they fall. But whatever your answer is, some of them may not believe you. Imagine that!

Recipe
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

Ingredients
16 ounces (453 g) mascarpone cheese
16 - 24 ounces (454 g - 681 g) fresh strawberries (if possible look for medium sized strawberries)
1/4 cup (30g) confectionary sugar
1-2 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1/8 heaping teaspoon cinnamon
Additional confectionary sugar for dusting

Directions
1. In a medium sized bowl, whip the mascarpone cheese for 1 minute. 
2. Add in the heavy cream , confectionary sugar, and cinnamon. Whip until light and fluffy. 
3. Spoon the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with large star tip (Ateco 826).
4. With a sharp knife cut an "X" into each strawberry, going approximately 3/4 of the way down (be careful to not cut all the way through or your strawberry will fall apart).
5. Insert the pastry bag into the "X" and pipe the mixture into the strawberry.
6. Place cheesecake stuffed strawberries on a serving platter. Note: Stuffed Strawberries can be made up to 3 hours ahead. Cover with plastic wrap (being careful not to press down on your piped cheesecake mixture) and place in the refrigerator.
7. Lightly dust with sifted confectionary sugar when serving. 

Notes: (1) It is easier to cut and fill the strawberries if they are chilled rather than at room temperature. (2) If you are looking for a less easy recipe, drizzle the strawberries with some melted chocolate (instead of dusting with confectionary sugar) right before serving. (3) Depending on the size of your strawberries you will have some leftover cheesecake filling. Cover and store in the refrigerator to use later. You may need to rewhip the chilled cheesecake filling before putting into the pastry bag.

Winter day in February 2020 (Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL)

Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes

In spite of these sumptuous Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes qualifying as one of those non-recipes, you will find a plethora of recipes for roasted smashed potatoes by simply doing a Google search. But hang on for a second and stay here for awhile. You may have just landed on the recipe for the most perfect roasted smashed potatoes. But if, after reading through the recipe you feel compelled to go out on a down the rabbit hole hunt, then so be it. I have a feeling you might find yourself returning back to the place where you started. Here! A couple of weeks ago I had a similar experience of going on a different kind of search. One for a VRBO in Vancouver. In August one of my friends and I are running the Seawheeze half-marathon. The list of the things we were seeking in a rental was, what you might say, on the 'rather long' side.  But definitely not to be confused with on the high-maintenance side. We wanted a property with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a balcony, comfy looking furniture, a view, access to a pool and whirlpool, a great location/neighborhood, even better property ratings, and reasonably priced. We weren't asking for much, right? It didn't take long for us to learn there was no such thing as 'reasonably priced' in Vancouver. Whatever that is supposed to mean these days. We had quickly dismissed the first property we looked at. It had everything on our list but we thought it's rental cost fell into the 'too much' category. So we kept searching. Not surprisingly, we ended up ultimately returning to and booking the first place we had looked at as it turned out to be THE 'best option'. It had everything we had hoped to find wth the exception of that 'reasonable price' expectation. Funny how one's opinions shift with a bit of a reality 'price' check education. The other lesson learned. Sometimes time spent on searching leads you back to where you started.

If it means I have to go on a diet of potatoes for the next six months to pay for this once in a lifetime chance to run a Lululemon race (because who knows how many more half-marathons this aging body can endure), then let it be these Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes. With or without the sour cream and ketchup.

If you have never tasted roasted smashed potatoes before, you have been missing out on a head spinning experience of fluffy, crispy bites of deliciousness. They happen to be SO much better than a baked potato. And even better they are so much healthier than french fries. 

In part because they are so much more versatile than either of those potato options. Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes would make for a great, hearty appetizer, work as a perfect side dish to any number of entrees, or could be your lunch or dinner. 

One of the keys to the swoonworthiness of this dish are the potatoes. Baby Yukon Gold potatoes will create the most tender, creamiest, crispiest roasted smashed potatoes. First cooked in a pot of water until tender, the roasting process then transforms these simple potatoes into the most heavenly bites of deliciousness. We are talking borderline addicting here.

Brushing olive oil onto the smashed potatoes is what helps them to crisp up roasting in a preheated 450 degree (F) oven. Adding finely minced garlic to the oil and topping them with some fresh thyme adds another layer of flavor. If you want an even more herb-y roasted smashed potato, mix some finely chopped rosemary into the olive oil along with the garlic and then top with the fresh sprigs of thyme.

Liberally brushing olive oil on your baking sheet will help to crisp up the bottoms of the potatoes as well as prevent them from sticking to the pan. 

The smashed potatoes roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy around the edges. And oh, the aroma these Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes created in your kitchen is beyond intoxicating.

Serve them on a large platter with sides of sour cream and ketchup, then sit back and watch them disappear.

Once you taste these mouthwatering, scrumptious Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes, they are destined to become your new favorite way to make, eat, and enjoy potatoes.

For those of you who are following a Whole 30 diet, the good news is these Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes are allowed! For those of you who love french fries but are trying to avoid or limit your intake of fried foods, you may never eat another one after you taste these! And for those of you who like to splurge on vacations or destination races without breaking your discretionary fund budgets, add these Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes to your life! Both your taste buds and pocketbook will thank you. But for those of you who just love to serve beautiful, delicious food to your family and friends, you absolutely have to make these potatoes. 

Recipe
Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes
Serves 4-6

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds (680 g) baby Yukon Gold potatoes (about 15-16 potatoes)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/3 cup plus 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2-3 large cloves of garlic, finely minced
Flaky Sea Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Sprigs of fresh thyme
Sour cream and/or ketchup

Optional: Freshly chopped fresh rosemary

Directions
1. In a medium sized pot filled with water and two teaspoons of kosher salt, add the potatoes. Over high heat bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low-simmer and continue cooking the potatoes until knife tender. Approximately 20-25 minutes of cooking time. Note: Be careful to not under or overcook the potatoes.
2. Drain and dry the potatoes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees (F) while the potatoes are cooking. Brush 2 Tablespoons of olive oil on a large rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
4. In a small bowl, combine the 1/3 cup of olive oil and minced garlic together.
5. Place the slightly cooled potatoes on the baking sheet. Using a potato masher or bottom of heavy glass and carefully press down to smash them while still keeping them intact.
6. Spoon over the olive oil/garlic mixture over each potato. Use a pastry brush to brush the oil over the entire potato. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and fresh ground black pepper. Top each potato with a small sprig of thyme.
7. Roast the potatoes for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and crispy around the edges. Note: Begin checking your potatoes for doneness at 20 minutes.
8. Remove the roasted potatoes from the oven and transfer to a serving platter.
9. Serve with bowls of sour cream and/or ketchup and enjoy!

Notes: (1) The potatoes can be made ahead to the point up to 6 hours before they go into the oven. Tightly cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Take out of the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before roasting. (2) If garlic happens to be one of those things that doesn't 'agree with you, mix in a Tablespoon of freshly chopped rosemary into the olive oil. Or alternately don't add anything to your olive oil before brushing it onto the smashed potatoes.

Winter at Morton Arboretum (February 2020)