Cheesecake is L-O-V-E!

New York Style Cheesecake

 Amateur Attempt # 1

(chocolate topping)

 Amateur Attempt # 2

(blueberry topping)

Someday, I'm gonna perfect the art of baking cheesecakes!

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Everything is better with bacon! :D

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

10 spears fresh asparagus, trimmed

5 bacon strips, halved crosswise)

salt and pepper

*toothpicks

Directions:
1. Place the asparagus on a sheet of wax paper/baking sheet (coat with non-stick cooking spray beforehand).

2. Sprinkle asparagus with a pinch of salt and black pepper.

3. Wrap each spear with a strip of bacon. Use toothpicks to hold them together, if necessary.

4. Grill, uncovered, over medium-low heat for about 8-10 minutes (or until bacon is of desired crispness). Turn the spears occasionally to cook evenly.

5. Take off toothpicks and serve! :)

Crema de Fruta

This is the first-ever dessert I have learned to make. It's been some sort of a long-running tradition in our family to serve it during Noche Buena (Christmas Eve). I guess this recipe's one of the few that will stick around for sure. It's simple, easy-to-make, and ingredients are affordable!

Here's our Crema de Fruta (Graham Crackers version)

Ingredients:

1 box graham crackers

1 c all-purpose cream

1 c condensed milk

thin mango slices

thin strawberry slices

Directions:

1. Chill all ingredients except the graham crackers. Take them out when you are ready to start making your Crema.

2. In a bowl, combine cream and milk, and whisk until mixture thickens.

3. You can now start laying your ingredients in a baking dish or any flat container.

Layer them in this order: graham crackers, cream and milk mixture, fruits. Each layer must be leveled.

4. Make as many layers as your ingredients and container size would allow. Chill overnight and serve! :)

*You can use different fruits of choice. You can also pour gelatin which will serve as your top layer, for added effect! :)

*Alternatively, you can prepare your own sponge cake instead of using graham crackers. Here's Manang Kusinera's Crema de Fruta (Sponge Cake version).