Cheesecake Brownie Dessert when one slice is never enough

Today I met a handful of friends for lunch.  One dear friend was in town visiting from Washington and we rarely get to see her and her husband. So those of us who don't work in the corporate rat race all got to spent a short but most wonderful time.

For fun I baked Cheesecake Brownie as a surprise for all.  Tis one of my favorite desserts and only made for special occasions!  My recipe makes an 8 1/2" round  dessert.  Eight Slices of pure delight!

A bottom layer of Rich chocolate brownie topped with fluffy cheesecake and then drizzled with white chocolate gauche.  YUMMY!

Will be adding to the 1k shop for ordering!  A small 4 slice cake, an 8 slice cake and a 10 slice cake.  Available for hand delivery in the Anchorage area or mailed overnight express to all other US states. 
Great for those birthday parties for those who have exotic taste buds or just a simple family get together. 

Beer, Cocktails and me

It is seldom that we drink beer.  It's not one of those items I ever liked...I grew up in a city that had two breweries.  Most of my family enjoys a good beer; I was the outcast.

Cooking with beer is a new experience for me but heard others talking about the different beers they have used in Sweet Desserts and I had to try in some of my creations.

Alaska is a budding community of brewers!  I must admit I was drawn to the label on the ones that I chose to try out.  From a brewery down in Juneau, and they do like 5 types and I selected 3 with the help of the sales clerk in the liquor store.  Alaska groceries stores do not sell any liquor, its found in a separate store.  Most are located right next door to the grocery store, or in mini malls.

 

The smoked porter was very heavy and dark -tried it in a beer cheese broccoli  soup and it didn't work in fact was a total mistake; the soup turned an awful brown LOL and cheese soup as we all know is a pretty yellow and since I had added the whole bottle the flavor was overwhelming - I had to toss the soup...maybe a lamb stew it would be better - needs a heavy meat to go with - next adventure in beer I will do lamb for sure I really believe it will be the perfect match!  

The Winter I totally enjoyed - I was really surprised super great flavor, we liked it so much it didn't even get to be tested in any item for cooking LOL and I have to say I've never drank a whole beer until this one - we had it with mild white fish and went very well with the total dinner!

We have not opened the White yet...I'm making enchiladas today for dinner with pulled beef so I will stir in a 1/2 cup into the meat mixture and save the rest for drinking with dinner.  We are looking forward to this.  And will make for another post.

The past week I've worked on various things...getting ready for several juried Art Shows, sewing up a few new Cocktail Hats that I been trying to fit into the schedule; plus planning on activities I will be attending for Fur Rondy which starts next week.  I love this little Cocktail number:

 

If your a follower and live in Anchorage: I have a photo entered into the Fur Rondy Photo Contest that is held at Sears Mall:

 

This handsome guy is my little guy I mention every now and then!  He is as close as a grandchild I'm ever going to have.  I'm Grandma Pat to him and that makes my heart sing let me tell ya!  On this day we were down at Ship Creek looking for salmon and within 3 seconds of walking on the boardwalk  (don't read the rest Little guys mom) but stepped in gum warmed by the sun Grrrrrr...his exact words where GRAMDMAA PAT I STEEPED IN GOMMMM!  I don't chew gum, totally dislike seeing folks chew their cuds with it and think those who just spit it out where ever should be hung by their thumbs over boiling oil with snapping sharks.  The picture keeps one guessing to what he is up to... it was snapped just before his announcement and yes we did clean off the gum.

A touch of Irish

March is a fun month one of my favorite meals is very popular on March 17. Coming from an Irish background; although I would really say the family is more of a Hinze 57 variety; we always had Corned Beef and cabbage on St. Patties Day. My parents would also go to the local pub and sip on green beer. A taste I never developed is drinking beer of any kind. But it is good in some of my recipes. Just saw some Alaska beers that I'm wanting to try in some brownies and cake recipes. Okay I almost got sidetracked with the beer! But stay tuned in a few days will be trying those out. Back to corned beef and cabbage - I cook mine on the stove top for a good 3 to 4 hours on simmer after its been brought it to a boil. I like my corned beef very tender. Usually sliced thin or pulled apart in chunks is how it gets served here. If you can not cut the corned beef with your fork don't serve it to me! During the last 1/2 hour of cooking the corned beef add russet potatoes cut in 4ths and chopped chunks of carrots and then at the last 5/10 minutes cabbage cut in wedges. You want the cabbage cooked but not mush...Cabbage cooks very quickly so watch it carefully when you add. A meal made for kings - well I think so! I also make up a small bowl of fresh horseradish and mayo for a side dipping sauce for the meat. Adds a slight punch to your taste buds. I also like just a shot of mustard on the side to dip a bit of corned beef into. But mainly its the veggies that I love digging into! Its the part of the meal I've waited 3 hours for the melting of the various flavors is wonderful. But I have mentioned before I not much on eating meats, just give me veggies! Cooked veggies such as the picture I took just before dinner makes me one happy Alaskan girl!