Lemon coconut cheesecake

LUNCH

Afternoon foodies!

What's better than homemade cheesecake? Homemade cheesecake for lunch! Obviously I'm breaking all the rules for health and fitness with this bad boy. We are invited to a "breaking in the backyard" potluck this Sunday so I decided to test out a new recipe for a Key lime cheesecake before hand. Maddy and I had a ball whipping up this last night and the result is pretty damn delicious. I altered the recipe quite a bit cutting out the sugar and flour and used a whole can of condensed milk instead and added shredded coconut to the graham cracker crust. The recipe below is my version and can be altered to your tart liking by adding more lime juice. Keep in mind that for more of the Key lime flavor (aroma) add more lime zest, add lime juice will only add tartness. This is the cheesecake that I took to work but for the party I will be adding whipped mascarpone frosting and strawberries to the top. YUMM-O! I didn't get to take many pictures of the cake since I was running very late, as always, for work this A.M. but here's a slice of heaven...



RECIPE:

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
* 6 tablespoons butter, melted
* 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1 can of condensed milk (I used non fat)
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 3 eggs or 7 egg whites if you want a "white" cake
* 1 tablespoon grated lime zest
* 1/3 cup key lime juice (more or less to your liking)
* 1/3 cup shredded coconut

Directions

1. Combine graham cracker crumbs with butter or margarine and shredded coconut. Press into bottom and partially up sides of 9 inch springform pan. Refrigerate.
2. In a large bowl, beat with an electric mixer the cream cheese, sugar, lime peel, and cornstarch until smooth and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, blending just until smooth. Add key lime juice with mixer on low. Finish mixing by hand. Do not overbeat, or cake will crack during baking. Pour batter into prepared crust.
3. Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 55 to 65 minutes, or until set. To minimize cracking, place a shallow pan half full of hot water on lower rack during baking.
4. Turn oven off, and let cheesecake stand in oven 30 minutes with the door open at least 4 inches. Remove from oven. Refrigerate cake overnight, and up to three days.

All for me!

BREAKFAST

Happy Friday everyone!

Sorry I've been M.I.A lately but frankly...there hasn't been anything going on that's been post worthy, plus I was still in recovery mode from the prior weekend. I am back with a bang though, fun treats to post about. I came back from San Diego to find two awesome packages waiting for me. I love getting stuff in the mail! Those who frequent this blog know my ♥ for Chobani so I was ecstatic when the good folks at Chobani sent me a huge shipment of their delicious yogurt in all different flavors. I thought that pineapple was my favorite flavor but I had no idea how delicious their blueberry yogurt is, tough call. Take a look at the goods.




The second package I got was from Jamie over at the Fruit Not Fat campaign at Galaxy Granola. They sent me three bags of their healthy granola. I love that they use applesauce and half the oil to make their granola making it 1/2 the fat that you usually find in other granolas without skimping on taste or texture. I've only tried the raspberry granola so far but it's BOMB! I can't wait to use some for baking. I'm thinking of making some protein bars. :)



For breakfast today I decided to combine my two treats. I mixed some almond granola with a cup of blueberry Chobani yogurt.NOM NOM NOM NOM...

Whirl wind trip.

SAN DIEGO
PARTIE DEUX

Good morning everyone!

Wow, the last few days have flown by so fast but I guess that it's a requisite with all vacations, right? We left beautiful SD yesterday two hours LATER than what we had originally planned. With all of the last minute sightseeing, shopping, and eating we just lost track of time.
I'm running short on time today so instead of going into detail about our last day's activities here's a list of the events that took place and pictures to go along with:

Walk along Seacliff

- Grabbed hot tea and went for a great morning walk along the coast. The weather was great and the air was crisp. If only I can do this everyday life would be unbeatable.

Old Town San Diego

- We visited a quaint church and took some pictures in the park. The vines were in bloom and everything was very serene.

Brunch at Rei do Gado Churrascaria

-Meat lover's paradise. I loved the salad bar and the top sirloin the most. It seems as though on every vacation I go on we always end up at a Brazilian restaurant.

Shopping at Horton Plaza

- Eh...Spent only 10 minutes walking around and no pictures.

Shopping at Carlsbad Outlet

- 40 mins away and only a few good shops. Jessie bought a new watch and purse that she's in love with and I got a new scarf. We spent 3 hours here and that's all we managed to find. Sorry...no pictures

La Jolla Beach

- Last scenic stop on our trip and man was it gorgeous. The seals were out frolicking and getting their tan on.

Dinner at Blue Water Grill

- The fish and chips at this joint was so amazing that we had to pay another visit. Not to mention that one order was more than enough for us to split.

Pinkberry

- Mango and pomegranate yogurt topped with mochi, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and cheesecake bites...yum!

Drive home

- Goodbye California!