Month: August 2008

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Home is where the Heart is… and where they are!

lunch al fresco

Well, today Laura had wanted to do a little sight seeing around our local neighborhood. Isn’t that always the way it is… New Yorkers who never see ‘the Lady’ and we never venturing to far away from our home… except for big travel. So we designed a little walk into the hills brought a snack and had an enjoyable morning. When we returned , we had a nice lunch al fresco.
From part of our walk looking down into the valley

Here we are checking out the view. Laura was a great camper bringing plenty of water for all… even the reluctant trekee!

the end of the day... coffee stop!

Laura snapped this one of me all slumped down in my chair enjoying my coffee at a local shop. Laura was a good sport in humoring me in this one last journey at the end of the day!

Remember Labor Day is more than a day off.

Roger Freberg

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Cheesecake with Amarula, Peanut butter, White and Milk Chocolate

Chocolate, Peanutbutter and White Choc cheesecake

Peanut butter and Chocolate is such a natural combination that folks have tried to incorporate the pair into almost every imaginable creation. However, one of my favorites is cheesecake.

Now, after some experimentation, I have found a few shortcuts to making a great PB and C Cheesecake. Obviously, in this age when we can buy store prepared chocolate (known commonly as chocolate bars) , peanut butter and ‘Oreos’…. we become less ‘baker’ and more ‘assembler’. Be that as it may, this does not distract too much from this exquisite dessert. Tomorrow is my wife’s birthday… and she deserves nothing less… especially since she had the fun in making it!

The recipe is here.

This cheesecake is especially decadent given the chocolate cap with the glazed pecans. The ‘marbled’ cheesecake is accomplished by splitting the batter into two parts: one with peanut butter and white chocolate and the other with milk chocolate… and then rippling them together!

Peanutbutter, White and Milk Chocolate Cheesecake!

Aaaaah… bake it for someone you love.

Roger

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What every happened to Cadbury Chocolate?

Chocolate Cheesecake like you never had before!

Laura’s birthday is coming up and she requested a Chocolate & Peanut butter Cheesecake. Sounded simple enough, I had vowed not to open a  coveted  10 lb. block of Peter’s Chocolate as it only came in this single serving size. ahem…

My plan was to find a ‘well konched’ chocolate alternative like Cadbury for my needs… but I couldn’t find it at Albertson’s anywhere? And the locals didn’t know where it had gone? So, I did discover that it still existed and here hangs a story of modern times of mergers and acquisitions.  Hershey holds the license in the United States.

So, I looked for something acceptable and found a couple of bags of plain milk chocolate miniatures made by Mars, Inc. under the  title of Dove... should be good.

By the way, the easy part of turning a chocolate cheesecake into a peanut butter cheesecake is rather simple. Divide the cheesecake mixture into two sections (depending on how much of one virsus the other you prefer… I like a 2/3 chocolate section and 1/3 peanut butter section).. after you pour the chocolate mixture into the pan, then in a swirling motion pour the peanutbutter mixture into the chocolate mixture leaving a spiral trail…. then bake.

We learn something new every day… I am glad Cadbury is still here… somewhere.

Roger Freberg

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Building a better Pizza!

A real Meaty Pizza!

Pizza isn’t as bad as you think diet wise… unless you think it comes in the ‘single serving pan.’

The real key is portion control and the types of ingredients you choose to add. Obviously, for those of us who love meaty additions, we will include: seasoned tender steak, Linguica, bacon, ham, sausage, pepperoni, pheasant and Andouille sausage and …. just about every meat one would like to have! Obviously, an assortment of cheeses makes it wonderful along with Mozzarella. Adding onion, mushroom, sliced olives and some of the typical Italian flavors such as Oregano, Rosemary, Purple Basil.

So was this Pizza good?

Oh… I’d buy someone elses… but I just can’t find one as good as the one you can make yourself!

Roger

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Getting together with Old Friends

Laura Freberg and Pam Lynd having a Good Laugh!

GOTCHA! MADE YOU LAUGH!

Well, it’s always fun to catch up with old friends separated by time or distance. This week Laura caught up with an old friend since kindergarten, Pamela “Pam” Lynd Fink. Fortunately, special precautions were taken to keep San Luis Obispo and the surrounds safe for the locals.

Jordan (JJ), Laura, Pam and Rod

JJ , LAURA, PAM and ROD 

We went to dinner at one of our favorite places in the area… the Ol Port inn on the Pier in Avila beach, California. If you get a chance try it out and you won’t be disappointed, especially with a little Pinot Noir from local Talley Vineyards!  JJ is looking at colleges to attend and the fam came up to check out Cal Poly (Rod’s alma mater).

Laura smiled and that made it all worth while.

Roger