Monday, March 21, 2011

St. Patty's Cheese Pie

For St. Patrick's Day, Ryan and I had our friends, Liz and Jordan, over for dinner and green beer (light colored beer mixed with 1-2 drops of green food coloring). Ryan made some delicious club steak, and I made the following cheese pie for dessert. It was delicious and so beautiful. :)

St. Patty's Cheese Pie

1 (9") graham cracker crumb crust
1 (8oz) package Neufchatel 1/3 less fat cream cheese or regular cream cheese
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 c. lemon juice
1 t. vanilla extract
Green food coloring

In a large bowl, beat neufchatel cheese until fluffy. Beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Stir in lemon juice, vanilla extract and 2-4 drops green food coloring (to make a light green color). Pour into graham cracker crumb crust. Smooth top surface. Drip 3-4 drops of green food coloring on top. Swirl with a knife until desired pattern. Chill 4 hours or until set. Pie fully sets up over night.

Herb Roasted Whole Chicken

Mmmm! Chicken! Served with green beans, butter and garlic pasta, and salad. Delicious!

Herb Roasted Whole Chicken 

1 Whole Chicken
3 T Rosemary Infused Olive Oil
2 sprigs fresh oregano
2 springs fresh thyme
1 small onion
1 small lemon
5 garlic cloves
Salt
Pepper
Handful of cilantro

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Rub rosemary infused olive oil between flesh and skin. Stuff, onion, lemon, and garlic inside of the chicken cavity. Sprinkle chicken with oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees.



Chicken right before he oven-bathed :)