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.

Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread

This zucchini bread makes a great dessert for a steak dinner!  It also goes great with greek yogurt and blueberries for breakfast.  Still not satisfied?  Since this recipe makes two loaves, why not try it for a Californian-themed Pot Luck at work?  Basically, zucchini bread can be eaten anytime of the day.  Give it a shot! 

Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread

• 1 c all-purpose flour
• 2 c whole wheat flour
• 1 t baking powder
• 1 t baking soda
• 1/2 t salt
• 2 t cinnamon
• 3/4 c oil
• 1-1/2 c sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 t vanilla
• 2 zucchini, grated (about 3 cups)
• 1 c chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together in a bowl.  In a large bowl cream the oil and sugar together.  Beat in the eggs, vanilla, zucchini, and walnuts.  Then gradually beat in the dry ingredients.

Grease and flour two bread pans.  Pour half of the batter into each pan.  Cook for 1 hour.