Rich Berry Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake: A Guest Post

Shhhh… it’s a secret.

“What, where, why?”

Shhh… follow me…

“Look, my mum told me not to follow strangers”

Your mum is part of it.

“WHAT?”

The name’s Cake. Cheese Cake.

Can I trust you?

That is the question I should be asking you.

*disgruntled* I am trustworthy. I’m Chocolate, for heavens sake!

Stop being everyone’s friend. Be our friend. Cocoa Powder has told me all about you. You will be a great asset.

Asset to what? *exasperated*

The Great Foodie Revolution of 776 B.C. Where the Flour Party in Greece are finally get taken down a peg.

Fabulous! Just in time for the Olympics too!

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Ok, so maybe my history is a little bit off because chocolate, being an Aztec treat, and cheesecake did not meet till much much later, but cheesecake was first thought to be served at the Grecian Olympics to the athletes in 776 B.C
Mind you, not with cream cheese though, which was invented in America in 1872 but more on that later

May 19th is Food Revolution Day started by one of the greatest chefs in the history of chefs, Jamie Oliver. He wants people to get back to the basics, start cooking from scratch again and appreciate the small ingredients which have revolutionised the foodie world!

A great blogging buddy of mine, Elena from Sweet Life had the brilliant idea of celebrating this day with the Food Blogging community
In her beautiful city of Milan, there is actually a whole Food Week going on, so she will be reporting on the festivities each day complete with a revolutionary recipe – how cool is that???

When she contacted me with this idea, I was at it like a flash! Let’s celebrate what has continually revolutionised and expanded the horizons of the foodie world by making a whole day of recipes dedicated to them!
Be sure to check out her blog daily for updates on fabulous revolutionary recipes!

Personally for me, the most revolutionary idea within the foodie world is the idea of a Cheesecake.
Thick, melty yellow cheese in a cake? No.
Rich, creamy, soft and fluffy cheese in a cake? Yes

The idea that a cake can be made sans butter and flour only to be replaced by cheese and cream to me sounds amazing. And like using various flours in a cake, you can use various cheeses (as long as it is not the thick, melty yellow kind mind you!) so it rivals the floury pound cakes in the world.

I made a cheesecake to honour the revolutionary creation of Cheese Cake (and for a party but that was a coincidence ).
Not just a cheesecake. A Cheesecake fit for its ancestor whose determination put it on the charts on this glorious day.

A Berry Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake w/ Rich Chocolate Buttercream Frosting & Dark Chocolate Ganache Topped w/ Vanilla Whipped Cream.

Sorry too long? Like my posts tend to be? Oops
Ok, how about calling it simple and sweet

Berry Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake - made for a party but ‘coincidentally’, this party fell 2 days after my awesome godmother’s birthday thus the whipped cream birthday wishes (don’t judge me, I did not have space for ‘birthday’!)

To read the story of the struggles, the pains and the clawing agony Cheese Cake went through to be accepted in the foodie arena, head on over to Lisa‘s stunning blog, Sweet 2 Eat Baking. If you have never visited her, you have missed out on some serious baking power – this is one sweet lady and it shows in her cooking and in her blogging
She was so kind as to invite me to do a guestpost and I think this cake was more than appropriate since it is (was ) as fabulous as she is!

Sorry for the quality but I fell asleep during the party and could not be there to photograph it post-eating

Check out THIS LINK and bring tissues because the story of the (I knight thee) Sir Cheese Cake will be brutal but worth it
Oh and for the cheesecake too!

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I would now like to acknowledge some awards given by two very sweet baker – I mean, blogger friends of mine and pass them on

Firstly, the fantastic Jen @ Love Food Cook Food graciously awarded me a double whammy of The Kreativ Blogger Award and The Sunshine Award. Both made me grin like a madman (girl) my friend, thank you so much!!!
I have been awarded the Sunshine blogger award here and since my answers remain the same to the questions, just press the link if desired
As for the Kreativ Blogger Award, it requires telling you 10 things about myself but since I recently told you 7 things, I will add on 3 more or otherwise, bore you to tears with my life story

1. I recently got a new ‘thong USB’ to add to the growing collection
2. I have an aversion towards wearing dresses everyday
3. I got a nose piercing recently and it did not hurt. Legit.

Congrats to these bloggers who I am passing these awards on to

• Micha @ Zim On A Whim
• Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
• Zoe @ Bake For Happy Kids
• Kathleen @ Corning NY Step By Step
• Reem @ Simply Reem
• Simply Life

Secondly, the fantastic Micha @ Zim On A Whim was sweet enough to also award me with The One Lovely Blog Award. Is that not the sweetest name ever??
Awesome blogger friend, Catalina @ Cake With Love also nominated me for this award but with a different picture
First time receiving this award and I am most grateful you both thought of me – thank you so much my friends

The rules to this award (no matter the picture – your choice ) are:

1. Thank the blogger (s) who nominated you and link back to their blog in your post.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Nominate about 15 other blogs that you enjoy.
4. Let the nominees know that you chose them.

Since I have shared 7 things in the links already shown, I do not think you want to know anymore about me now

I will also be passing it on to 6 special bloggers, just like with my other two awards

Congrats to these nominees…

• Jen @ Love Food Cook Food
• Juliana @ Simple Recipes
• Lisa @ Lisa Is Cooking
• Anything But Pickles
• Kim @ Treats & Trinkets
• Hannah @ Wayfaring Chocolate

Lastly, a relatively new blogger I have met from the amazing blog, Burlesque Baker was so sweet as to award me The Inspiring Blogger award. Thank you my friend

I would like to pass this award on to every one of you who is reading this since every blogger and baker and chef inspires me when it comes to being in the kitchen

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Just before I leave those of you who have not already gone to either get away from the screen or to check out the revolution of Cheese Cake, there is one more thing I would like to say.

Thank you all so much for all the support you show. Every comment, every view, it means so much to me that you are enjoying yourself

I try to follow many blogs, use Foodbuzz for the rest and even have a folder of saved sites I visit often but realistically, it is impossible even for me to visit every site everyday to check for an update on your blog, especially being my senior school year. I apologise if I do not comment every time but I am writing to let you all know that should you comment, I always comment back no matter what and try to keep in touch with each and every blog because I appreciate you guys very much

NB: Foodbuzz is having sharing difficulties so I may not be able to visit everyone’s blogs that I follow on Foodbuzz – I will try and have contacted the support team as to whether this sharing issue is for all or just me. I also think since I am not receiving posts, they are not being sent out either. If anyone else is experiencing this, it would be much appreciated if you could let me know. Thanks and hope it gets fixed quick smart! If anyone recalls this happened at the beginning of this year too.

Now why are you still here?
The revolution needs you

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P.S. Do you remember my Vanilla Maple Caramel Nut Popcorn?

It was a guest post at Food Lovers Club blog which unfortunately seems to have shut down. I am sad to see if go considering how delicious the recipes were on it! I am reposting my post here so you always have access to the recipe however (and how to watch a movie references )

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Today, I am going to teach you all how to watch a movie at home.

“Excuse me?”

Oh don’t you “excuse me” me! You think you have it all figured out. I mean, it is not like it’s an art. Or a skill which only the exceptionally talented (you may make a gagging face at that ) can achieve.

WRONG.

To watch a movie is something which cannot be done on whim, and if it is, correct protocol must be maintained. Let me teach you the skills of watching a movie. Are you ready? This is hectic stuff but I promise it will all be worth it

Note: These rules apply to watching with friends, family or alone scenarios.

THE RULES:

1. Own a television. Don’t groan at my stupidity, keep reading. I just think it is a necessity as opposed to lazing on the iPad or on your computer. If you are travelling I forgive you but at home, nothing beats a good ol’ big black screen  (and it is good for your eyes too)
2. Preferable time for watching a movie is night time, with no commitments for the following day – A study done (on me…) reveals that a viewer has greater concentration thus gains better enjoyment from a movie if they do not have any plans the next day which can distract them
3. Always sit on a couch – According to physiotherapists, chairs help posture. Stuff your posture. You want comfort. Stiff, wooden chair. Does that sound comfortable to you?
   **Note: If your couch does not allow you to curl up onto it due to size issues, try to keep an ottoman close by for ultimate comfort
4. Keep some objects close by according to your context (I told you, hectic stuff!). Watching a horror movie? A pillow is a must and maybe Mr Cuddles too. Watching Titanic? Mega-sized tissue box complete with extra absorbency. Winter? Screams for a blanket!
5. NEVER, and I mean, NEVER, get comfortable without all the necessary remotes next to you. The pain, excruciating really, which comes with having to get up to adjust the volume kills me before I became so talented in the art
   
6. Do your number 1s and 2s before sitting. Crude? No, not my intention. I am making sure you do this right – and pausing a movie is one of the worst things in the world!
7. All mobiles off. If you have a butler, you are not home to anyone. Just like a theatre, if you have this loud obnoxious crazy frog going off, it may just spoil the movie. Seriously. Stay away from everyone. Warning signs are permitted.
8. Try not to watch during a lightning storm. A source (me) has claimed that not only is it an electrical hazard but many a time, the electricity goes and your movie is pfft-ed out.
9. Dim the lights but do not watch in the dark. You get the effect without, once more, destroyed those precious corneas of yours
10. Wear something comfortable – As hard as it sounds, just take one more step of work and take off the business suit before trackie-ing it up and plopping down – cotton beats tweed. PJs beat all!

Ok, now we have covered the basics. Oops, nope I forgot food.

WRONG.

Food get its own category. You may be surprised but I have seen what people bring to watch a movie and it gets me every time. Let me help you

THE RULES: FOOD

1. Do not bring something liable to spill – I am talking gravies, curries, big fat pieces of meat, peas and mash – eat your dinner before. Not only is it too unreliable to stay put but snack food is pop-in-the-mouth simple and just as delicious. Imagine, you are eating a burrito, cheese dripping, when suddenly BANG – the burrito goes flying in slow motion, the movie ignored, and hits your cat which fuzzes up and starts running from the heat and tearing curtains. Not nice at all.
2. Try not to bring sticky things – true, things can always get a little messy but try and stay away from items like fairy floss, munchies which force you to wash your hands – remember we want to stay put throughout the movie, not moving around like a marathon runner
3. Have napkins, a towel or something to wipe your hands on. Crumbs of chips or something may be a little nasty so you don’t want it going on your remote and sofa.
4. Keep a drink – but be careful. Ever noticed how deliciously salty and sweet snack foods are?  I certainly have – a combination which makes me thirst like crazy. But keep it on a table. As convenient as keeping it upright, balanced against you, is, we are once again back to the horror film, with the horror part being in your eyes as that pretty white couch turns coke brown.
   
5. Have a mix of savoury and sweet munchies – no matter if you are a savoury or sweet person, a movie requires both to keep you satisfied.
6. Here is a list of the top snacks as recommended by me: Maltesers, chocolate bars, mini packets of chips, pretzels, frozen coke or a slushie, Starburst lollies, cold pizza and of course popcorn.

This is where rule #7 comes in. You must always have a steady stock of Vanilla Maple Caramel Nut Popcorn with you. You did see the pictures right? Then you know I am correct at least in this rule – Totally following rule #5 of the foodie section, these are sweet with an exterior crunch factor while the inside is soft and buttery, the salt and sweetness mingling together to explode in the mouth.

Addiction Rating: 10/10

Have fun!

Vanilla Maple Caramel Nut Popcorn
Adapted from Sweet Pea’s Kitchen

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 & 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
  
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3 tsp vanilla essence
• 20 cups worth of popped popcorn – I got approximately 7 cups from 1 packet of microwave popcorn
• 7-8 cups roughly chopped nuts (I used cashews but you can you an assortment or any you choose)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 120 degrees C.
2. Place your freshly popped corn in a large bowl (or 2 large bowls if there is too much) with the nuts
   
3. Melt butter, maple syrup and brown sugar together over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Boil, without stirring for 2 minutes.
   
4. Remove from heat and add in vanilla essence and baking soda. Stir through the popcorn and nuts carefully, trying not to the crush the corn and coat as evenly as possible
   
5. Lightly grease 2 large baking trays with margarine or butter
6. Place popcorn into dish and spread out evenly
   
7. Bake in oven for 45-50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes for even baking and no burning
   
8. Let cool completely before breaking up and storing in an airtight containers or when semi warm, roll into balls and let cool completely
9. Watch a movie with a fresh batch!

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So there you have it folks. Do you feel like watching a movie now?

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