I Will Have Tomatoes In 2014!

I can't believe how my mindset has swung 180º in less than a week. I can't believe I can look out back and see Stupice seedlings and a big pot of nasturtiums this morning when a week ago I'd all but given up on a garden.

I went to the farmers' market last Saturday and as I stood at the Forty Weight Coffee table talking to Andrew, I glanced at a sign in the stall next to him. It listed the varieties of tomato seedlings they were selling including Stupice!

I went back to the Thursday market and spent a good bit of time talking to Jamie (Wyllie Fox Farm) about seedlings. I came home with a flat of 18 which should be sufficient but I will be going back next week for some additional cherry tomato varieties and a striped eggplant called Listada De Gandia.

Jamie expects to have some nasturtiums in a week or so but I couldn't resist a big pot of three varieties from the only vendor who had them yesterday.

The Ultimate Cheesecake

McCall's Cooking School, circa 1975?

I'm going through old recipe files. This one has been haunting me since I pulled it out a few weeks ago.

Many years ago I think I made it twice before I found a recipe I liked better for the filling but I continued to use the Lindy's version for the crust. I have never liked a graham cracker crust for cheesecake. Who's idea was that I'd like to know.

The recipe I use for the filling is one that the Family Circle test kitchen called "Our Finest Cheesecake" and is attributed to John Clancy, author of "John Clancy's Baking Book". I like it because the cake is lighter and drier than most.

1.5 lb. cream cheese, room temperature
1-1/4 cups sugar (or less)
1/4 tsp. salt
6 eggs, separated, room temperature
1 pint sour cream
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Grated rind of 1 lemon 
Juice of 1/2 lemon
 
With electric mixer on low speed or with a wooden spoon, beat cream cheese in a large bowl until soft. Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy. 

Beat in egg yolks, one at a time, until well blended. Stir in sour cream, flour, vanilla, lemon rind, lemon juice and salt until smooth. 

Beat egg whites until they hold stiff peaks. Fold whites into the cheese mixture, soufflé-fashion, until well blended. Pour into prepared pan. 

Bake in moderate oven (350 degrees F) 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until top is golden; turn off oven heat and allow cake to cool in oven for 1 hour and then remove it from oven to cool on a wire rack at room temperature.

Chill to ripen overnight before serving. Dust with powdered sugar if desired just before cutting.

There's no getting around it. I'm going to make a cheesecake.

Pete Seeger 1919-2014

He was still bringin' it at 93. A good soul he was.