Saturday, July 25, 2026

Old-School Chicken Stock

Ingredients
  • 4-5 lbs chicken bones
  • 2-3 carrots, sliced thick
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced thick
  • 1 large yellow onion, quartered
  • 4 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp black peppercorns
  • 1 small bunch parsley
  • 1tsp Kosher salt

Directions
  1. Place all the ingredients into the pot, then add water to about 2-3 inches above ingredients.
  2. Boil over high heat for 5 minutes.
  3. Reduce heat to a simmer, occasionally skimming the foam from the top of the stock. Continue to simmer for about 3 hours.
  4. Strain the stock to remove all solid ingredients. Cool and store in refrigerator.
*Chicken stock will remain fresh in refrigerator for about a week.
*It freezes well, but will need to be separated into smaller containers so that you only take what you need at the time of use.


Sardou-Style Egg

  • 2 table spoons of unsalted water
  • 1 small onion thinly cut 
  • 3/4 pound collard greens, tough stems and center ribs removed and leaves thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons of white wine
  • 3/4 cup of heavy cream
  •  Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 6 canned artichoke bottoms, drained
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  •  pinch of cayenne pepper

1.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion until soft,7-8 minutes. Add collards and wine; cook, stirring occasionally, until collards are tender,8-10 minutes. Add cream, and reduce heat. Simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; keep warm.
 
 2. Toss artichokes with lemon juice and oil,and roast on a baking sheet until just beginning to turn brown,  7-9 minutes. 
 
 3. Poach eggs in 2 inches of gently shimmering water until whites are just set and yolks are still runny, 3-4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and blot with a paper towel



Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake Recipe

 Crust Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs 
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup melted butter

Cheesecake Ingredients:

  • 4 pkgs cream cheese (8 oz)
  • 1.25 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 5 eggs

Topping Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • whipped cream for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
  2. Place large pan or oven-safe skillet (that the cheesecake pan will fit inside) filled with about 1/2 inch of water into the oven while it preheats. This will be your water bath.
  3. Combine the 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon into a medium bowl. Mix in the 1/3 cup melted butter. 
  4. Line the bottom and side of springform pan with parchment paper. Using a drinking glass, press the crumb mixture flat into the bottom and sides of the pan.
  5. Cut a piece of tin foil big enough to cover the bottom and sides of the springform pan and wrap on the outside of the springform pan. This is so that the water bath does not make your cheesecake soggy.
  6. Put the crust in the freezer until you are ready to fill it with the cheesecake mixture.
  7. Blend the cream cheese with sugar, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
  8. Whisk the eggs in their own separate bowl, then add to creamy cheese mixture. Make sure that the mixture is evenly blended.
  9. Pull the crust from the freezer and pour the cheese mixture into it. 
  10. Put the springform pan into the water bath and bake at 475 degrees for 12 minutes.
  11. Turn oven down to 350 degrees and continue to bake for 50-60 minutes or until the top of the cheesecake tans on top. 
  12. While the cheesecake is cooling, mix the topping ingredients and spread over the cheesecake. 
  13. Chill the cheesecake in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Serve topped with whipped cream.