Sunday, June 03, 2012

Helpful guide in baking homemade cheesecake the right way

Homemade cheesecake is one of the most favorite desserts all over the world because of its creamy texture and delicious taste. It consists of a sweet cookie crumb base and fresh cheese mixture on the upper layer. It is very rich in taste. It is served in small slices with extra toppings such as sweet glaze and whipped cream. Moreover, you can use other types of toppings of your choice such as nuts, fruits, grated chocolates, or caramel. Normally, you can find this dessert in restaurants and patisseries in almost every country all over the world. But the homemade ones are always more preferred than others that are available in the market.

There are some things that you need to consider when baking a homemade cheesecake. When baking, you have to be attentive to the instructions, the proper timing and the cooling method. It is very important that the finished product should be moistened.  And to achieve this desirable result, you have to ensure that it will not be over-baked. Over-baking the cake can make it very dry. It is common to find a soft spot at the center of the cake after the allowed time baking. However, you should not worry about this soft spot because it will be firm after you allow it to get cold.
You need to switch off the oven and leave the door open after baking time is over. You have to leave the cake to stand in the oven while its door is open until the cake has cooled completely. During this time, the soft spot at the center of the cake becomes firm. You can remove the cake from the oven and refrigerate it once it's cold.

The texture of the cake becomes very grainy when you over-bake it. Moreover, it will also crack and shrink as it cools down. The main indication that you used the appropriate method is when the cake's center will not crack. In order to make the perfect homemade cake, you have to make them a day before that you will need them. Baking them one day before you need them will make them just right that is creamy and firm. A firm cake is very easy to slice when serving.

The crumb base of the cheesecake is one of the parts that most people love. It is crunchy and creamy when the exact proportion in making it is followed correctly. The best proportion to use is 1:2 ratios. For every 1 cup of butter, you should mix 2 cups of crumbs. This is the best proportion that mixes the butter and the cookie crumbs that will create the best perfect texture.

Saturday, June 02, 2012

The delights of literature

I remember fondly the many times I sat with my father as a wee one as Dad taught me how to read.  Both of my parents loved to read.

Sometimes I think reading is in my DNA.  I can't remember being without a book.  So it's no surprise reading became something important in my own household as I raised my children.  One of my favorite quotes on literature comes from C.S. Lewis:

Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.