T & T : ROAD TRIP!

Hello lovelies! Tastes & Travels in back! Lyndsay, Michelle, and I are road trippin' around the U.S.A!  

 

As many of you know, I live in New York!  Before I head out on the road trip and leave the Big Apple, I thought I would share a New York inspired recipe.

New York Style Cheesecake

[recipe and images via]

Ingredients:

15 graham crackers, crushed
2 tablespoons butter, melted
4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup milk
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch springform pan.
In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Press onto bottom of springform pan.
In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Blend in milk, and then mix in the eggs one at a time, mixing just enough to incorporate. Mix in sour cream, vanilla and flour until smooth. Pour filling into prepared crust.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, and let cake cool in oven with the door closed for 5 to 6 hours; this prevents cracking. Chill in refrigerator until serving.  

_____________________________________________

Now, it's time to head off to Harvard ;) ... well Bahston!
(And visit my blogging bestie ERICA, of course!)

Boston is a city of storied and historic neighborhoods, each with its own dynamic environment and personality.  It is a place I've never been before but would love to visit!  One of the places I'd love to visit Fenway Park. (Yes, the home of my team's (the Yankees) rivals!)  I'd also like to learn more about Boston's historic background!  Who wants to give me the grand tour? Erica?  :)

In honor of my visit in Boston,  how about a piece of Boston Cream Pie? 

Boston Cream Pie

[recipe and images via]

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup shortening
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
2 egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup confectioners' sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons hot water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9 inch round cake pan.
Beat the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, 3/4 cup milk, shortening, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla at low speed, scraping bowl constantly for 30 seconds. Beat on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally for 3 minutes. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove from the pan and let cool on a wire rack.
To Make The Cream Filling: In a 2 quart saucepan, mix 1/3 cup of the sugar, the cornstarch and salt. Stir in the milk gradually and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir at least 1/2 of the mixture slowly into the egg yolks. Return egg yolk mixture to the saucepan and boil and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the 2 teaspoons vanilla. Let cool to room temperature.
To Make Chocolate Glaze: Heat the chocolate and butter or margarine over low heat until melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the confectioners' sugar, and vanilla. Stir in the water, one teaspoon at a time, until glaze is of desired consistency.
To Assemble the Cake: Split the cooled cake in half to make 2 thin layers. Fill the layers with the filling. Then spread the chocolate glaze over the top. Refrigerate any leftover cake.

_____________________________________________

Have you ever visited New York City or Boston?

What is one place you'd like to visit in the United States?

Be sure to visit Lyndsay and Michelle's blogs and see what they are enjoying on this road trip!

Love and Tasty Travels! xo