Happy holidays, and some recipes

It's Christmas Eve, my second favorite day of the year.

My favorite...yes, you guessed it...is Christmas!

I am so excited about tomorrow, and it's not about the presents, although I know there will be many. Too many, perhaps.

But the moment I live for is the one when my family sits around the dinner table, gives thanks for being together, and celebrates what a wonderful and privileged life we have.

Food is a big part of our holiday festivites so I thought I would share this year's dessert recipe - Eggnog Cheesecake - with you. Trust me when I say it is de-licious!

And of course we all know that calories consumed on Christmas Day don't count!

Eggnog Cheesecake

Crust
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons melted butter
Combine crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 325 F for 10 minutes. Let cool.

Filling
1-1/2 pounds (750 grams) cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 eggs
2 tablespoons dark rum
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
In a food processor (or mixing bowl) beat cream cheese, sugar, cream and flour until smooth. Beat in eggs, rum and nutmeg. Pour over crust. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 250 F and bake for another 45 minutes or until edge is set and set and the centre still jiggles slightly. Turn oven off. Run a sharp knife around edge of cake, put it back in the oven and let it cool in the oven for 1 hour. Remove to rack and cool completely.

To serve, remove from pan and drizzle with melted semisweet chocolate.
Serves 10 to 12.

Today on my personal blog I'm also sharing a recipe for a wonderfully easy recipe for a festive couscous salad. I'm serving it with chili tonight at my family's Christmas Eve get-together.

With best wishes for a joyous and happy holiday,
xoxo
Lee