LET THE WILD RUMPUS START!

1// love creative blog 2//photo by daniel jackson

CHEESECAKE: CAKE OR PIE?

Cheesecake recipes usually depend on the region it's baked, not to mention the cultural background of the baker. New York-style cheesecake in addition to cream cheese and eggs, also include heavy cream or sour cream and is typically rich, dense, and smooth with a creamy consistency. This variation uses sour cream as a topping, applied after the cheesecake is cooked. It is mixed with vanilla extract and sugar, then baked for another 15 minutes to finish it off. 

New York Cheesecake
crust:
2 cups of graham crackers, finely ground
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
filling:
4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 tablespoon  finely grated orange zest
5 large eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
topping:
*This layer is what makes it a New York style cheesecake
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
cherry topping:
10 ounces sour cherries, pitted (*I used Trader Joe's jarred Morello Cherries)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup water


*Grease, or butter, a 9-inch springform pan. Preheat oven to 350º F.

For Crust: 

1. In a medium sized bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the crumbs evenly over the bottom and about 1 inch up the sides of the springform pan. Cover and refrigerate while you make the filling.

For Filling:

1. In bowl of an electric mixer place the cream cheese, sugar, and flour. Beat on medium speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until ingredients are completely combined and mixture smooth (about 2-3 minutes.)
2. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
3. Add the whipping cream, lemon & orange zests, vanilla extract and beat until incorporated. 
4. Remove the crust from the fridge and pour in the filling. Place the cheesecake pan on a larger baking pan in case of leakage and place on center rack of oven. 
5. Bake for 15 minutes at 350º F and then lower oven temperature to 250º F and continue to bake for another 60 - 90 minutes. You want the edges firm but the center of the cheesecake slightly wobbly. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. 

For Topping:

1. In a small bowl combine the sour cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Spread the topping over the warm cheesecake and return to the oven to bake for another 15 minutes a 250º F. 
2. Remove from oven and carefully run a knife around the inside edge of the pan to loosen the cheesecake from the springform pan. This will prevent the surface from cracking as it cools. 
3. Let it cool completely before covering with plastic wrap. Refrigerate several hours, preferably overnight. 

Cherry Topping (optional):

1. Place all ingredients together in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil. 
2. Once boiling, cook it for an additional 1 - 2 minutes then remove from heat. Cool completely. 
3. Remove springform pan and transfer cheesecake to a plate. Spread topping over chilled cheesecake. 

LOVE IN ACTION

photos via nostalgic-romantic

MASSACHUSETTS, NEW ENGLAND

I've been in Boston and surrounding areas shooting a commercial. I don't remember it being so incredibly beautiful. I took these photos during our director's scout.

SONG FOR SUNDAY

I'll sing it one last time for you

Then we really have to go

You've been the only thing that's right

In all I've done

And I can barely look at you

But every single time I do

I know we'll make it anywhere

Away from here

Light up, light up

As if you have a choice

Even if you cannot hear my voice

I'll be right beside you dear

Louder louder

And we'll run for our lives

I can hardly speak I understand

Why you can't raise your voice to say

To think I might not see those eyes

Makes it so hard not to cry

And as we say our long goodbye

I nearly do

Light up, light up

As if you have a choice

Even if you cannot hear my voice

I'll be right beside you dear

Louder louder

And we'll run for our lives

I can hardly speak I understand

Why you can't raise your voice to say

Slower slower

We don't have time for that

All I want's to find an easy way

To get out of our little heads

Have heart, my dear

We're bound to be afraid

Even if it's just for a few days

Making up for all this mess

Light up, light up

As if you have a choice

Even if you cannot hear my voice

I'll be right beside you dear


(snow patrol, run)