Peanut Butter Oreo Mini Cheesecake

Salute me; I have discovered, through that most honorable method of following one's stomach and taste, a recipe--nay, a dessert, a perfection--full worthy of the ingredients it be composed of, namely Oreos and cream cheese.

Hush, ye inner voice which whispers that my recipe was in truth invented long before I stumbled upon it. Hush, and allow me to relay it.

Okay, Shakespearean talk over. I discovered a single serving cheesecake recipe by scrounging around the kitchen while craving cream cheese, oreos, and thinking that probably peanut butter would go well with them. I love it. It's creamy, takes twenty minutes or so, and I'm of the opinion that it epitomizes comfort food and would be good for the heartbreaking plot twist which would usually occur at the twenty minute mark. I'm currently planning on making one before I watch the Christmas special, so it's ready when I need it.

Anyway. The first time I made this, I wasn't measuring anything and was tasting after each addition, and upon gaining Mom's approval and concurrence of its deliciousness, I decided to make it again (half because she wasn't feeling good and I kind of let her eat it so I needed to make one again anyway) and write down the recipe. So. here it is.

Separate 3 Oreos, placing the cookies in a sandwich bag and the filling in a bowl. Using a rolling pin, finely crush the cookies. Melt 1 Tbsp butter in one ramekin (or whatever dish you'll use to hold your mini cheesecake). Stir the cookies into the butter until completely blended, press into the bottom and put in the freezer. Take the filling and, using a butterknife, crumble the filling. Set aside. (I hate doing more dishes than I need to, so at this step I pour it back into the bag I used to crush the Oreos, leaving the bowl open for the next step.) Microwave 2 oz cream cheese in the bowl for 10 seconds. Stir until smooth. (It doesn't need to be completely softened, just smoother) Put 1 Tbsp peanut butter in the same bowl as the cream cheese, but do not stir. Microwave both the cream cheese and the peanut butter for another 10 seconds. Stir together until completely blended and smooth. Add 1 Tbsp sugar to the cream cheese mixture and stir. Remove ramekin from the freezer and spoon the cream cheese mixture onto the cookie crust. Take Oreo filling and sprinkle over the top. Put back in the freezer.

I haven't actually conclusively measured this last bit; I think 10 minutes would be fine, but I usually end up forgetting about it until 20 minutes later. When I take it out it's firm and cheesecake-y and perfect. And it only makes one so you don't really have to share anything more than a bite. :) It is rather rich, though, but I just ate half of it, saved it and then ate the rest. It works perfectly.

So there you go. Happy eating, and feel free to wiggle around with the recipe, since I think the first one used more cream cheese and was better. Also may need more butter. not sure.

Enjoy!

Fairytales Reviews Announcement

Fairytales.

Odd things, they are. If you were to open a book and begin to read about a kind, hardworking girl with great beauty, her two awful sisters, their scheming mother, a wonderful handsome prince who does nothing other than search out the beautiful girl and marry her, thus making her a princess...it sounds like a Mary Sue fanfiction, doesn't it?

Yet Cinderella has always been well loved.

It makes me wonder if there is a difference between opening a book that you know is a fairytale and one that isn't. In fairytales, such things as true love and virtuous heroes and heroines can happen and do happen and are looked upon as nothing strange. And I’ll admit, the second part of that is fine. Heroes are supposed to be good. The fairytales tell morals, more often than not (for instance, you are greatly rewarded for continually having a cheerful attitude despite being forced to work as basically a slave in your own home). But why do we love them? What is it about magic and true love and spells and breaking of spells that just...settles something within us? You finish one and the adult part of you is saying, "Yeah, that really didn't make much sense and the characters--" and the childish wonder in you is just sighing in contentment at the world, because the girl worked hard and was rewarded for it. Even if it had a 'bad' ending, it was usually for a reason. The girl was selfish or vain and was punished for it.

Perhaps that's it. The fairytale world has its rules, and they are followed. You know it will happen, you expect it to happen, and when it does you are content.

However, the adult part of you that has gone through courses on Literature and knows terms like 'characterization' and 'plot' and 'suspension of disbelief' doesn't quite like the simplistic nature of fairytales and the blind faith you sometimes have to have. (The twelve dancing princesses danced every night because they did, okay? No other reason is needed.) Childish you still loves them, but adult you realizes they could be better stories.

And lo and behold, you find these wonderful books called 'fairytale retellings'.

Ah.

Oh, joy. They are the fairytales we know and love, but they make sense! The characters are believable! The plot advances in the way it should! And best of all, (as I've already said) it's still the story you love that you grew up with and the guy gets the girl or vice versa and good triumphs in the end and everything.

Suffice it to say, dear readers, that I have discovered the wonderful realm of fairytale retellings. I have already read a couple books within said genre and am endeavoring to figure out how to write a review about them, which will appear shortly. New Year and regular posts and all that. :) Sides, my blog is becoming a book review platform...I'll add a couple movies later. (Also I might try reviewing a soundtrack? *clears throat* I’m not saying I’m obsessed or anything, but I’ve found that the soundtrack for Thor: The Dark World tells a story too. And other movies, like—eh. Yeah, I’ll probably do that.)

Anyway. Expect to see Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, also by Jessica Day George, Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis, and any others I manage to get my hands on. Speaking of, any recommendations? Hey-please-read-this-and-tell-me-if-it's-any-good requests? Starflower-involved-a-kiss-by-a-prince-and-therefore-counts nudges? It’s-a-whole-new-fairytale-so-do-it-anyway logic? Seriously, anything.

Feed me the books, dearies.