Hi! I’m the Food Specialist for Kitchen Kettle Foods. When I tell people this, they always ask, well Kristine, what exactly do you do? In order to have this job in the first place, I had to have the necessary education. I have a degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Delaware.

My job here at Kitchen Kettle Foods requires wearing many exciting and challenging hats during any typical day! [Interrupt this for a brief snafu in the kitchen: What do you mean, the whole raspberries are pureed? The container states whole, which is what we need. I need to solve this problem immediately!]

Whew I’m back – solving unexpected problems in the kitchen is a typical part of any day here at Kitchen Kettle Foods. As Captain of the Processing Kitchen, it’s up to me to ensure all kitchen production goes well and to fix any problems when it doesn’t. It’s critical that we maintain a high quality product at all times, stringently following the FDA guidelines for processing.

While writing this post, I am also preparing for Kitchen Kettle’s annual Rhubarb Festival. Our marketing coach, Lisa Horn, has recently tracked me down and requested I prepare recipes for outside tables during the festival. Whoa – she needs it for 1000 people! Sure, no problem! Where’s my chef’s hat for the festival?!

[Knock on the door] Kristine, I have a bus group who wants a special tour – can you help me out? Sure, let’s talk it out now and get a plan in place.

Wait, before I go, there’s also a health inspector on site. Can you meet with him as the Captain/Coach is off today? Sure, no problem! (Where’s my hair net?!)

I’m so glad I just passed my ServSafe Certification again – perfectly prepared for the health inspection! On that note Kristine, can you also be the ServSafe Instructor and Proctor for the company? Oh no! Can I pass that?!  (I DID – and now I am also in charge of the in-house inspections as well.)

[Telephone rings] Kristine, I have an unhappy guest who wants to talk to someone who knows about our products and how they’re made. Sure, what line are they on?

[Phone rings again 10 minutes later] Kristine, here are the new products we’d like for this year. No problem – I’ll get right on these. Another pickle? Awesome!

Actually, I just got finished creating our newest pickle for that line of products – the Sweet Fire Pickle Chip. MMM, tastes great! Make sure to try some during your next visit to the village!

Wow – time to go home already! Looks like my day is over and it feels like I just got here. Can’t wait to tell Hank (my beloved Jack Russell Terrier) all about another exciting and fast-paced day at the Kettle!

We all know that life can be a zoo sometimes. So how do we manage to stay on top of it all? I’m asking this to all those foodies out there. Tips and suggestions are welcome! I grew up in Lancaster County with my mom always making a homemade dinner, pretty much every night of the week. Everything from casseroles to mashed potatoes and meatloaf. My husband was raised the same way. I decided I must figure out a way to keep my meals less time consuming but still hearty especially now that I’m the one cooking every night (ah!).  That being said I am sharing with you all a time saver meal that I have come to love…I hope you enjoy!

Crockpot Roast:

3-4 lb. Chuck Roast (fully thawed)

1 cup water

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 packet Swanson Flavor Boost Beef

1 ½ tsp salt & pepper

1 ½ tsp garlic

1 med chopped onion

3 lg carrots chopped into chunks

3 med potato’s washed and cut in half

Instructions:

Chop medium onion into fine pieces and place on bottom of crockpot with olive oil. Place chuck roast on top of onions in crockpot. Mix 1 cup of water with 1 pack of Swanson Flavor Boost Beef (you could use half beef broth & half water). Pour over the roast. Place chopped carrots and potatoes around the roast (you might have to stuff them down the sides and overlap on the roast, that’s ok!). Add salt, pepper and garlic. Place your crockpot on low for 8-10 hours (the longer the better).

You will end up with a full meal (and leftovers) that is hearty and healthy! The roast will melt in your mouth…an added bonus is the smell that will fill your home- delish! This takes me a total of 10 minutes to prep! So I usually try to turn it on at 8:30 am and then it is ready to go by 5:30 pm! Please pass on time saving meals and tips. I am open to new suggestions!

Hello All!

We hope you are all enjoying the start to your spring! The hints of warm weather in the Village means we are gearing up for all sorts of fun. Preparations for the 30^th Annual Rhubarb Festival are well under way. The Rhubarb Festival is the kick-off for our festival season. The Rhubarb Festival is May 17th – 18th, Music for Everyone Festival falls on June 15th and Yummie’s Birthday Bash is on August 3rd!

For 30 years Kitchen Kettle has been celebrating the arrival of spring with a quintessential symbol from Lancaster County- rhubarb. During the weekend of the festival on May 17^th and 18^th, rhubarb jam is cooking in the kitchen, musical entertainment fills the air, and samples galore pack the streets. But the highlight of the festival falls on Saturday with the “Bake a Pie…Save a Farm Rhubarb Baking Contest”! This is how is works…anyone can sign up on our website, www.kitchenkettle.com, let us know you will be baking a dessert and show up Saturday morning at 9:30 with a delicious pie or cake containing some form of rhubarb! It’s that easy. Your dessert will be taste tested by a panel of Lancaster County celebrity judges. There will be a few different categories and prizes. Desserts will then be sold after the contest, proceeds benefiting the Lancaster Farmland Trust. For the full low down on the contest head over to our website (www.kitchenkettle.com) and check out the details and rules. Another highlight of Rhubarb Festival weekend is the world’s only Rhubarb Race Car Derby! Yes that’s right, kids and adults alike can get the chance to assemble a derby car partly made out of rhubarb and race it on an electronically timed track! Don’t miss this great weekend and opportunity to celebrate the kick-off of the spring/summer season!

Below is a full schedule of events for the weekend…we hope to see you there!

Friday, May 17th, 2013

• 11am-1pm – Summit Hill Bluegrass Band performing at the stage area
• 11am-4pm – Banjo Jimmy & his Sidemen performing ragtime folk music
• Noon – Rhubarb Whoopie Pie Filling Contest at the stage area-participants needed
• 1pm-3pm – Enjoy the antics of strolling comedian Geist
• 2pm-5pm – Apple Jack Country Western Band performing at the stage area
• All Day – Meet “Rhu-Barb”, our rhubarb expert for helpful rhubarb hints
• All Day – Rhubarb food sampling tables with cooking demonstrations
• All Day – Fresh rhubarb for sale
• All Day – Rhubarb jams being made in our Jam & Relish Kitchen

Saturday, May 18th, 2013

• 10:30pm – “Bake a Pie…Save a Farm – Best Rhubarb Dessert in Lancaster County Baking Contest” featuring celebrity judges. Dessert slices will be sold following the competition. All proceeds benefit the Lancaster Farmland Trust.
• 11am-3pm —Rhubarb Race Car Derby to benefit Lancaster Farmland Trust - races held at 11am, Noon & 3pm
• 11am-4pm – Banjo Jimmy & his Sidemen performing folk music
• 11am – 1pm – Balloon twisting for the kids with the “Balunguy”
• 11:30am – Crowning of the official Rhubarb King & Queen at the stage area during “halftime” of the baking contest judging.
• 11:30am-1:30pm – Rich D and the Dean performing at The Country Life store
• 12:30-2pm – The Dixieland Band performing ragtime favorites at the stage
• 2pm – Rollicking Rhubarb Stroll (too small to be called a parade) featuring musicians, costumed characters, Kitchen Kettle’s own pink ladies and the Rhubarb King & Queen & more.
• 2:30-5:30pm – Enjoy the sounds of the Roadsters (a 50’s band) performing at the stage
• All Day – Rhubarb food sampling tables with cooking demonstrations
• All Day – Fresh rhubarb for sale
• All Day – Rhubarb jams being made in our Jam & Relish Kitchen

Well our pup Bailey is now around 7 months old. It seems as though she has hit her teenage years. She has loads of energy but is lots of fun and keeps my husband and me on our toes! Her favorite activities include playing Frisbee in the backyard, long walks around town and eating (anything from stealing English Muffins off the kitchen counter to carrots). Treats are important to Baily, that affirmation is a must for her.  I have realized though that I might not be giving her the most nutritious treats, in fact some of them could be harming her. When browsing various pet stores I have noticed that all natural treats that are not made with artificial flavoring/die tend to be a little expensive. So I am trying something new! Homemade dog treats… Below is a recipe which I have had great success with but most importantly Bailey loves them!

Taking her evening walk around town…

Oh the joy’s of training a pup…learning how to “sit”

Bonding time!

Bailey’s Bones:

2 cups King Arthur Whole Wheat Flour or Premium While Wheat Flour

1 cup rolled oats, regular or quick

1 tablespoon dried parsley or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

½ cup Baker’s Special Dry Milk or nonfat dry milk

½ teaspoon salt

Stir to combine.

Add 2 large eggs and 1 cup peanut butter, crunchy or plain.

Stir to combine; the mixture will be crumbly.

Add ½ cup + 1 tablespoon cold water, or enough to make cohesive dough. Depending on the season, you might need to add a bit more (winter), or a bit less (summer).

To make dog biscuits, drop the dough in walnut-sized balls onto a lightly greased or parchment –lined baking sheet. Flatten to about ¼” thick. No, it’s not pretty; it’ll develop cracks all over, and very ragged edges. Not worries; trust me, your dog won’t care about looks and neither did Bailey. Gather and re-roll the scraps, and continue to roll biscuits until you’ve used all the dough. Lay the biscuits close together on the prepared baking sheet, since the biscuits don’t include any leavening (baking powder, yeast, etc.), they won’t spread much.

Bake the biscuits for about 40 to 60 minutes.

Cool and share with your favorite companion! These are healthy and inexpensive treats for “man’s best friend.”

In the early morning hours I hear a Great Horned Owl hooting in the distance from my west Lancaster home and I climb out of my basement into the backyard where signs of spring are shooting up everywhere. The sun is shining but I’m in my winter coat because it’s still quite chilly and the wind continues to blow. I’m so over the wind. There are times when where ever you go people are complaining about the weather and I often hear, “where is spring?” It’s not necessarily in the air but it’s in the dirt. Things are growing by leaps and bounds in my garden and it’s a boost to my winter blues.

I’m excited to share that I’m using a Pinterest idea this year for my seedlings. I started saving the cardboard in the toilet paper and paper towel rolls. I cut them into 2 inch lengths and place them in a tray. I then add potting soil and then seeds. The sunflowers, marigolds, delphiniums, zinnias and tomatoes seedlings give me hope like nothing else throughout the year. Spring is actually here and I have proof. That is so comforting. Plant a seed and see spring even if it’s hard to feel.

Check out our Pinterest boards at  http://pinterest.com/kitchenkettle/ and go to our DIY Ideas for other gardening ideas along with many clever ideas for spring. Check out http://www.kensgardens.com/ or go to Ken’s Gardens (our neighbor on Rt. 772) for garden ideas and great selections of everything to plant.

Seedlings springing to life in their paper roll dividers.

Sam does the heavy work moving the plants around the yard.

Iris and other perennials seeking the sun.

I applied for a job once and before even looking at my resume, the guy accepting it looked up to the sky and began waxing poetic: “I like it here cause I can play ya know? I’m like a kid in my sandbox! You gotta see this as your sandbox, you think you can do that?” I hadn’t quite let go of the paper resume yet, so I slowly pulled it back and said thank you very much and slipped back out the door.

Was “sandbox guy” a little weird? Sure. Was what he said wrong? Not at all. He knew the kind of person he was looking for and he knew that if that scared off a qualified candidate, than so be it. “Sandbox guy” was a leader who had an intention to get the most out of his people. This skill, whether innate or learned, can be tough to master and takes practice (and clearly doesn’t communicate to everyone, ha!).

We’re all about creating recipes, tasty treats, fun festivals, and funky fashion, but we’re nothing without fun people and effective leadership. We make  a real effort to sustain our great people here in the village and last week, a few of us even went to hear how one guy out of Gettysburg has put his spin on it. The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce brought in Steve Wiley and his presentation from the Lincoln Leadership Institute in Gettysburg. Steve’s a big guy, who although modest in his story, has some big time experience in the business world. I won’t give it all away because you should definitely see him if you have a chance, but he has a healthy respect for being at the very top  and how quickly it can turn to having the IRS watching your every business decision.

How does one TEACH leadership?  How does one TEACH listening?

Steve’s premise is that you can’t do either one of those; they must be experienced. So besides the energy and charisma that Steve brings to his story, the presentation also had a visit from Abraham Lincoln. It seemed to go on a little long, but when I reminded myself the type of decisions this man made, and the widespread respect of his leadership style, I found myself a little more willing to suspend my disbelief for what I initially saw as a real “stunt”. It was an experience.

The real meat came next though when Steve returned and asked what we heard, asked what we found to be significant. We had a quick discussion about the experience. After this, we watched snippets from the film Gettysburg and did a little more reflecting.

Speakers like Steve don’t insult you as a listener; he sees the entire presentation as a two way street. He knows you’re not scribbling his every word. He knows you’re happy to be out of the office for a day. He values your time and so he gives you a couple of pieces of experience that you’ll remember. He stresses phrases like “Listen ’til it hurts!” and stressed that communication forms the basis for all other building blocks of leadership. I found myself putting a lot of his scenarios and tips into context for how we do things in both the lodging department (mine) and the whole of Kitchen Kettle Village. My what a day!

Being around such powerful, yet self-deprecating personalities really puts me at ease. To me, great leaders take the job seriously, but not so much themselves. Steve definitely fit that mold by the way he shared his theories on parenting his three boys, his role as a husband, and his entertaining stories as a budding entrepreneur with only $600 in his pocket after college graduation.

We at Kitchen Kettle Village keep a good sense of humor – that’s for sure. The leaders of our different crews really work hard to show gratitude and empower every single person who represents Kitchen Kettle to the public. I’m grateful we take the time to train each other and grateful we value the individual styles of our leadership. Next time you’re here, remember there is some real, year-round work that goes into creating this place and the experience.

Happy Birthday to Grammy!

Yesterday was Grammy’s 85th birthday (I don’t think she’d mind my telling you her age).  Yes, Patricia Kling Burnley, Grammy to the rest of us, was born on St. Patrick’s Day.  Thus her name.  Apparently my grandfather thought that Mom was his last hope for a boy, she had two older sisters.  So the only names he had ready were male names.  When she arrived on St. Patrick’s Day Patricia just made sense.  Mom says her father always wanted a boy, so he just raised her like one.  Maybe that’s where she got her business acumen.  Back in the 1920′s most women didn’t work with their fathers, they grew up to be nurses and teachers rather than businesspeople.

Grammy is the matriarch at Kitchen Kettle Village.  She has decided that two to three half days a week keeps her in close enough touch to know that the next generations can keep things surviving and growing.  She just loves to come greet our guests and they love to meet her.  So as long as she’s able she’ll either be outside at the information booth to say hello as soon as you get here or on cold days she’s at the Jam & Relish Kitchen making sure those cash register lines move fast enough.

Grammy also is the focus of our ad campaigns.  Her bright smile, her authentic hospitality are the hallmark of Kitchen Kettle Village.  Everything we know we learned from Grammy, at least about the day to day operations.  Without her husband Bob, Grandpa, we never would have grown to be the size of a Village.  Grammy also holds the purse strings pretty tightly.

So here’s to another 85 years Grammy, or at least another 15.  Gathering her family at brunch yesterday at The Greenfield Restaurant is an occasion not many families can do.  We are grateful.

If we are lucky Lancaster County will transform into a spring oasis over the next few weeks. I have seen a few signs that spring is on its way… daffodils and hyacinth are popping up all over my yard. The flowerbeds are coming alive as the temperature begins to creep up. How exciting!  Along with the arrival of spring comes my desire to get out and about, and enjoy all that Lancaster County has to offer. I am going to share with you a few of my favorite stops and activities that I enjoy during the spring season in Lancaster County!

*Picture is of a hyacinth that popped up in my backyard

1. Hunting for treasures or in other words “antiquing” can be a fun activity to do any time of the year, but along with spring comes the right to spruce up my house with a few new pieces. There are always treasures to be found and an adventure to take when antiquing in Lancaster County!

• Building Character is a unique store located in Downtown Lancaster. Not only do they have a large selection of antiques but they also have a flea market mixed with old and new. They have several vendors which sell antiques, homemade and locally made items, crafts, clothing…the list could go on! This is a must see.

Website: http://buildingcharacter.biz/

• Burning Bridge Antiques is your quintessential antique mall. But why I always enjoy going back is because of the selection. Not only is it a 3 floor building packed with hundreds of vendors, it has an assortment! If you are looking for something specific this is the place to go. Located in downtown Columbia you’re not far from fun lunch or coffee spots. Give yourself several hours if you plan to visit.

Website: www.burningbridgeantiques.com/

• Patricia’s Antiques & Collectibles might be one of my favorite stops. Patricia’s is on the smaller side and doesn’t embody the “flea market” feel like the stores listed above. What I love about this hidden gem is price point and atmosphere. When you walk into the small shop attached to a house you see a coal stove and feel like you just walked into someone’s home. If you are ever nearby or plan an antiquing day, add this stop to your list!

Website: http://patriciasantiquesandcollectibles.com

2. Let’s talk food! It is not a secret that here in Lancaster County we have an abundance of tasty treats and with spring right around the corner it’s time to get out and visit a few of my favorite spots.

• Kitchen Kettle Village is a family owned business packed full of my favorite canned goods. They have been “cannin and jammin” for over 55 years! Ironically I grew up helping my Amish neighbor with her small canning business in the basement of her home. I would spend hours with her canning. Unfortunately her business closed but the good news is I have a place to satisfy my cravings and over 90 different products to choose from! But tasty canned good’s are only the beginning of the endless list of treats to be found at Kitchen Kettle. You will find locally made ice cream, homemade fudge, authentic Pennsylvania Dutch baked goods made on the property and 2 restaurants to satisfy any craving you might have. You can also shop ’til you drop with over 42 retail shops!

Website: www.kitchenkettle.com

• The Springerle House is a European-style bakery and café located in the quaint town of Strasburg. They are known for Springerle cookies which is German for “picture cookies.” It is one of the few places you will find cookies so intricately designed. The barista’s are wonderful and make an excellent latte! Next time you’re nearby grab a cookie and latte and take a stroll around Strasburg.

Website www.springerlehouse.com/

• Central Market can’t go without mentioning. I rely on market for my fruits and veggies throughout the colder months (yes, they still have a great section during the winter) but when spring rolls around Market takes on a whole new atmosphere! The building comes alive and the hustle and bustle of the locals returns. You will find stands that offer homemade items and goodies that include baked goods, soy candles, loose leaf tea, coffee, ethnic foods, fresh flowers, meats and cheeses, organic goods…the list could go on! This has become a favorite stop of the hubby’s! He loves the fresh seafood selection and locally made meats and cheese, and I can’t forget the baked goods!

Website: http://www.centralmarketlancaster.com/

3. Landscaping, gardening & everything in between. Our home was built back in the 50’s and needed a little bit of a face lift inside and out. We have conquered the inside for the most part but the outside desperately needs spruced up. Below are two stops that I will be making to help with the outside renovations.

• Groff’s Plant Farm is nestled in the Southern End of the County. Groff’s is a refuge for landscapers and gardeners alike. A hot spot for everything from shrubs and trees to plants and soil. If you were planning to do a little yard demo this would be the place to stop.

Website: http://groffsplantfarm.com

• Ken’s Gardens has a wonderful selection. They have a large greenhouse located in Intercourse and Smoketown. They also have a small shop at Kitchen Kettle Village.  Ken’s Gardens is very resourceful and offers tips and services to help you update your garden or custom planted pots.

Website: http://www.kensgardens.com/

Make sure to take time this spring to explore Lancaster County and enjoy all the wonderful resources we have at our fingertips. If you have a favorite spring activity or stop you enjoy please feel free to pass it along to me! I would love to hear from you. Email: cgiffing@kitchenkettle.com

Follow along with us as we highlight a few of the individuals who work around the Village and help create a simply world famous experience for our visitors! Learn what hobbies they might have and what their responsibilities hold here at Kitchen Kettle!

Tanya Miller: Front of the House Team Lead at the Kling House Restaurant

1.What exactly does your position entail?

I schedule the servers, server assist, and hostess. I respond to comment cards from guests, good or bad! I talk to guests when they are here and answer any questions they might have whether it’s about their food or about the Village. I make sure the “front of the house” aka the main dining rooms are up to par and ready to serve our guests!

2. What positions have you worked around the Village since you started at Kitchen Kettle?

I have worked at the Roasted Rooster, Bake Shop, Jelly Room and Mail order.

3. What do you enjoy most about your job here at the Village?

I really enjoy getting to know our guests. Their stories are always interesting! I also enjoy serving people and making sure they enjoyed their experience with us at the Kling House Restaurant.

4. What is your favorite Kitchen Kettle product?

By far my favorite Kitchen Kettle product is our Shoo Fly Pies! They are just delicious! I would have to say that my favorite jarred item is the pickled beets; you just can’t go wrong with them.

5. What are some of your hobbies?

I really enjoy baking. Recently I have had to change to a gluten free diet for health reasons so I have had to modify my recipes. But thankfully one of my favorite things to make is cheesecake which is gluten free. Besides the crust (I just buy a gluten free crust). I also enjoy gardening. Last year I tried growing vegetables in large pots. I don’t think that went over to well because I ended up planting to many different types of veggies in one pot and they didn’t have enough room to grow. But someday I would love to have a large garden in my back yard! On my days off I enjoy sitting down with a good book and cup of coffee and spending time with my family!

6. What are some of your favorite stand-by baked goods or meals which you enjoy making?

Cheesecake – especially lemon curd cheesecake, which is so delicious. I was featured in the Lancaster Newspaper for this recipe. It is one of my favorites and my family loves it too! They always request this on family nights. I also enjoy making chocolate peanut butter cake, stir fry, salads and chili. I rely on weekly meal planning, which has really helped keep the grocery bills down and also makes mealtime less stressful.

My Stand-By Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake (Gluten Free Version)

Cake:

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

¾ cup of peanut butter

1 tsp. baking soda

2 cups flour: I do gluten free all-purpose flour and then add 1 tsp. Xanthan gum

1 stick butter

1 cup water

½ cup buttermilk

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

Icing:

1 stick of butter

½ cup peanut butter

6 tbsp. buttermilk

3 ½ cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Cake

1. In a large bowl, mix together sugar, baking soda, flour and salt and Xanthan gum, if doing gluten free version.
2. Combine butter, water and peanut butter in a saucepan and bring to boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add to flour mixture. Blend well.
3. Add milk, vanilla and eggs to the mix and mix well
4. Pour batter into a large 12″ x14″ pan or sheet tray with an egg and bake at 400 for 20-30 minutes.

Frosting

Bring butter, peanut butter and milk to a boil in a saucepan. Add 10x sugar and vanilla. Beat on medium speed till fluffy. Pour over warm cake and top with chocolate chips to your desire. ENJOY!

I am starting to see the hearts, sappy cards, roses and chocolate appear. One of the most loved but loathed days is approaching. I will be the first to admit that Valentines Day was never one of my favorites. In fact the most pleasant recollection I have is way back in kindergarten when my classmates and I would swap adorable little Valentines cards. Now that is pretty sad and calls for a fresh start! Little did I know my husband had a surprise up his sleeve and told me last week that he had booked 2 train tickets for a weekend getaway to celebrate our fist Valentine’s Day together! So, it’s officially the best one yet!

This year I am looking forward to adding hints of pink and red around my home. This past weekend I decided to get a little crafty and create a Burlap Bubble Wreath and a simple Garland that is hanging above the fireplace. Enjoy the tips below! I will be also posting a dessert that I will be making on the 14th… hopefully I can hold out until then because this combination is to die for!

HOW TO: Burlap Bubble Wreath  (with a little twist)

What you will need:

1-10″ foam wreath (I purchased mine at Michael’s craft store)

 

(these directions are from Today’s Fabulous Finds, I tweaked them with my recommendations and changes)

Finished Product!

 

• 1 package (9 ounces) chocolate wafer cookies
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 4 bars (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
• Chocolate Ganache for topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Assemble a 9-inch spring form pan with the raised side of the bottom facing down.

1. In a food processor, pulse cookies until finely ground. Add butter, and pulse to moisten. Transfer to prepared pan, and press crumbs firmly and evenly into the bottom. Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet; bake 10 minutes, and set aside.
2. Wipe out bowl and blade of food processor. Add cream cheese, sugar, and salt; blend until smooth. With motor running, add eggs, then sour cream, and finally chocolate; blend filling until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
3. Pour filling onto crust, and bake just until set, 1 hour. Turn oven off, and let cheesecake sit 1 hour in oven, without opening (this helps prevent cracking).
4. Run a thin knife around the edge of the pan (this helps prevent cracking, too); leave in pan, and cool completely on wire rack. Cover loosely and refrigerate, at least 6 hours or up to overnight.
5. Prepare Chocolate Ganache. Remove cheesecake from the mold. Spread ganache in center of cheesecake; let set before serving.

Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 4 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, bring cream to a boil.
2. Remove from heat, and add chocolate.
3. Stir until melted, then set aside until thickened, 2 to 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Wish me luck as I give this cheesecake a try! If you have any questions regarding the projects above please feel free to email me at cgiffing@kitchenkettle.com. Also this recipe along with hundreds of others will be posted on our recpie website. Please check it out and let me know if you found any tasty ideas!