Anniversary Gathering :: Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberries

It has been a while since I was able to participate in the Sunday Supper weekly posting but when Isabel, The Family Foodie, reached out and asked if I would be interested in adding a tablescape portion to the weekly blog posting, I was thrilled. {For those of you unfamiliar with the term; Tablescape, it is a word used to describe “the artistic arrangement of articles on a table”. It may be plates, napkins, flowers or other decor. It can relate to a table where food will be served or to an arrangement of items on a side table in a living room with out food.} It may not work for every topic but when it does we will try to bring a fresh idea and look to the Sunday Supper table. Tables may be a buffet, a children’s birthday party, or some, like today, are a private table to celebrate an Anniversary of a special couple.

This tablescape was designed to be a special breakfast for two {My Grandparents} but could be used for a desert table for the a large family get together, or Valentines Day celebration. As with cooking & baking, by first learning the proper way to set the table you can then play with moving items around to create the look you are going for.

Placing a photo of the couple in an aged silver frame on the table is an immediate reminder of why you are here and celebrates the love of a happy couple of many years. Metallic votives mirror the frame and give the table a classy festive touch.

Use cakestands to raise the cheesecake and bowl of strawberries off the lower table surface. This creates not only the effect of showcasing these items but also allows for additional space on the table for oversized plates. Clear flutes filled with Proseco keep the look clean and allow the bubbles to be the star. The “OFF DUTY” section of the morning paper again reminds you to slow down and enjoy this celebration.

Use oversized dinner plates as chargers, then place a smaller decorative salad plate on top to be used as the service plate. I love this chair plate and am feeling that a Chair theme table will be coming soon…. A dark brown linen tablecloth adds richness to the color scheme and allows the white plates and red strawberries to be the pop of color. Crisp tan linen napkins topped with polished silverware add additional layers of texture.

CHEESECAKE WITH FRESH STRAWBERRIES

Recipe adapted from Cristina Ferrare & The Messy Baker

INGREDIENTS:

GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST

1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup pecans
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

FILLING

3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tsp. lemon zest
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

TOPPING

1 pint fresh strawberries, halved and arranged on top of the cake
1/4 cup strawberry jam

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

To make the crust: In the bowl of a food processor, add 1 cup of pecans. Pulse the pecans until they become a fine crumb. In a medium-size bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, pecan crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, and butter until moistened. Using the bottom of a glass, press the crumbs into the bottom of a 10-inch by 3-inch springform pan. Bake for 15 minutes, and cool completely.

To make the filling: In a mixer using the paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese for two minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add 1 cup of sugar in an even stream, and mix for 2 more minutes, until light and fluffy, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition to incorporate thoroughly, and scrape down the sides of the bowl each time. Add the of sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. Process until well blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Pour the filling into the cooled crust, and spread evenly in the pan. Lift the pan and tap it on the counter several times to release any bubbles in the batter. Bake for 1 hour, or until the top is set. If it wiggles slightly, that’s okay. Do not overbake.

Cool the cake completely in the pan overnight. On the next day, release the springform pan from the cake. Arrange the halved strawberries attractively on top of the cake. Heat 1/4 cup of strawberry jam in the microwave for about 40 seconds. Using a pastry brush, brush the strawberries with the jam to give it a sweet, shiny coating. Slice and serve. Enjoy!

We are celebrating this week’s birthday event by choosing recipes from contributors that have inspired us in the past year. Boy was this a tough week… how do you choose just one recipe from 52 weeks of fabulous Sunday Supper Recipes?

Sunday Supper Appetizers:

Hot Spinach Parmesan Dip by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks inspired by Comfy Cuisine
So Simple Pizza Puffs by The Weekend Gourmet inspired by Hip Foodie Mom
Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pull Apart by Noshing With The Nolands inspired by In the Kitchen with KP

Sunday Supper Soups and Breads:

Lasagna Soup by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen inspired by Cravings of a Lunatic
Easy Italian Wedding Soup by Webicurean inspired by Family Foodie
Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage Soup by Damn Delicious inspired by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
Honey Butter Dinner Rolls by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts inspired by Chocolate Moosey
Chicken Noodle Soup by Big Bears Wife inspired by My Catholic Kitchen
Tomato Florentine Soup by Mama Mommy Mom inspired by The Meltaways
Chicken Soup with Dumplings by Comfy Cuisine inspired by The Messy Baker
Coconut Curry Chicken Soup by My Trials in the Kitchen inspired by Damn Delicious

Sunday Supper Main Dishes:

Portuguese Mussels and Shrimp in Chorizo Sauce by Supper for a Steal inspired by Family Foodie
(GlutenFree) Chicken Bruschetta by The Meltaways inspired by Family Foodie
Feijoada Portuguese Bean Stew by Kimchi Mom inspired by Family Foodie
Lentils and Chorizo Stew by Galactosemia in PDX inspired by Vintage Kitchen
Carnitas Pizza w/ Chipotle-Avocado Crema by girlichef inspired by Damn Delicious
Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas by Country Girl in the Village inspired by Webicurean
Drunken Meatballs by Small Wallet Big Appetite inspired by The Foodie Army Wife
Goat Cheese Rigatoni Alfredo by Magnolia Days inspired by Family Foodie
Beef Stroganoff by What Smells So Good? inspired by From Fast Food to Fresh Food
Dorie’s Chicken-in-the-Pot by Hip Foodie Mom inspired by Gotta Get Baked
Pulled Pickled Pork by Juanita’s Cocina inspired by Daily Dish Recipes
Hoisin Asian Meatballs by Gotta Get Baked inspired by Damn Delicious
Shrimp-Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes by Daily Dish Recipes inspired by Juanita’s Cocina
Soy, Orange Juice and Red Wine Marinade by Peanut Butter and Peppers inspired by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Chicken Burger with Curried Cabbage Slaw by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings inspired by Soni’s Food
Corn and Basil Handpies by Curious Cuisiniere inspired by Vintage Kitchen Notes
Lightened Up Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken by Cupcakes and Kale Chips inspired by The Meltaways
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Chili by Food Lust People inspired by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Bigos by Maroc Mama inspired by From Fast Food to Fresh Food
Crispy Coconut Chicken Strips with Sweet Chili Sauce by From Fast Food to Fresh Food inspired by Crispy Bits and Burnt Ends
Pork Loin with Port Shallot Sauce by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen inspired by Vintage Kitchen Notes
Sweet & Tender Brisket by Daddy Knows Less inspired by Juanita’s Cocina
Fish Tacos by Cookistry inspired by Little Ferraro Kitchen
Homemade Harissa by Masala Herb inspired by The Wimpy Vegetarian
Spicy Seoulful Pulled Pork Sandwiches by Family Foodie inspired by Kimchi Mom
New Orleans Style White Beans & Rice by Catholic Foodie inspired by The Hand that Rocks the Ladle
Spice Rubbed Chicken Tacos with Tropical Salsa by The Urban Mrs. inspired by Family Foodie
Mac n Cheese Cups with Pork Shoulder Ragu by Crispy Pieces and Burnt Ends inspired by Hip Foodie Mom
Paella by My Cute Bride inspired by What Smells So Good?

Sunday Supper Veggies:

Carrots au Gratin by Shockingly Delicious inspired by Juanita’s Cocina
Skillet Spinach Corn with Edamame, Cilantro & Bacon Bits by The Lovely Pantry inspired by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz

SundaySupper Desserts and Snacks:

Chocolate Brownie Tart by That Skinny Chick Can Bake inspired by Magnolia Days
Mexican Hot Cocoa Sandwich Cookies by Chocolate Moosey inspired by Juanita’s Cocina
Cinnamon Apple Chimichangas by La Cocina de Leslie inspired by Juanita’s Cocina
Apple Pull Apart Bread with Caramel Drizzle by Cravings of a Lunatic inspired by Gotta Get Baked
Cherry Tart by Happy Baking Days inspired by Vintage Kitchen
Orange Rolls by No One Likes Crumbley Cookies inspired by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Caramel Apple Bread by The Foodie Army Wife inspired by Fam Friends Food
Rosettes by Simply Gourmet inspired by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Pumpkin Donut Puffs by Soni’s Food inspired by Daily Dish Recipes
Chocolate Chip Cut-out Cookies by Basic and Delicious inspired by Chocolate Moosey
Nutella Shortbread Bars by Kelly Bakes inspired by Baker Street
Butterscotch Pudding Triple Chip Cookies by Mom’s Test Kitchen inspired by Dinner Dishes and Desserts
Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream by The Messy Baker Blog inspired by Cravings of a Lunatic
Coconut Cranberry Honey Nut Cookies by Mama’s Blissful Bites inspired by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Angel Cake Sandwiches by Ninja Baker inspired by That Skinny Girl Can Bake
Soft Pretzels with Spicy Beer Cheese Sauce by Vintage Kitchen inspired by girlichef
Sweet N Spicy Roasted Spiced Nuts by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz inspired by The Foodie Army Wife

Sunday Supper Breakfast Faves:

Spiced Pumpkin Ricotta Oat Muffins by In the Kitchen with Audrey inspired by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Budget Friendly Breakfast Freezable Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwiches by In the Kitchen with KP inspired by Big Bear’s Wife
Raspberry Hot Chocolate by My Catholic Kitchen inspired by Momma’s Meals

Sunday Supper Wine Pairings by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

An exciting to announce a New Addition: Tablescape by An Appealing Plan, Anniversay Dinner featuring Cheesecake with Fresh Berries orginally posted by The Messy Baker Blog

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the#SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat.

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