Biite

MINI BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKES

INGREDIENTS
CRUST:
▢4 full sheets of graham crackers
▢1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
▢2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
CHEESECAKE FILLING:
▢1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
▢1/2 cup white granulated sugar
▢1/2 tablespoon white all-purpose flour
▢1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢1 large egg
▢1 large lemon (1/2 tablespoon lemon zest and 2 tablespoons lemon juice)
TOPPING:
▢6 tablespoons blueberry jam, separated
▢1/2 pint fresh blueberries
▢Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
US - Metric

INSTRUCTIONS
Crust:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a regular-sized muffin tin with 9 liners and fill up half of the other empty spaces with water. (This ensures even baking.)
In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers to crumbs; make sure there are no large pieces. Stir in the 1 tablespoon sugar and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Press an even amount of graham cracker crust into the bottom of each muffin liner.
Press down the crusts firmly with a milk cap or the backside of a tablespoon measuring spoon and set aside.
Filling:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the 8 ounces package of room-temperature (Note 1) cream cheese and 1/2 cup white sugar. Beat at low and even speeds (in the same direction) until smooth and creamy. Add in the 1/2 tablespoon flour, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest. Beat at low and even speeds until combined and smooth.
Spoon the cheesecake filling evenly between the 9 cups and bake for 23-27 minutes. The centers will still jiggle a little bit, but the edges should be set.
Remove from the oven and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes and then transfer to the fridge and let cool for at least 2 hours. The centers will sink in a little. (This is for the jam filling!)
Topping:
Once the cheesecakes have been cooled for 2 hours in the fridge, place 4 and ½ tablespoons of blueberry jam in a small bowl and microwave for 10-15 seconds. Spoon ½ tablespoon of jam on top of each cheesecake and spread to cover the top.
Immediately top with fresh blueberries -- about 4-6 per cheesecake, depending on their size.
Place the last 1 and ½ tablespoon of jam in the same small bowl and microwave for 10-15 seconds. Using a pastry brush, brush the tops of all of the fresh blueberries with the jam. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top if desired.

Caprese Bites

-This is the quickest and most successful Christmas appetizer. Balsamic glaze is the only ingredient that needs to be cooked; however, if you prefer a completely hands-off version, feel free to use a store-bought glaze.

Ingredients:

8 oz. mozzarella balls
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
kosher salt
24 cherry tomatoes
12 fresh basil leaves
1 c. balsamic vinegar

Directions:

-In a small bowl, stir together mozzarella, olive oil, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and season with salt. Set aside.

-Assemble skewers: Layer a cherry tomato, basil leaf, marinated mozzarella ball, and another cherry tomato. Place on your serving platter.

-Make balsamic glaze: In a small saucepan or skillet, bring balsamic vinegar to a low simmer. Let thicken until syrupy, 15 minutes. Set aside to cool and thicken.

-Drizzle skewers with balsamic glaze and serve.

Watermelon Feta Skewers

-One of our all-time favorite pairings is watermelon and feta, especially in the summer. A quick, wholesome summer appetizer that everyone will enjoy is to skewer them with some crunchy cucumber and apply balsamic sauce on top. P.S. : For our watermelon feta salad, we simply tossed everything together in a dish rather than skewering it.

Ingredients:

1 medium watermelon, cut into 1" cubes
1 bunch basil leaves
1/2 medium red onion, diced large
12 oz. block of feta, cut into 1" cubes
1 hothouse cucumber, cut into half moons
Balsamic glaze, for drizzling

Directions:

-Assemble skewers by layering watermelon, basil, red onion, feta, and cucumber. Place skewers onto a serving platter.

-Drizzle all over with balsamic glaze.