Cooking With Cream Cheese

First created in the United Stated in the late 1800s, cream cheese has come to be a popular dairy food throughout North American and other parts of the world. Cream cheese with its rich taste and soft creamy texture is a rather versatile ingredient and it can be used for making everything from appetizers to casseroles to sweet desserts.

When cooking with cream cheese keep in mind eight ounces equals one cup while a three ounce block is about six tablespoons. Most recipes will call for softened cream cheese whether by putting it in the microwave or allowing it sit at room temperature. Room climatic characteristic cream cheese will be needed for making any type of cheesecake to accomplish smooth and creamy results.

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

For most recipes, you can substitute Neufchatel cheese for commonplace cream cheese. Neufchatel cheese is the French version of the American cheese also made from cow's milk but unripened and containing emulsifiers which help to lengthen shelf life.

Although there are several varieties of cream cheese ready flavored with fruits or seasonings you can as a matter of fact make your own by adding your popular fruit jellies or herbs. There are also low and non-fat versions of cream cheese any way because of the lower fat article they will not melt as well.

For making a quick and easy party dip mix together a jar of salsa and a holder of cream cheese then serve with crackers or cut vegetables.

Banana Pistachio Pie Recipe

What You Need

Nonstick cooking spray 1/2 cup vegetable shortening 7 cups granulated sugar 2 eggs 2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 5 ripe bananas, mashed 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups pistachio nuts, finely chopped, divided 5 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips, melted 8 ounce holder cream cheese, softened 5 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

How to Make It

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lightly coat the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate with the nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the vegetable shortening and the granulated sugar using an galvanic mixer until the combination is light and fluffy.

Add the eggs to the combination and beat well.

Gradually add in the flour followed by the baking soda and salt.

Add in the mashed bananas with the vanilla citation and beat the combination until smooth.

Add in 1 cup of the chopped pistachio nuts then spread the combination into the coated pie plate.

Bake the pie for 20 minutes or until done. You can as a matter of fact check for doneness by inserting a wooden toothpick into the center, if it comes out clean the pie is done, otherwise bake for someone else 5 to 7 minutes.

Allow the pie to cool on the countertop for 30 minutes.

Heat the chocolate chips in the microwave until all are melted.

In someone else mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until the combination is fluffy. Spread the combination evenly around the pie and then drizzle the melted chocolate on top.

Sprinkle the remaining cup of chopped nuts on top of the banana pistachio pie and serve.

Serves 4.

Cooking With Cream Cheese

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS