Meatballs

4 slices bread, torn into small pieces
1/2 C. water
2 eggs
1lb ground meat, beef or pork
1.4 C. grated parmesan or romano cheese
2 TB. chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. oregano
dash pepper
tomato sauce of your choice for stewing (3-4 C. worth)

Soak bread in the water for 2-3 minutes.  In a separate bowl, blend together (traditionally using the Italian Knead) the eggs, ground meat, cheese, parsley, and spices.  Then mix in the bread.  Form into balls, then brown in oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat, then allow to stew for 15-30 minutes in the tomato sauce over medium-low heat.

Strawberry Glaze for Cheesecake

1 C. strawberries
1-1/2 TB. cornstarch
1/2 C. sugar
2 TB. Grand Marnier

Mash the strawberries.  Combine the strawberries, sugar, and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan.  Cook over medium heat until thick.  Add in liqueur.  Cover and chill.  Makes 3/4 cup.

Blueberry Glaze for Cheesecake

Blueberry Glaze for Cheesecake:
1/2 C. fresh blueberries
1/4 C. water
1/4 C. sugar
1/4 C. brandy
1-1/2 TB cornstarch
3 TB. water

Combine blueberries and 1/4 C. water in a heavy saucepan.  Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.  Sieve and return to saucepan.  Add sugar and brandy.  Cook over medium heat 10 minutes.  Dissolve cornstarch in 3 TB. water, mixing together until smooth.  Then add this into the blueberry mixture and cook until thickened.  Cover and chill.  Makes 1 C.

Easy Cheesecake

Cake
32 oz. of cream cheese, softened
6 eggs
8 oz. sour cream
4 tsp. vanilla
1-1/3C. + 6 TB. sugar

Crust
1-1/4 C. graham cracker crumbs
1/4 C. sugar
1/3 C. butter, melted

Cream together the cream cheese, 1-1/3 C. sugar, eggs, and 2 tsp. vanilla.  Pour all into a springform pan already prepared with the crust--or--a greased 3 quart oblong pan.  Bake a half an hour at 350F, then remove brieftly from oven, leaving the oven on.  While cake is out of oven, mix together the sour cream, remaining 2 tsp. vanilla, and 6 TB. sugar.  Spread this mixture over the top of the partially-baked cheesecake.  Replace the cheesecake in the oven and bake 15 minutes more.  Remove immediately and let cool until set, ideally overnight.

To make the crust: combine all crust ingredients, then press into the bottom and up the sides of a springform pan.  Bake at 325F for 5 minutes.  Let cool, then bake the cheesecake in it as directed above.

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I included the blueberry and strawberry glazes in separate posts.
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My great-aunt Kitty was a wonderful woman who graciously gave my mom this recipe when she was a new bride.