Pumpkin Cheesecake and the Intimate Stranger

Although I have spent the last twenty years in South Florida, there are some things from my past in New Jersey that I will never forget! One of those things was my daily work commute from New Jersey to New York City!

The bus ride in the morning was fairly predictable, providing that you left early enough. However, getting back to Jersey in the evening was another story. There were always massive lines at the bus platform in Port Authority. If you were lucky, you would land a seat on an express bus. On those unlucky days, it was standing room only, and the local bus trudged along with stops in every little town!

The key to a successful ride was to land a seat with a working overhead light, and to become absorbed in some good reading material! On those chilly winter evenings, the warm bus could actually become welcoming and comfortable. Unfortunately, sometimes it was a little too comfortable!

One brisk night, I caught the last express bus out of the city. Conducting my usual routine, I grabbed a good window seat, and settled in for the ride home. Glancing up, I noticed a somewhat robust man eyeing the seat next to me. The man side-stepped down the aisle, and plopped down beside me. He also immediately confiscated the arm rest I was using!

I pushed myself a little closer to the window, in an attempt to set some boundaries. I'm a very small framed woman, so it was easy to create some space. The bus started rolling, and within the first 3 minutes, we were enveloped in the darkness of the Lincoln Tunnel. Our cozy bus twinkled inside with the little dots of overhead lights, and we quietly drove through the tunnel.

I was relaxed and content reading my book, when suddenly the unthinkable occurred. The head, which was attached to the man sitting next to me, banged into my right shoulder. I slowly turned to look at my snoozing seat mate when BAM, his head bobbed down onto my shoulder again. I wasn't sure what to do...I couldn't move any closer to the window, so I just froze in my seat. Once again, his head hit the same arm muscle...only this time, IT DIDN'T BOUNCE BACK TO HIS SIDE!!!! Instead, the stranger's head was nestled onto my shoulder.

I started praying, "Hail Mary, full of grace, please move this man from my space!" My prayers were not answered. In fact, it backfired! To my complete mortification, the stranger started to snore! At first, it was more like quiet deep breathing. But soon, he began systematically gulping in loud breaths of air through his open mouth and blaring nostrils. Although I braced myself for every loud snort, I jumped, startled each time he let out that unbearable sound!

When it was finally time for me to depart the ride from hell, I nudged the sleeping passenger, who barely allowed me to climb over him. Before I stepped out into the cold, I glanced back at my intimate stranger. He was looking at me, and smiled, somewhat acknowledging that I was responsible for his really good nap!

Thankfully, I drive to work now. I control the air conditioning, the music playing, and most of all, my personal seat space! But I will never forget my New York commute, and commend those who have continued commuting all these years!

In honor of those squished, mortified commuters, here are two festive recipes for you to gain some weight, and claim your space on the bus! The first, homemade Manicotti, was passed down to Mama Melisi from her grandmother, 55 years ago! In turn, Mama Melisi showed her mother-in-law how to make it, and it became a special menu item for the family.

The second is a spectacular holiday dessert, Pumpkin Cheesecake! Again, both recipes are offered to you with love!

From Mama Melisi and Me

Manicotti

Batter Ingredients:

6 extra large eggs (well beaten)
1 full cup flour
1 1/2 cups milk
Mix all of the above ingredients

Filling Ingredients:

3 lb container ricotta (skim or whole milk)
3 extra large eggs (well beaten)
1/2 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan or Locatelli grating cheese
1 tsp black pepper
2 tablespoons parsley (dry or fresh)
Mix all of the ingredients well for the filling

Preparation:

Use a 6 " Teflon saute pan to make the shells
Spray the pan with pam or lightly oil the pan
Heat the pan and test with a small drop of batter
If the pan is ready, (batter doesn't stick) use a medium size ladle and spoon enough batter into the pan to cover the bottom
You can tip the pan a bit
Once the edges appear cooked, flip this crepe and cook the other side (It just takes minutes)
Have a sheet of waxed paper ready and place the crepe on this
Continue making the crepes in the same manner
Layer sheets of waxed paper in between the crepes

When all crepes are made, spoon filling into each one
Cover the bottom of each crepe with the filling and fold one side over the other
(It looks like a filled crepe)

Refer to Blog Post # 1 for Marinara Sauce recipe
Put sauce on the bottom of a baking dish and place each manicotti in the pan
Spoon sauce over the top (do not drown in sauce - you do not want to lose flavor of crepe
and cheese

Bake uncovered in a preheated oven of 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients for Crust:

2 cups gingersnap crumbs (can use Graham Cracker crumbs if you prefer)
4 teaspoons butter spread melted
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Ingredients for Filling:

3 (8 ounce) packages reduced fat cream cheese or Neufchatel Cheese (This is great)
1 16 ounce (or 15 ounce) can solid packed pumpkin
1 cup well packed brown sugar
2 eggs beaten
2/3 cup evaporated reduced fat milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Maple Pecan Topping:

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter spread melted

Preparation of Crust:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine crumbs and melted butter spread
Press firmly onto bottom and about 1 1/2 inches up the side of a 9 inch springform pan
Sprinkle pecans over bottom
Bake for 5-7 minutes
Crust will not be brown
Remove from oven and set aside to cool

Preparation of Filling:

With an electric hand mixer or your mix master, beat the cream cheese, pumpkin and brown sugar until creamy
Add remaining ingredients and combine well
Pour into the crust and bake in the center of the oven 45-50 minutes, until filling is firm

Preparation of Pecan Topping:

Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and spread evenly over the surface of the cheesecake
Bake an additional 5-10 minutes until the topping begins to brown and bubble
Remove from oven and cool

Enjoy!