Sunday, June 15, 2008

Better Than Sex

 

 

 

I read recently that anyone who says there's nothing better than sex is either a pervert or a liar. And despite what I write, I had to agree. I mean, really, there’s caramel, ice cream, and a little thing called chocolate for starters.

Okay, there are probably non-eating activities that are preferable too, but my mind naturally runs toward all things caloric. (I share that with my mystery heroine, Chrissy McMullen.) And although I’ll readily admit that I’m light years from being a gourmet cook, I do have a few recipes that, if prepared properly, could make you forget your own name.

However, warm weather makes me even less eager to cook than usual. Thinking our riding readers might feel the same, I thought I’d pass along one of my favorite, perfect-for-picnics-and-parties recipes.

I offer you:

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie:

1 baked pie crust
1 8 oz package of cream cheese
1¼ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon juice
1 quart strawberries
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon butter
whipped cream

Whip the cream cheese with ¼ cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 tsp lemon juice. Mix until smooth. Spread in the bottom of the pie crust. Saving ½ of the best strawberries for the top of the pie, use the rest of the berries for the center. After mashing them, stir in 1 cup of sugar, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon butter. Cook until thick, stirring constantly. Cool slightly, then pour over the cream cheese layer. After the pie has cooled for 2-3 hours top with whipped cream and remainder of berries.

So there it is…one of my childhood favorites. I’d love it if you’d share a beloved recipe of your own. I’m going to start something called Chrissy’s Corner on my website and will be listing some fun recipes, quotes, etc. If your recipe is chosen to be a Chrissy favorite I’ll send you a copy of my latest McMullen novel, Unmanned.

On the other hand, maybe you know something other than food that’s better than…you know what. I'm sure we'd all love to hear about it. Or…if you’re pretty sure there’s nothing better…let us know that too.