Fried Ravioli

Ingredients:

• Olive oil , for frying
• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk plus 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar)
• 2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
• 1 box store-bought bite-size cheese ravioli (about 24 ravioli)
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 to 2 cups marinara sauce, heated, for dipping

Preparation:

1. Heat 2 inches of olive oil in a large frying pan over low-medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 275°.
2. While the oil is heating, put the buttermilk in one shallow dish and the seasoned breadcrumbs and some parmesan in another. Working in batches, dip the ravioli in the buttermilk to coat completely, allowing the excess buttermilk to drip back into the bowl. Dredge the ravioli in the bread crumbs. Place the ravioli on a baking sheet while you coat the remaining ravioli.
3. When you beleive the oil is ready, do a test with one ravioli. When the oil is proved ready, fry the ravioli a few at a time, turning occasionally, until light golden brown and thoroughly heated. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried ravioli to paper towels to drain.
4. Sprinkle the fried ravioli with Parmesan cheese and serve with a bowl of warmed marinara sauce for dipping.

Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Cheesecake with a Chocolate Chip Crust

Ingredients:

• Enough chocolate chip cookie dough for at least 1 dozen cookies
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1/2 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (21 ounce) can pie filling (cherry or strawberry were tasty)

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 9 baking pan
2. Place 12 1 tbsp balls of cookie dough evenly throughout the baking pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the cookie dough spreads to form a crust.
3. Beat cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, egg and vanilla extract in medium bowl until smooth. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust. Bake for additional 15 to 18 minutes or until set.
4. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Top with pie filling. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Cook Time: 1.75 hours
Serves: 9