Cheesecake with Cranberry Relish

CHEESECAKE

Crust

2 cups graham cracker crumbs 4 tablespoons sugar 1/4 pound butter, soften

Filling

2 pounds cream cheese 1 cup sugar 4 eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Topping

1 pint sour cream 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon lemon rind Combine dry ingredients. Stir-in butter, use hands. Consistency should be some what dry and flaky, yet will stick together if pressed. Form crust to bottom and sides of 11 inch spring pan. Using an electric mixer combine first four ingredients. Whip until very smooth. Mix in lemon juice. Add to the pan with the formed crust. Bake 40 minutes at 350°.

Remove from oven and let cool 20 minutes. Turn oven up to 475°. Combine all ingredients, Mix until smooth. Pour on top of cake, bake for 15-20 minutes at 475°. Let cool before refrigerating.

CRANBERRY RELISH

1 quart fresh cranberries 1/2 cup water 12 whole allspice 2 sticks cinnamon, broken 1 cup brown sugar Orange rind for garnish Place the berries in a covered pot. Add the water. Tie the whole spices in a little cheesecloth bag and place in pot. Cover and simmer until fruit is soft and broken, about 25 minutes. Remove the spice bag and discard. Run the berries through a food processor or press through a colander and return to the pan. Stir in the sugar over medium heat until dissolved. Cool before serving. Spoon on top of cheese cake.

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Keep the tree in a cool shady place like the garage or porch until ready to bring indoors and decorate. Saw a thin disk (1/4 inch) off the trunk prior to placing the tree in a water holding stand. Make a cut perpendicular to the axis of the stem, NOT at angles or a v-shaped cut. Make sure to place the tree in its water holding stand within 4-6 hours after making a cut to the trunk. our stand must be able to hold enough water for the size of the tree. A good rule-of-thumb is one-quart capacity for every inch of diameter of the trunk. Water temperature makes no difference. There are a number of water additive products on the market. These products are not required to maintain a healthy tree but can be very helpful. Consult your local farm or nursery for advice. The most important thing is to maintain an adequate water level. Check water levels often in the first few days. A tree will absorb the most water after it is recently cut and placed in water. Make sure the tree is displayed in a place away from heat sources (fireplaces, tv sets and computers) and draft sources. Always check electrical devises (lights and other decorations) BEFORE placing on the tree. Unless required by local law, avoid spraying preservatives or fire retardants on the foliage of the tree. Some of these commercially available products actually increase the rate of moisture loss from a tree and can change the appearance of the tree. The most fire-retardant tree is one that is properly watered and cared for. Fresh Christmas trees do not cause fires.