HCB: Coconut Cheesecake with Coconut Cookie Crust

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We have already established in this food blog that Tom’s favorite dessert is anything with fruit, or a crust (such as pie) and of course cheesecake. Because, he would pretty much sell his soul for anything in the cheesecake category.

So you can very well imagine his delight when I presented him with this week’s Heavenly Cake Baker choice.

I did toy with him for a bit.  I took out the coconut cream and the coconut flakes and set them on the kitchen island Friday night.  As he walked by and saw the ingredients on display, the following conversation ensued:

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Grilled Bratwursts with beer and caramelized onions

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Last weekend we celebrated Tom’s birthday by buying 2 charcoal grills, inviting about 20 friends and then grilling everything in our sight.

We grilled vegetables, corn on the cob, hamburgers, ribs and because I was brought up in the center of an Italian butcher family, we had to grill sausage. 

When I was younger and growing up in Venezuela, most major events in my family revolved around a “Parrillada” (BBQ).   My paternal side of the family owned a cattle ranch, and a “Parrillada” party was a huge affair with the family.  They would usually take place at “el rancho” (ranch) and pretty much consisted in a full day eating feast. Pigs, cattle and chickens were butchered, prepped and ready to fill the great big “parrillas” (grills) which were coal-heated hours before.  In some cases the whole animal was grilled, nothing was left to waste and while meat was favored, I loved the grilled sausages.

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TWD: Raisin Swirl Bread

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I'm afraid of bread making or specifically anything that uses yeast.

There I came clean.  Yep, using yeast scares me, maybe because I just don't feel comfortable with the whole poofing process and the kneading and if I have to take out the rolling pin and measure to get everything perfectly square or rectangular or round... I just break out in hives.

So of course when I saw the choice for Tuesday with Dorie, that Susan of Food.baby had chosen I said a little prayer and then had a bit doubts which turned into a full blown conversation with my bad-ass self telling me to get a grip and reminded me that "I did no join a baking club to sit and do the baking that I'm comfortable doing!" 

So of course I had to do this.  Be one with the yeast and conquer my fears.

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