DESERTS: SEMIFINALISTEndorsement of friends helps select entryFor her entries in The Herald's ``What's Cookin' in Your World?'' recipe contest, Shirley Bowers-Donak picked recipes that her friends have borrowed the most.She entered the Main Dish/Casseroles, Eating Light and Desserts categories. Her Chocolate Marble Turtle Cheesecake earned her a spot as a semifinalist in the bakeoff. ``This is definitely not low-fat,'' she said of the rich, multi-layer creation of chocolate, caramel, cream cheese and pecans. The cheesecake and her other fare often are showcased at dinner parties she and her husband, James, give for their friends in their home at 200 Butterfly Lane, Hermitage. Italian entrees such as her stuffed shells and lasagna with her grandmother's sauce are a frequent request. In fact, after the Oct. 19 bakeoff she was heading home to cook up her Italian favorites for the 50th anniversary party of a friend's parents. Herb and flower gardening also are hobbies of Mrs. Bowers-Donak, who enjoys finding unusual flowers and perennials and often passes along starter plants to others. Some of her impatiens served as the garnish for her cheesecake at the bakeoff. She likes to peruse garage sales for decorating items, which she uses to help friends decorate their homes. ``My friends call me Martha Stewart,'' said the guidance counselor at West Middlesex High School. Chocolate Marble Turtle CheesecakeBase:1. Base: Mix until all of cake mix is moist. Bake in a greased 9-inch springform pan at 350 for 22 minutes. 2. Turtle: Melt caramels in evaporated milk on stove using medium heat. When completely melted, pour over base and layer with pecans. 3. Cheesecake: Mix all ingredients except chocolate. Take out 1 cup of mixture and add melted square of chocolate (melt in microwave). Pour vanilla cheesecake on top of turtle layer. Drop chocolate mixture by spoonful on top of vanilla mixture. Swirl with butter knife. 4. Bake at 450 for 10 minutes then reduce heat to 300 and bake for 30 to 60 minutes or until top starts to split. |
