New York Cheesecake Big Apple Bars

Have you ever wondered why New York City is called the Big Apple? According to History.com, stable hands first used the name in the early 1900s, referencing the city’s famous horse racing tracks. After a journalist adopted the nickname, jazz musicians applied it to their jazz clubs to indicate that their “Big Apple” jazz venues were as renowned as the “Big Apple” race tracks.

The term fell out of use until it was used during a tourism campaign in the 1970s. This time, the name stuck. Fifty years later, it’s still a common nickname for America’s most famous city.

In honor of the Big Apple, we’re bringing you a recipe for sweet and creamy New York Cheesecake Big Apple Bars! Be sure to tell us what you think after giving them a try!

New York Cheesecake Big Apple Bars
Ingredients:

Crust

• 1 cup Quick-Cooking Oats
• 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 2 cups packed Brown Sugar
• ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
• ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
• 2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
• 1½ cups Butter, melted

Cream Cheese Mixture

• 2 packages (16 ounces) Cream Cheese, room temperature
• 1 pkg. Simply Savory New York Cheesecake
• 2 Large Eggs, room temperature

Apple Mixture

• 4 large Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
• 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• Caramel Topping, for garnish.

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

Crust

1. In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.
2. Pour melted butter over the mixture and mix together until crumbly.
3. Measure out 2 cups of the mixture, and set aside to reserve for topping.
4. Pour the remaining mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Press firmly to the bottom of the pan.
5. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until a golden brown.

Cream Cheese Mixture

1. In a large bowl, add cream cheese and Simply Savory New York Cheesecake. Mix with a hand mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
2. With the mixer on low, add the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated into the mixture.
3. Set aside.

Apple Mixture

1. In a large bowl, combine apples, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Assembly

1. Arrange apples on top of the cooked crust.
2. Spread cream cheese mixture over the top of the apples.
3. Crumble the reserved oat mixture over the top.
4. Bake 40-45 minutes.
5. Let come to room temperature before serving.
6. Drizzle with caramel topping when you are ready to serve (optional).

Sicilian Goulash

Sicily has long been known for its delicious foods and bountiful crops. Prized for its wines, sun-ripened tomatoes, oils, seafood, and dishes, Sicily holds a culture that appreciates delicious food and fine cooking.

The island is considered an important piece of Mediterranean culture and this influence can be seen within its food as well. Pasta, basil, tomatoes — all inspire thoughts of Italy and the island that rests off its coast.

This pasta dish will burst with flavor and give your dinner a Mediterranean flair. We’ve included two recipe options below, one made in a slow cooker and the other on the stove! Delizioso!

Sicilian Goulash: Stove Top Recipe

Ingredients:

1 lb. Hamburger

1 (28 oz.) can of Canned Tomatoes

1 packet Simply Savory Taste of Sicily Dip Mix, unprepared

1 (24 oz.) jar of Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce

1 cup Sour Cream (optional)

1 lb. Pasta of your choice, prepared

Directions:

1. Brown hamburger, then drain the grease. 
2. Stir in tomatoes, marinara, and Taste of Sicily Mix. 
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring until spices are softened (about 10 to 15 minutes.) 
4. Mix in the hot,  prepared pasta just before serving. 
5. Serve sour cream on the side, to be added if desired.

Sicilian Goulash: Slow Cooker Recipe

Sicily has long been known for its delicious foods and bountiful crops. Prized for its wines, sun-ripened tomatoes, oils, seafood, and dishes, Sicily holds a culture that appreciates delicious food and fine cooking.

The island is considered an important piece of Mediterranean culture and this influence can be seen within its food as well. Pasta, basil, tomatoes — all inspire thoughts of Italy and the island that rests off its coast.

This slow-cooked pasta dish will burst with flavor and give your dinner a Mediterranean flair. Delizioso!

Ingredients:

2 lbs. Round Steak, cut into ½ inch cubes

2 tbs. Flour

1 (28 oz.) can of Canned Tomatoes

1 package Simply Savory Taste of Sicily Dip Mix, unprepared

1 (24 oz.) jar of Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce

1 cup Sour Cream

1 lb. Pasta of your choice, prepared

Directions:

1. Place steak cubes in a crock pot, add flour and mix until the cubes are coated.
2. Stir in canned tomatoes and dip mix.
3. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.
4. 30 minutes before serving, stir in marinara sauce and sour cream.
5. Mix in hot, prepared pasta just before serving.