With Louisiana setting records for COVID-19 hospitalizations and the reinstated mask mandate to help curb the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, these days we’re opting for a semi-self-lockdown. That plus the oppressive heat means we aren’t even going out on our daily walks with any regularity. All of this to say I’m looking for safe and cheap thrills at home. My yoga and meditation practices are on solid footing, the plants are flourishing and there’s not much left for me to decorate or redecorate, since I already did that during the last actual lockdown. So, I’m tinkering in the kitchen. My latest and most exciting creation is a cheesecake yogurt cup that has been my go-to snack or dessert the past week. Now, stay with me on this one. It is hubby approved, so don’t dismiss it because it sounds like health food. Here’s how to make it:
Melanie’s Boredom Busting Cheesecake Yogurt
Ingredients
- 4 heaping tablespoons whipped cream cheese
- 2 heaping tablespoons Greek yogurt (I prefer Fage 0% or 2%)
- 1 tablespoon lemon freshly squeezed lemon juice (this is the juice from about half a lemon)
- 1 teaspoon (or to taste) brown sugar or confectioners sugar. (I used Swerve plant-based sweetener in brown sugar but you could also use Swerve confectioners or opt for honey)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 to 10 crushed graham crackers, reserve 2 for garnish (I used Kodiak Cakes Chocolate Bear Bites)
- fresh fruit
- 2 dessert dishes, ramekins, champagne coupe, drinking glasses or coffee cups — whatever you have on hand that sounds fun or cute
Directions
Crush 6 or 8 graham crackers with your bare hands. Place half at the bottom of each cup or dish and set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, vanilla extract and sweetener or honey. Mix well, then add cream cheese and Greek yogurt and mix until all ingredients are well mixed and creamy. Spoon half of the mixture into each cup or dish, top with fresh fruit and garnish with a graham cracker. Serve immediately or let it chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours and eat later. Serves 2
(P.S. If you haven’t yet gotten vaccinated, click here for information and vaccination locations around the city. Stay safe, New Orleans.)
