Grammy Shmammy Frammy and Mini Nutella Cheesecakes!

It wouldn't be fitting for The Rockin' Foodie to not touch base on the eve of the music's biggest night - or perhaps the music business' biggest night - THE GRAMMYS.

Say what you will about the this huge commercial spectacle, I support Bono's thought below about the Grammys:

"It was all there: anger, love, forgiveness, family, community and the deepest sense of history... Here was the full power of American music challenging my arrogance. I watched the rest of the show with new eyes. The Grammys invited jazz, country, rock, soul, and classical into the same hall. No regard for demographic studies of what would deliver ratings, no radio call-out research—a mad amalgam of the profound and the absurd and the creeping realisation that one man's Mozart is another man's Vegas."

Let's keep this simple and dive into Z's fav Grammy 2011 nominees and follow it up with a gorgeous Grammy party dessert.  

I have featured several Grammy nominees in 2010 in previous blogs - Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" except I featured the potty mouth version (8/27), Katy Perry's California Gurls (8/18), Broken Bells (12/29), and Vampire Weekend (9/26).  I still dig these songs and artists, but will highlight some different ones to keep things fresh.

In the "Over the Top Pop" Category (I am making up my own categories):  Lady GaGa featuring Beyonce TELEPHONE.  I freaking love this song - Every chick has felt like this at some point in her life - "Dude stop calling me - I am out without you, and thus will call you when I am no longer out.  Go do something else that does not involve calling, texting, or facebooking me. xoxo."



In the "Fashionable Rock" Category: The Black Keys TIGHTEN UP.  It took me a minute to jump on the BK band wagon, but now am on it, and BK I am Howlin' for You!



In the "Sensitive Indie Rock Darlings" Category: Arcade Fire READY TO START.  I am so glad that the Grammys are recognizing these guys because they are just good and honest.



In the "Why Doesn't My BF Write This About Me" Urban Category: Bruno Mars JUST THE WAY YOU ARE and B.o.B Featuring Bruno Mars NOTHIN' ON YOU.  Umm - Y'all this know this isn't classically my genre, but these two songs are SEXY. Enough Said.





And now FOOD TIME!  Full and fair disclosure: I have not actually made this recipe yet, but plan to imminently and will post pics and additional tips when I do.  And if one of you makes it before me, please let me know how it is.  I found this recipe as part of the "Petit Chef" food blog community (note the icon on the left side bar) and it sounded so good, simple, and festive for a Grammy Party!  And  as most of you know, I love all things CHEESE and can eat Nutella (hazelnut chocolate spread) by the spoonful - hence its destiny.

MINI NUTELLA CHEESECAKES (Serves 8)

Here is what you need:

-2 (8 oz) bars of softened cream cheese

-2 eggs
-3/4 cup sugar
-1/4 cup Nutella
-36 Nilla Wafers
-Red Food Color, optional  (I don't plan to use food color, but could be a nice touch for Valentine's Day)

Here is what you do:

Pre-heat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl combine the eggs and sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in the Nutella and beat until combined. Add in the Cream Cheese and mix until combined. Pour in the food color; about 8 drops, and mix. (optional).  Prepare the cupcake pan with mini paper baking cups.Add one Nilla wafer into each cup. Pour the cheese mixture into each liner to 3/4 full. Bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool for some time before serving. I would likely refrigerate it overnight or at least a couple hours.

Here is the cheezy picture from the website - Happy Valentine's Day I guess...

For those who choose to watch the Grammys - Enjoy the Show! 

For those who don't - Happy Sunday!

Hugs and Kisses.