COOKING WITH SUZI

by Suzi Castle

����������� We're all concerned with healthful eating, but none of us want to give up occasional treats, food that really tastes good.� We miss those rich-tasting desserts from the days when we weren't counting calories and fat grams.� Eating "healthy" doesn't have to mean depriving yourself of special treats, like the amazingly "lite" Cherry-Topped Cheesecake.� You will find it sinfully rich tasting, yet very low in fat and sugar-free.� It's a quick-to-fix dessert that the whole family will enjoy.

Cherry-topped Cheesecake

Crust:

1��������� cup low-fat graham cracker crumbs

3��������� tablespoons unsweetened peach or apricot jam

Cheesecake:

3��������������������� envelopes unflavored gelatin

1-1/2 �� cups water, divided

2��������������������� tablespoons vanilla extract

2��������������������� teaspoons almond extract

����������������������� Sugar substitute equal to 3/4 cup sugar (i.e., 18 packets Equal)

1��������������������� can (20 oz.) "lite" cherry pie filling or water-packed sweet cherries with juice

4��������������������� cups low-fat (2% fat) cottage cheese

Crust:

����������� In a food processor or blender, combine crumbs and jam. Pour mixture into a 9" springform pan sprayed with nonstick spray.� Using your fingers, press the crumbs into the bottom to form an even bottom layer.� Bake in a preheated 375 oven for ten minutes.� Cool crust.

Cheesecake:

����������� Mix gelatin with 3/4 cup water in a heat-proof glass measuring cup.� Let soften for two minutes.� Heat in a microwave oven for one minute, or until hot.� Stir to dissolve.� Add� 3/4 cup cool water, vanilla, almond extract and sugar substitute.� Mix 1/3 of gelatin mixture with cherries, then chill in refrigerator.� Mix remaining gelatin mixture with cottage cheese in a food processor or blender.� Pour the cheese mixture over the crust and refrigerate.� When the cheese mixture has begun to set up, but before the cherry mixture is firmly set, pour the cherry mixture over the cheese mixture.� Refrigerate for several hours before serving.� Serves 10.

����������� Per serving: 170 cal. (13% from fat); 15.4g protein; 2.43g fat (1.12g sat.); 22g carbohydrate; 425mg sodium; 7.2mg cholesterol; 0.88g fiber. Exchanges:� 2 lean meat, 2 bread, 2/3 fruit.

����������� Suzi Castle's �Deliciously Healthy Favorite Foods Cookbook� is available now in most bookstores or by sending $18.90 ($14.95 + $3.95 S&H) to Health Cookbooks, Dept. M, 3520 McCourry Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304.