Recipe(tried): Valentine's Day Dinner - Meat Rub for Steaks, Sweetheart Chocolate Cheesecake

We got a fresh dusting of snow yesterday to make our Valentine's Day white. Our dinner menu was grilled New York strip steaks, sauteed mushrooms, green pepper slices, and onion slices, buttered corn, salad, garlic bread and for dessert, Sweetheart Chocolate Cheesecake.

MEAT RUB FOR STEAKS
Makes about 1/3 cup

2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2-1 teaspooon ground red pepper

Combine al ingredients. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Rub onto beef steaks before grilling or broiling.

SWEETHEART CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

For chocolate crumb crust:
1-1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (about 45 wafers)
6 tablespoons powdered sugar
6 tablespoons powdered unsweetened cocoa
6 tablespoons melted butter or margarine

For filling:
Three 8-oz packages cream cheese, softenend
1-1/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon flour
3 eggs

To prepare chocolate crust:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together wafer crumbs, powdered sugar, 6 tablespoons cocoa and the melted butter or margarine. Press mixture onto bottom and 1/2 to 1 inch up side of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 8 minutes. Cool slightly.

To make cheesecake:
Heat oven to 450 degrees. Beat cream cheese in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth. Beat in sour cream. Add cocoa and flour; beat until blended. Add eggs, beat just until blended. Pour batter into prepared crust. Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperatuer to 350 degrees. Continue baking for 40 minutes or until set. Remove from oven to wire rack. With knife, loosen cake from side of pan. Cool completely; remove side of pan. Cover; refigerate 4-6 hours. Just before serving, garnish with chocolate-covered strawberries or other topping, if desired. Cover; refrigerate leftover cheesecake.