Bacon Blue Cheese Savory Cheesecake Kansas City Junior League Food

SAVORY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, egg white, and the bagel chips. Press them into the bottom of a 10-inch spring form pan. Bake for 8 minutes to crisp up. Remove from oven and cool. Reduce the heat to 250 degrees F.
• In a mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, blend the cream cheese, cornstarch, salt, and sour cream. Once combined, add the eggs. Fold in trout and chives. Pour the batter over the cooled crust. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and leave the cake in the oven for an additional hour without opening the door. Cool on a rack for at least 4 hours. Carefully unmold. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

SAVORY CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• For the crust: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom of four 4-inch springform pans with nonstick spray.
• Mix the cracker crumbs, butter and pecans in a medium bowl until evenly moistened. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pans. Bake until the crusts are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool the pans on a rack.
• Once completely cool, spray the sides of the pans with cooking spray and line with strips of parchment.
• For the Cheddar-pimento cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, Cheddar, pimentos, Worcestershire, hot sauce and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the candied bacon and scallion greens.
• For the blue cheese cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, blue cheese, cream and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in the dates and shallots. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the candied walnuts and a drizzle of honey.
• For the mozzarella-basil cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, cream and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in the chopped basil. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the cherry tomatoes, drizzles of balsamic syrup and olive oil and a sprig of basil.
• For the goat cheese-herb cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, goat cheese, cream, parsley, rosemary, lemon zest, Worcestershire to taste and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Spread the jam over top. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment.

BLEU CHEESE AND BACON BURGERS

Steps:

• For bleu cheese butter:
• In a small bowl with a fork, smash together butter and 2 tablespoons bleu cheese crumbles; set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, stir to combine ground beef, 1/3 cup bleu cheese crumbles, bacon pieces, and steak seasoning. Wet your hands to prevent sticking and shape into 4 patties slightly larger than the buns. Cover with plastic and set aside in refrigerator.
• Set up grill for direct cooking over high heat. Brush and oil grate before cooking. Salt and pepper burgers and place on hot grill. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium. Serve hot on toasted onion roll. Spread with bleu cheese butter, lettuce, tomato, onion, and sliced avocado, if using.
• INDOOR: Follow instructions for preparing burgers. Preheat broiler. Place burgers on wire rack over foil lined baking sheet or broiler pan. Broil 6 inches from heat source for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium.

BACON, BLUE CHEESE SAVORY CHEESECAKE KANSAS CITY JUNIOR LEAGUE

Steps:

• Sprinkle breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese in a buttered water-tight-8 inch round springform pan. Set aside.
• Combine cream cheese, eggs, and cream in mixer.
• Saute bacon until crisp; drain and chop finely.
• reserve 1 tablespoon drippings and saute onion until clear.
• Add onion, bacon, blue cheese, salt, pepper, and Tabasco to cream cheese mixture.
• Pour into a prepared pan. Set pan inside a larger one; pour boiling water 2 inches deep into larger pan.
• Bake 1 hour and 40 minutes at 300 degrees.
• Turn off oven and let "cake" set for 1 hour.
• Remove pan from water and cool 2 hours.

JUNIOR LEAGUE - CRAB CAKES WITH AVOCADO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the Avocado Sauce, combine the avocado, sour cream, cilantro, lemon juice, sugar, salt and pepper in a food processor. Process until smooth. Chill, covered, until serving time.
• For the crab cakes, reserve half the bell peppers and half the scallions for the garnish. Combine the remaining bell peppers, remaining scallions, cilantro, crab meat, salt, pepper, thyme and Tabasco sauce in a bowl and mix gently. Stir in the mayonnaise. Add the bread crumbs and toss lightly.
• Shape the mixture into 3 inch patties. Handle the mixture gently, as it should barely adhere. Sauté the crab cakes in a nonstick skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown on both sides.
• Puddle some of the Avocado Sauce in the center of each serving plate. Arrange 1 crab cake on each plate. Sprinkle with the reserved bell peppers and reserved scallions. Serve immediately.

SAVORY BLT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan. , In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Press onto the bottom of prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and cream until smooth. Beat in the bacon, tomatoes, Gruyere cheese, onions and pepper. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to larger pan. , Bake 45-55 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath; remove foil. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack 10 minutes; loosen edges from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight., Remove rim from pan. Serve cheesecake with toppings and crackers if desired.

BACON-BLUE CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spread each of 4 bread slices with 2 tablespoons onion jam. Top each with a quarter of the cheese, 1 1/2 slices bacon, and 1 slice bread.
• Melt 1 to 2 tablespoons butter on a griddle or in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add sandwiches in batches, and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 6 minutes total, flipping once and adding more butter as needed. Transfer to a baking sheet, and bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Cut in halves or quarters, and serve hot.

BLUE CHEESE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and butter; press onto the bottom of an ungreased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 350° until lightly browned, about 5 minutes., Place the cream cheese, blue cheese, spreadable cheese, sour cream, eggs, milk, sherry and pepper in a blender; cover and process until blended. Pour over crust. Place pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. , Bake until center is almost set, 50-55 minutes. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Refrigerate overnight. Serve with crackers.