CrÈme FraÎche Cheesecake With Sour Cherries Food

CREME FRAICHE CHEESECAKE WITH SOUR CHERRY TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F; wrap the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with aluminum foil and place pan on a baking sheet.
• Beat the cream cheese and goat cheese until smooth; add sugar and continue to beat until sugar is incorporated.
• Beat in creme fraiche, vanilla, and pepper; beat in eggs, one at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl between each addition.
• Pour mixture into prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes; reduce temperature to 250 degrees F and bake until just set, 45 to 60 minutes (cake will jiggle in the middle).
• Transfer to wire rack to cool.
• Prepare the cherries while the cake is cooling by heating a saucepan over medium heat; add sugar and 2/3 cup water and cook until sugar dissolves and syrup thickens, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add in the cherries and balsamic vinegar, stirring occasionally, until cherries soften and release their juices, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove cherries to a bowl with a slotted spoon and continue to cook liquid until reduced by half, about 10 minutes; remove from heat and return cherries and any accumulated juices.
• Loosen the cake by running a knife around the edge, then unmold; serve with cherry topping.

CREME FRAICHE CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• To make the crust: In a food processor grind the walnuts and sugar together. Stir in the melted butter, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, and up to 4 days. Using your fingers pack 1 1/2 teaspoons of mixture into small rings or collars 1 1/2 inches in diameter by 2 inches high. Bake for 7 minutes. Let cool slightly before adding filling.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
• To make the filling: In an electric mixer, with a whip attachment cream the cream cheese. Mix in the remaining ingredients in order. Pour into baked crust lined collars filling to about 3/8 inch from the top. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until slightly puffed and barely shimmying in the center. Remove from oven and let cool a few minutes if puffed to make room for the creme fraiche topping.
• To make the topping: Blend all ingredients and place 1 tablespoon on top of the each mini cheesecake. With a small off-set spatula or a teaspoon, ease the topping to coat evenly. It will level itself out during baking. Bake at 300 degrees F for 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature, then cover and chill at least 4 hours or up to 2 days. To serve, warm the rings and slip the cheesecakes out of them.

PORT CHERRY TOPPING FOR CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Combine port, 1/2 cup sugar, cherries, and vanilla in a large saucepan; bring to a boil.
• Cook 5 minutes or until cherries are thawed and mixture is syrupy.
• Combine juice, cornstarch, and 4 teaspoons water, stirring with a whisk until well blended.
• Stir cornstarch mixture into cherry mixture, bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 3 minutes or until mixture is slightly thickened and shiny.
• Remove from heat; cool to room temperature.
• Cover and chill.
• Serve over cheesecake.