Freeform Cheesecake Poured Over Fresh Fruit Food

CLASSIC CHEESECAKE WITH HOMEMADE FRUIT SAUCES

Steps:

• Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Break the graham crackers into pieces, then pulse in a food processor with the sugar until finely ground; drizzle in the melted butter and pulse to combine. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and about 1 inch up the side of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake until golden, about 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack and let cool completely. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
• Make the filling: Beat the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and slightly fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then beat in the lemon juice and vanilla.
• Pour the batter into the prepared crust. Transfer to the oven and bake until the edge is set but the center still jiggles slightly, 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. Turn off the oven and keep the cheesecake in the oven with the door ajar, 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and run a knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely, then refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Top with homemade fruit sauce (see below).
• Rasberry-Rose
• Combine 3 cups raspberries, 1 1/2 cups rose wine, 1 cup sugar, 1 strip orange zest, the juice of 1 orange, 2 teaspoons vanilla and a pinch of cinnamon in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, 30 to 40 minutes. Whisk 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water; whisk into the sauce until thickened, 3 minutes. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve, using a ladle to push it through. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate. (Makes 1 1/2 cups.)
• Honeydew-Avocado
• Puree 2 cups cubed honeydew melon, 1 small peeled and pitted avocado, 1/3 cup sugar and the juice of 1 lime until smooth. If the sauce is still lumpy, strain through a fine-mesh sieve, using a ladle to push it through. Cover and refrigerate. (Makes 1 3/4 cups.)
• Mango-Coconut
• Combine 2 cups coconut water and 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally; cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, 10 to 15 minutes. Add 2 chopped mangoes and cook until just tender, 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the juice of 1 lime and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Puree until smooth, then strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve, using a ladle to push it through. Let cool; cover and refrigerate. (Makes 1 3/4 cups.)
• Maple-Blueberry
• Combine 3 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup sugar, the juice of 1 lemon and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then lower the heat and simmer until reduced by half, 20 to 30 minutes. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve, using a ladle to push it through. Let cool; cover and refrigerate. (Makes 1 3/4 cups.)
• Strawberry-Rhubarb
• Toss 2 cups sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb, 1 pound quartered strawberries and 3/4 cup sugar in a saucepan; let sit until juicy, 20 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve, using a ladle to push it through. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate. (Makes 1 1/2 cups.)
• Apricot-Ginger
• Combine 1 cup dried apricots, 1/3 cup sugar, 3 thin slices ginger, 1 1/4 cups water, 1/2 cup cranberry juice and the juice of 2 lemons in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the apricots are very soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool; discard the ginger. Puree until smooth, then cover and refrigerate. Stir in up to 1/2 cup water if the sauce seems thick. (Makes 2 cups.)

FRESH CREAM CHEESECAKE WITH SUMMER BERRIES

Steps:

• For the cheesecake: Line a medium (about 8-inches wide) sieve, fine strainer or colander with a double layer of damp cheesecloth and set over a bowl.
• Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a hand-held mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add the sugar, lime zest and juice, and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl and beaters as needed.
• In another bowl, beat the cream just until it holds a stiff peak. Stir about 1/3 of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to lighten the cream cheese. Gradually fold in the remaining whipped cream to make a light mousse. Transfer mixture into the lined sieve and fold the cheesecloth over top and press gently. Cover and refrigerate to drain for at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
• Just before serving, prepare the berries: Cook about half of the blueberries in a small skillet with the water and sugar, over medium heat until the berries get juicy, about 8 minutes. Toss all the berries together in a large bowl, along with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
• Unwrap the cheesecake and invert onto a platter. (Discard the cheesecloth.) Use a large ladle or spoon to press a well in the center of the cake. Spoon the berries into the well and drizzle the juices over the top or serve on the side. Serve a scoop of summer cheesecake with some of the fresh berries.

PASSION FRUIT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the cheesecake: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Brush an 8-inch springform pan with a light coating of canola oil.
• Puree the mango and passion fruit juice in a food processor until smooth. Add the cream cheese and continue to process until smooth. Then add the sugar, yogurt, and cornstarch, pulsing to combine. Then add the eggs, lime zest and juice and pulse to combine. Take care not to overmix the batter. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake the cheesecake until the outside of the cake is set but the center is still a little loose, about 45 minutes. Turn the oven off and open the door to let out some heat. Close door and continue to cook the cheesecake in the residual heat in the oven for 20 minutes. This gentle finish minimizes the risk of the dreaded crack in your cheesecake.
• Run a knife around the edges and cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile make the topping: Put about half of the passion fruit juice and all the lime juice in a medium bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over the surface. Don't stir. Set aside until the gelatin "blooms", about 1 minute. Boil the remaining passion fruit juice and all of the sugar in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Whisk the hot juice into the gelatin mixture until smooth. Refrigerate until just begins to set, about 20 minutes. Stir in the fresh passion fruit pulp and seeds and pour over the top of the cooled cheesecake. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
• To make mango coulis: Puree the passion fruit juice, mango, lime juice, and sugar in a food processor.
• Bring cheesecake to room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Remove the springform ring. To serve, dip a knife in warm water, wipe dry before slicing each piece. Serve with mango coulis.

FRESH FRUIT CHEESECAKE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix the graham cracker crumbs,sugar and melted butter in a small bowl.
• In a pie dish, press the crumbs firmly to cover the bottom and sides.
• I use my hands.
• Bake the crust for 8 minutes; let cool.
• In a small saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin over water; let stand for 1 minute.
• Stir over low heat until completely dissolved, about 3 minutes.
• In a blender or food processor, process cheese, juices, sour cream, and sugar until completely blended and creamy.
• Continue processing, gradually adding gelatine mixture through feed cap.
• Pour into the waiting graham cracker crust; and chill for at least 3 hours.
• Just before serving, arrange the fruit on top of the pie in a decorative manner.
• Stand back and receive your applause.

FRUITY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325ºF.
• Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Combine wafer crumbs, butter and 3 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 min.
• Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and flour in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Blend in dry pudding mix. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 1 hour or until center is almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours. Use foil handles to transfer cheesecake to tray; discard foil. Spread cheesecake with COOL WHIP. Top with fruit just before serving.