Gorgonzola Cheesecake Food

GORGONZOLA CHEESECAKE WITH TOASTED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°. Line outside of springform pan, 9x3 inches with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Spray inside of pan with cooking spray; sprinkle ground walnuts over bottom.
• Beat cream cheese in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add eggs; beat just until smooth. Stir in sour cream, cheese and pepper just until blended. Spoon evenly over walnuts in pan.
• Place springform in large roasting pan; pour hot water into roasting pan until one-fourth full. Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove cheesecake from roasting pan. Run knife around edge of cheesecake to loosen. Cool completely at room temperature, about 2 hours. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 48 hours. Remove side of pan. Garnish with toasted walnuts. Cut into wedges. Serve with crackers.

SAVORY GORGONZOLA CHEESECAKE BITES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325ºF.
• Melt 3 Tbsp. butter; mix with cracker crumbs. Spoon into 24 paper-lined mini muffin cups, adding about 1 tsp. to each.
• Beat cream cheese, 1/3 cup Gorgonzola cheese and whipping cream in medium bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing after each just until blended. Spoon into prepared muffin cups, adding about 1 Tbsp. to each.
• Bake 15 min. or until centers are almost set. Cool cheesecakes in pans 10 min. Remove from pans to wire racks; cool completely. Refrigerate cheesecakes 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, cover baking sheet with foil. Cook sugar and remaining butter in small saucepan on medium heat until butter is melted. Add nuts; cook 5 to 7 min. or until nuts are lightly browned and evenly glazed, stirring constantly. Spread into single layer on prepared baking sheet; cool completely.
• Top cheesecakes with remaining gorgonzola cheese and candied nuts just before serving.

GORGONZOLA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Butter bottom and sides of 9-inch springform pan. Set aside. Beat cream cheese and Gorgonzola cheese in large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in 1 cup sour cream. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake 60-65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes. Carefully spread remaining 1 1/2 cups sour cream over top of cheesecake. Return to oven 5 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack. Refrigerate 12 to 24 hours. To serve, place on serving plate. Carefully remove rim of pan, leaving cake on bottom. Using a pepper mill, grind pepper over top of cake. Top with strawberries. Chef suggests serving with or on crusty bread.