Greek Cheesecake Savoury Food

GREEK CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Unroll pie crust; cut into 8-inch square. Discard trimmings. Place in 8-inch square baking dish. Bake 10 min. or until lightly browned. Meanwhile, beat eggs, sugar and flour with mixer until light and fluffy. Blend in yogurt. Add Neufchatel, honey and 1 tsp. cinnamon; mix well.
• Pour over crust; sprinkle with remaining cinnamon.
• Bake 45 to 50 min. or until center is set.

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.

GREEK YOGURT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Wrap the bottom and sides of the pan with a large piece of foil and place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet. Put the pita chips into a food processor and pulse until fine. Add the butter and process until the crumbs are moistened. Press the crumbs into the bottom and about 1/2 inch up the sides of the prepared pan. Bake until the crust is slightly dry in appearance and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Cool completely.
• Meanwhile, combine the yogurt, cream cheese, eggs, sugar, flour, vanilla, lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor and process until well blended and smooth. Pour over the prepared crust and bake until the center is just set, 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack, then cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Meanwhile, put the blueberries and pineapple juice in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Sprinkle the gelatin over 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl and let stand 5 minutes. Stir the dissolved gelatin into the hot blueberry mixture until combined. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl, cover and chill until thickened, about 3 hours.
• After chilling the cheesecake, remove the springform ring. Slice and serve, topped with the blueberry sauce. If the sauce is too thick, rewarm it in the microwave for 20 seconds at a time before spooning over the cheesecake.

GREEK CHEESECAKE (SAVOURY)

Steps:

• For crust, mix walnuts, zwieback, and butter.
• Press onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• For filling, in a large bowl beat feta and ricotta cheeses with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined.
• Add eggs all at once, beating on low speed until just combined.
• Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, chopped olives, minced garlic, herbs, pepper, and salt with a spoon.
• Pour filling into the springform pan, and place on a larger shallow baking pan.
• Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until the center appears nearly set when shaken.
• Cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack.
• Run a spatula around inside of the pan.
• Cool for 30 minutes more.
• Remove side of pan.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.
• At serving time, garnish cheesecake with fresh oregano.
• This can be made up to 3 days ahead of serving.
• Bring to room temperature (or close to it).
• Cut into thin slices and serve alongside a leafy, green salad (various baby lettuces would be good) that has been dressed lightly with a vinaigrette.