Habanero Lime Cheesecake Food

KEY LIME CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, 2 tablespoons of the sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Mix well. Press the crust firmly over the bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan. Set aside.
• In a saucepan dissolve the gelatin the key lime juice, about 5 minutes. Add 1 1/4 cups of the sugar, eggs, egg yolks, and lime zest. Mix well. Over medium heat, cook until the mixture thickens and is pudding like, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until smooth. With the mixer running, add the lime mixture slowly and beat until smooth. Remove the mixture and turn into a bowl and cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, stirring every 10 minutes.
• In a bowl of an electric mixer with a whip attachment, place the egg whites, pinch of salt and remaining 1/4 cup of the sugar. Whip on medium high until stiff peaks form. Remove the lime and cheese mixture from the refrigerator. Fold the egg whites into the lime mixture and blend thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the prepared crust. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours.
• Remove from the refrigerator. Run a sharp knife along the sides of the pan and remove the spring-form. Spread the whipped cream evenly over the top of the cake.
• For the candied zest: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the simple syrup and the lime zest. Bring the liquid to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the zest from the liquid and cool on parchment paper.
• Cut the cake into individual servings. Garnish with candied lime zest and mint sprigs.

LAYERED LIME CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Whizz the biscuits to crumbs in a food processor, or tip into a food bag and crush with a rolling pin. Mix with the melted butter, then press into the base of a 20cm springform cake tin. Chill in the fridge until needed.
• Put the cream cheese, icing sugar and lime zest in a bowl, then beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Tip in the double cream and continue beating until completely combined. Spoon the cream mixture onto the biscuit base, working from the edges inwards and making sure that there are no air bubbles. Smooth the top of the cheesecake down with the back of a dessert spoon. Leave to set in the fridge while you make the glaze.
• Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water. Tip the other ingredients for the glaze into a saucepan with 200ml water. Cook gently until the sugar has dissolved and the syrup is simmering. Drain and squeeze the gelatine of any excess water, then stir into the hot syrup to dissolve. Leave everything to infuse until just warm, then sieve the syrup into a jug. When cooled, pour over the cheesecake and put in the fridge overnight to set. Carefully remove the cake from tin before serving.