Herb Roasted Pepper Cheesecake Food

RED PEPPER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Wrap the outside of the cheesecake pan with 2 layers of heavy-duty foil. Place the ricotta, cream cheese, and goat cheese in a food processor. Pulse to mix. Add the sugar, egg, and salt and pulse a few times until well mixed. Stir in the red pepper strips.
• Pour the cheese mixture into the cheesecake pan. Place the cheesecake pan in a roasting pan. Pour enough hot water in the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan. Bake until the cheesecake is golden at the edges and the center of the cake moves slightly when the pan is gently shaken, about 45 minutes (the cake will become firm when it is cold.)
• Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool for 1 hour. Refrigerate until the cheesecake is cold, at least 3 hours and up to 2 days.
• To make the pita chips, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cut the pitas into 8 triangles each (like a pie). Drizzle the pita with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until crisp and golden, about 12 to 15 minutes.
• To serve, combine the jam and the water in a small bowl and stir until the jam is liquefied. Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan. Place on a serving plate. Drizzle the jam mixture over the top of the cheesecake. Serve with the pita chips alongside.

RIB-EYE STEAK WITH HERB BUTTER AND CHARRED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Lay the steak flat on a board; tie kitchen twine tightly around the sides (including the bone) to help the steak keep its shape during cooking.
• Grind the mushrooms in a spice grinder or blender; transfer to a bowl and mix with the garlic, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/2 tablespoons rosemary, the red pepper flakes and 2 teaspoons salt. Cut 8 deep slits about 1 inch apart all over the steak; fill each slit with some of the mushroom mixture, then rub the rest all over the meat. Transfer the steak to a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 to 4 hours. Remove from the refrigerator about 1 hour before grilling.
• Meanwhile, combine the butter, scallions, parsley, the remaining 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 tablespoon rosemary, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Preheat a grill to medium high, then prepare for indirect heat: For gas, turn off the burners on one side. For charcoal, push the coals to one side. Brush the steak with the olive oil, then place on the cooler side of the grill (indirect heat). Cover and cook, turning occasionally, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 110 degrees F to 120 degrees F, 20 to 30 minutes. Move the steak to the hotter side of the grill (direct heat) and cook until the thermometer registers 125 degrees F, 2 to 3 more minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 15 minutes, spreading with some of the herb butter.
• Meanwhile, grill the peppers over direct heat, turning, brushing with the lemon juice and seasoning with salt, until charred, 8 to 10 minutes. Top the steak with more herb butter and serve with the peppers.

HERBED GOAT CHEESE AND ROASTED PEPPER TOASTS

Steps:

• Roast the pepper: Place the bell pepper directly over the open flame of a gas burner, under the broiler or on a hot, glowing charcoal grill. Let the skin of the pepper blacken and blister, using tongs to turn the pepper frequently. When completely blackened, after 5 to 8 minutes, transfer to a plate to cool.
• Using a paring knife, cut pepper in half lengthwise. Cut away seeds and stem and discard. Scrape away the skin and discard. Do not rinse. It's OK if a few bits of charred skin remain.
• Cut pepper halves into long strips about 1-inch wide. Season lightly with salt. (The pepper can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead of serving.)
• Marinate the goat cheese: Slice the goat cheese log into 10 pieces (each about 3/4-inch thick). Place pieces in a single layer on a plate and pour 1/4 cup oil over.
• Strip leaves from a few thyme sprigs and a rosemary sprig, roughly chop and sprinkle over the cheese. Finish with a bit of freshly ground black pepper, and a small pinch of red-pepper flakes. Cover and set aside. (This can also be done up to 24 hours ahead.)
• Set oven to 350 degrees. Cut the baguette on a diagonal into 10 slices, each about 1/4-inch thick. (If using ciabatta, cut into similar-size pieces.) Arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer, then place in oven for about 5 minutes, until bread is barely toasted.
• Remove from oven and carefully give each toast a light swipe with the garlic clove. Lay a strip of roasted pepper across each toast to cover. Place a goat cheese round in the center of each toast. Spoon the remaining olive oil from the plate generously over each piece of cheese and any exposed toast.
• To finish, return to the oven and bake, uncovered, until the bread is nicely browned and the cheese has gotten a bit of color, 8 to 10 minutes. Let toasts cool a bit, then arrange on a platter and serve. (They taste best at room temperature or just barely warm.) Toasts can be baked up to 1 hour ahead and popped in the oven to reheat slightly.

RED PEPPER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Wrap the outside of a 9" springform cheesecake pan with 2 layers of heavy-duty foil.
• Place the ricotta, cream cheese, and goat cheese in a food processor. Pulse to mix.
• Add the sugar, egg, and salt and pulse a few times until well mixed. Stir in the red pepper strips.
• Pour the cheese mixture into prepared cheesecake pan.
• Place the cheesecake in a roasting pan. Pour enough hot water in the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan.
• Bake until the cheesecake is golden at the edges and the center of the cake moves slightly when the pan is gently shaken, about 45 minutes(the cheesecake will become firm when it is cold.).
• Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool for 1 hour.
• Refrigerate until the cheesecake is cold, at least 3 hours and up to 2 days.
• To make the pita chips, cut the pitas in 8 triangles each(like a pie). Drizzle the pita with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. (This can be done with olive oil nonstick spray, as well).
• Bake until crisp and golden, about 12-15 minutes.
• To serve, combine the jam and the water in a small bowl and stir until the jam is liquefied.
• Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan.
• Place on a serving plate and drizzle the jam mixture over the top of cheesecake.
• Serve with the pita chips alongside.

ROASTED PEPPERS WITH GARLIC AND HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place peppers, cut side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Divide garlic among peppers. Sprinkle with oregano and season with salt and pepper. Roast until flesh is tender and skin is blistered in spots, 35 minutes. Transfer peppers to a platter and top with a small handful torn basil leaves.

CHEESE-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add peppers and cook uncovered for 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately immerse in ice water for several minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain and allow to cool.
• Meanwhile, heat 1/4 cup oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until slightly softened 3 to 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, ketchup, parsley, black pepper, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Allow to cool slightly. Mix in feta cheese and parsley.
• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Fill blanched peppers with feta mixture and place on a baking sheet. Brush stuffed peppers with olive oil.
• Broil peppers under the preheated broiler, turning frequently, about 15 minutes.