Lauras Fruit Topped Goat Cheese Cake Food

GOAT CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crust, put the flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Cut 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) of the butter into large dice, add to the bowl, and pulse until the butter is the size of peas. With the machine running, add the ice water all at once and process until the dough becomes crumbly. Don't overprocess. Dump the dough out on a floured board, gather it loosely into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Roll the dough on a well-floured board and fit it into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable sides, rolling the pin over the top to cut off the excess dough. Butter 1 side of a square of aluminum foil and fit it, butter side down, into the tart pan. Fill the foil with rice or beans. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the beans and foil from the tart shell, prick the bottom all over with a fork, and bake for another 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining tablespoon of butter in a small pan and saute the shallots over low heat for 5 minutes, or until tender. Place the goat cheese in the bowl of the food processor and process until crumbly. Add the cream, eggs, basil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the pepper and process until blended.
• Scatter the cooked shallots over the bottom of the tart shell. Pour the goat cheese mixture over the shallots to fill the shell (if the shell has shrunk, there may be leftover filling). Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the tart is firm when shaken and the top is lightly browned. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and serve hot or at room temperature.

LAURA'S FRUIT-TOPPED GOAT CHEESE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch round cake pan, and dust with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cheese with 3/4 cup sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until smooth. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time, incorporating each one completely before adding the next. Reduce to low speed, and add flour.
• In another bowl, using the whisk attachment, beat egg whites until stiff. Beat one third of the egg whites into cheese mixture. Gently fold in remaining egg whites. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack. Remove cake from pan, and return to wire rack until completely cooled.
• In a medium bowl, mix peaches and blueberries with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. (You may need more sugar, depending on the sweetness of the fruit.) Set aside.
• When ready to serve, invert the cake onto a serving plate. Dust with confectioners' sugar, and spoon the fruit over the cake, leaving a 1-inch border all the way around. Cut, and serve.

GOAT CHEESE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• To make the crust:
• Stir all of the ingredients together in a large bowl. Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Press the crumb mixture onto the bottom and about halfway up the sides of the pan.
• To make the filling:
• Beat the cream and goat cheeses in the bowl of an electric stand mixer with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the creme fraiche and beat to combine. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each egg is added, until thoroughly combined. Beat in the sugar and vanilla until just combined.
• Pour the filling into the prepared crust. Put on a baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through the cooking process. If the cheesecake starts to color, tent the springform pan with aluminum foil.
• Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely before serving, as it continues to set as it cools. It is best to refrigerate overnight before serving. Cut the cake into wedges and serve with Vanilla Pineapple Compote.
• Say cheesecake!
• Combine the brown sugar, water, rum, and vanilla beans in a saucepan over medium heat. Squeeze the lemon juice into the pan and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, add the pineapple and stir until well mixed. Simmer until the liquid has reduced to a syrupy consistency and the pineapple is soft.
• Let cool and serve as an accoutrement to yummy desserts like goat cheese cheesecake!