Mini Savory Cheesecakes On Arugula Or Butterhead Lettuce Food

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.

MINI SAVORY CHEESECAKES ON ARUGULA OR BUTTERHEAD LETTUCE

Steps:

• For the mini cheesecakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously coat four small (3/4-cup) soufflé molds with the butter. Divide the bread crumbs among the molds and coat the bottoms and sides heavily with the crumbs, pressing them onto the buttered dish so they stick.
• Put the cream cheese in a medium bowl and add the eggs, sour cream, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of the parsley. Mix well with a whisk and divide among the soufflé molds. Sprinkle the crumbled blue cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture in the molds. Top with the remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.
• Arrange the molds on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes. The cheesecakes will still be slightly wet and soft in the center. Let cool for 10 minutes before unmolding.
• For the salad: Meanwhile, toss the lettuce leaves with the oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper. Arrange on four plates.
• Invert each cooled mini cheesecake into one of your hands to unmold it, then turn it over so it is right side up and place it in the center of one of the plates on top of the lettuce. Serve immediately.

SAVORY BREAKFAST MINI CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray 24 muffin tin cups with cooking spray or use paper liners.
• Mix bread crumbs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and melted butter together in a small bowl. Spoon about 1 teaspoon mixture into each of the prepared muffin cups, pressing down.
• Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer in a large bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time until combined. Stir in Gruyere cheese, half-and-half, ham, bacon, bell pepper, green onions, salt, and pepper. Pour about 1/4 cup of the mixture into each muffin cup, filling each about 3/4 full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheesecakes are firm to the touch and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool in muffin tins for 10 minutes.

SAVOURY MINI CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300ºF.
• Spray 3 miniature muffin trays with nonstick cooking spray.
• Process pretzels in food processor until very fine (consistency of dry bread crumbs). You should have ¾ cup crumbs. Mix with melted butter.
• Press 1 into bottom of each muffin cup. Bake in centre of preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until set.
• Beat cream cheese to blend.
• Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until smooth. Beat in flour, pepper and sour cream.
• Divide mixture into 2 bowls.
• Stir ingredients for salmon filling into 1 bowl and Sun-dried Tomato and Olive filling into the other. Mix well. Spoon about 1 tbsp filling over each tart base. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or just until filling is set. Cool to room temperature on wire rack, then cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Run knife around edge of each cheesecake to loosen. Garnish with fresh dill or basil leaf before serving.