Orange Scented Baked Ricotta Cheesecake Food

RICOTTA-ORANGE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325°F. Wrap foil around the bottom of the springfoam pan. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and keep hot until needed. Spoon the ricotta into a mesh strainer over a large bowl until well strained.
• Brush a little of the melted butter on the inside of the springform pan. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, remaining melted butter, ¼ cup of the granulated sugar and ¼ teaspoon salt. Firmly press the mixture into the pan, on the bottom and all the way up the sides. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Set the pan on a rack to cool. Raise the oven temperature to 350°F.
• Beat the ricotta, remaining 1 cup granulated sugar, vanilla, almond extract and orange zest in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed until combined. Add the eggs until just combined, taking care not to overwork the mixture. Pour the mixture into the cooled crust and place the springfoam pan in a deep roasting pan. Place the roasting pan on the center oven rack and carefully pour the hot water into the roasting pan until it reaches about halfway up the springform pan. Bake until just set and very lightly browned, for 1 hour and 35 minutes. The filling will appear puffed around the edges and should still be slightly jiggly in the center. Carefully remove the roasting pan from the oven and immediately transfer the cheesecake to a rack to cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Just before unlocking the springform ring, run a knife along the inside of the pan. Carefully lift the ring off.
• Whisk the cream and confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Using a vegetable peeler, shave curls from the chocolate bar onto a plate and reserve for decorating.
• At least thirty minutes before serving, run a knife along the inside of the pan to loosen the cheesecake and carefully lift the ring off. Allow it to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Spoon the whipped cream over the top and sprinkle with chocolate curls.

ORANGE RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Position an oven rack to the bottom third of the oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Spread the pistachios out on a baking sheet and bake until golden and toasted, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a heat-safe plate to cool, then pulse them in a food processor until very finely ground. Transfer the ground pistachios to a small bowl and set aside.
• Set a 9-inch springform pan on top of a piece of parchment paper and trace a circle around it. Cut out the circle and set aside. Generously grease the bottom and sides of the pan with the room temperature butter, then press the parchment circle into the bottom of the pan.
• Put the ricotta and 2/3 cup sugar in the bowl of food processor and process until the mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds. Transfer the ricotta mixture to a large bowl and whisk in the eggs yolks, orange zest and juice and the vanilla.
• In another large bowl, add the egg whites and whip using an electric mixer on medium-high speed until the eggs become foamy. Sprinkle in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and continue to whip the egg whites until medium peaks form, about 2 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to fold 1/3 of the beaten whites into the ricotta mixture until just incorporated and a few white streaks remain. Gently fold in the remaining whipped egg whites, folding until there are no white streaks remaining.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared springform pan and set it on a baking sheet. Bake until the cheesecake is light golden brown and the sides begin to pull away from the pan, 55 minutes to about 1 hour and 5 minutes. Transfer the cheesecake to a cooling rack and let it cool completely, about 1 hour. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to 2 days before serving.
• To serve, run a thin knife or spatula around the cake to release it from the sides, then unclasp the latch of the pan. Dust the top of the cake with confectioners' sugar and sprinkle with the finely ground pistachios. Set the cheesecake on a cake platter, slice and serve.

ORANGE-SCENTED BAKED RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to slow - 150°C (suggested as 140°C if you are using a dark non-stick tin).
• Line base and side of a 23cm spring-form cake tine with lightly buttered baking paper.
• Put ricotta into a large food processor and whiz until the ricotta is a smooth as possible.
• Add cream, sugar, flour and salt. Process for 10 seconds or so, then add the zest, orange liqueur and vanilla extract. Briefly whiz again.
• Break eggs into a jug and then, with food processor going, slowly pour them through the feed tube. WHiz for 30-40 seconds, stopping and scraping down the sides occassioanlly, until smooth and creamy.
• Scrape mixture into the tin and shake gently to level surface. Sprinkle almonds over the top.
• Bake about 1 hour or until it is golden and feels set when you lightly rest the palm of your hand on the surface and gently wobble it.
• Transfer to a rack and leave to cool in the tin. It will sink a little.
• Cheesecake is best served warm or at room temperature.
• Remove sides of tin and invert onto a plate. Sit a serving platter on top and invert the cake again, so that it's almond side up.
• Dust lightly with icing sugar (confectioners sugar) and serve with cream and some fresh fruit.
• Store left-overs in the fridge, but warm them gently before serving.