Pistachio Brittle Cheesecake Food

PISTACHIO-RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Position a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 325˚. Spread the whole and chopped pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet (keep them separate) and bake until toasted, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
• Set aside the chopped pistachios in a small bowl. Pulse the toasted whole pistachios in a food processor along with the shortbread cookies and granulated sugar until finely ground. Add the melted butter and pulse until the mixture looks like wet sand. Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch round springform pan. Bake until set around the edges and no longer puffed, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack; let cool 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Beat the eggs and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the ricotta, pistachio paste, lemon zest, vanilla and almond extracts and salt and continue beating until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the green food coloring and beat until combined.
• Pour the filling over the crust. Bake until the cheesecake is puffed and the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Transfer the cheesecake to a rack and let cool to room temperature, 2 to 3 hours. Run a thin knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen, then remove the springform ring. Serve at room temperature or cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight. Dust with confectioners' sugar and sprinkle with the toasted chopped pistachios before serving.

PISTACHIO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the flour and almonds; cut in butter until crumbly. Press onto the bottom and 1-1/4 in. up the sides of a greased 10-in. springform pan. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, milk and pudding mixes until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. , Place pan on a baking sheet. Reduce heat to 350°. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until the center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. , Slice cheesecake; drizzle slices with chocolate syrup. Garnish with whipped cream and pistachios if desired.

PISTACHIO BRITTLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend shortbread, nuts and sugar in processor until nuts are finely ground. Add butter; process until moist clumps form. Press onto bottom of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Wrap outside of pan with foil. Bake crust until golden, about 15 minutes. Cool crust.
• For filling and topping:
• Beat cream cheese, sugar and cardamom in large bowl until smooth. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Add 1 cup sour cream, pear nectar, flour and vanilla and beat until blended. Pour filling over crust.
• Bake cheesecake until puffed at edges and softly set in center, about 1 hour 5 minutes. Transfer cheesecake to rack; let cool 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir white chocolate in top of double boiler set over barely simmering water until smooth (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Cool chocolate to lukewarm; whisk in remaining 1 1/4 cups sour cream.
• Spread topping over warm filling. Refrigerate cake uncovered overnight. Cut around pan sides; release pan sides. Place cake on platter. Stand brittle pieces on edge in topping on cheesecake.

PISTACHIO CHEESECAKE TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix all crust ingredients. Press mixture in bottom of baking dish. Set aside.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in condensed milk, orange peel, almond extract and vanilla until well blended. At low speed, beat in 1 egg at a time just until blended. Pour over crust. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons pistachio nuts over cream cheese mixture.
• Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until center is set. Cool in pan on wire rack 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before serving. Cut into 8 squares; cut in half diagonally.

PISTACHIO BRITTLE

Steps:

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with cooking spray.
• Combine 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, butter, water, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir until butter has melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Add syrup and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and melted, about 5 minutes.
• Allow mixture to come to a boil, stirring constantly. Once mixture reaches 310 degrees F (155 degrees C), remove saucepan from heat. Stir in pistachios, baking soda, and cayenne (mixture will foam).
• Stir until mixture is no longer bubbling and caramel is smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and spread out with a lightly greased spatula. Let cool until firm, about 15 minutes. Break into pieces.

PISTACHIO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For bottom layer: Preheat oven to 350°F Mix flour, butter and sugar until crumbly.
• Spread evenly over bottom of ungreased 9-inch square baking pan. Press firmly. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool completely.
• Cheesecake layer: In medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and icing sugar.
• In small bowl, combine milk and instant pudding. Beat pudding mixture into cream cheese mixture, until well mixed.
• Spoon over base. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
• Cut into small squares and top with whipped cream.

PISTACHIO BRITTLE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; lightly coat paper with vegetable oil cooking spray. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 1/4 cup water and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter to a simmer; cook, stirring often, until mixture is a medium caramel color, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (mixture will foam), 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and 1 cup dry-roasted shelled unsalted pistachios. Pour onto baking sheet; spread into an even layer. Cool completely. Break into 24 pieces.

PISTACHIO BRITTLE

Steps:

• Place pistachios on baking sheet; bake in 300 degree F oven to keep warm while preparing candy.
• Combine sugar, butter, water and corn syrup in saucepan.
• Cook, without stirring, to soft crack stage (275 degrees F) on candy thermometer.
• Add lemon extract and pistachios.
• Pour onto foil lined baking sheet.
• Cool.
• Break into serving-size pieces.
• Makes approximately 36 pieces.