Pistachio Gorgonzola 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 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 GORGONZOLA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Line the bottom of a 9-in. springform pan with parchment paper; set aside., Place shallots in a food processor; cover and process until chopped. Add 2 cups Gorgonzola, butter, cream cheese, wine, orange zest, cream, pepper and mustard; cover and process until blended. Set aside., In a small bowl, combine 1 cup pistachios, green onions, basil, parsley, tomatoes and remaining Gorgonzola cheese. Spread half of mixture in prepared pan. Top with half of cream cheese mixture. Repeat layers. Pat down. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight., Remove sides of pan. Carefully unmold onto a serving platter. Remove parchment paper. Finely chop remaining pistachios; press onto sides of cheesecake. Serve with crackers.,

WHIPPED CHEESECAKES WITH PISTACHIO CRUST

Steps:

• For the pistachio crust: Blend the pistachios, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor until finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture clumps together. Distribute the mixture among 6 to 8 serving glasses, then use a muddler or the back of a spoon to pack it down firmly. Set aside while you make the filling.
• For the cheesecake: Beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar with an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on high speed until smooth. Beat in the vanilla, almond extract and salt, then add the yogurt. Beat on high until combined and smooth, a few seconds. Add the heavy cream and beat on high until the mixture holds stiff peaks, about another minute. Distribute the mixture among the serving glasses, then chill for 1 hour or up to overnight.
• For the raspberries: Add 1 cup raspberries to a medium bowl along with the granulated sugar and lemon juice. Muddle slightly with the back of a wooden spoon or muddler, then add the remaining raspberries and mix to combine. Allow to sit for 30 minutes for a juicy sauce or serve immediately. Spoon 2 tablespoons over each cheesecake and serve.

PISTACHIO-CRUSTED CHEESECAKE WITH ORANGE-CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• The cake must be made one day before serving. To begin making the filling, place a sieve over a bowl and line it with a double layer of paper towels. Spoon the yogurt into the sieve and let drain for 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. To make the crust, place pistachios, orange zest, salt, cinnamon and sugar in a food processor and pulse until nuts are ground. Put in a bowl and stir in the melted butter.
• Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Press the pistachio mixture into the bottom of it and set aside.
• To continue making the filling, place the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, gradually add the sugar, beating until light. Stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary while incorporating ingredients. Add the lemon zest and the drained yogurt, then the eggs, one at a time. Mix in the salt and flour, then the lemon juice, vanilla and honey.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Place in a large roasting pan. Add enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake until the cheesecake is set, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove cake from the water and let cool. Cover with plastic and refrigerate overnight.
• To make the sauce, use a paring knife to remove all peel and pith from the oranges, working over a bowl to collect any juice. Cut the orange sections out from between the membranes and place in the bowl. Add the 1/4 cup orange juice to the bowl and set aside.
• Stir the sugar and water together in a medium saucepan. Use a pastry brush dipped in water to wash down any sugar crystals from the sides of the pan. Place over low-medium heat and cook without stirring until the sugar turns a nice caramel color. Remove from heat and carefully pour in the heavy cream, as the mixture may spatter. Return to the heat and stir until the caramel is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the oranges and juice. Set aside. (The sauce can be made ahead, refrigerated and warmed slightly before serving.)
• Release the sides of the springform pan. To cut the cake, rinse a large sharp knife under hot water and cut a slice of cake. Wipe off the knife and reheat with hot water before slicing the next piece. Place on dessert plates and spoon a pool of sauce, with orange sections, beside each slice. Serve.

PISTACHIO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, and almonds; cut in butter until crumbly. Press onto the bottom and 1 1/4 inches up the sides of a greased 9- or 10-inch springform pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
• Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, beat room temperature cream cheese, milk and pudding mixes until smooth. (Note: if the cream cheese is not at room temperature, the cheesecake will turn out with small lumps.) Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Do not overbeat. Pour mixture over crust. Put a piece of foil underneath the pan and wrap it up a little bit on the sides.
• Place pan in another pan or cooking dish that is about 2 or 3 inches larger around than the springform pan. Place pan in the oven and pour boiling water into the water bath pan about halfway up the sides of the springform pan.
• Reduce the heat to 350 degrees. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the center is almost set. Place on a wire rack until the cheesecake has cooled. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen. Refrigerate, covered, overnight (the cheesecake is even better if you leave it in the refrigerator for 2 days before eating).
• Remove sides of pan. Slice cheesecake; drizzle slices with chocolate syrup. Garnish with whipped cream and pistachios, if desired.