Triple Ginger Cheesecake Food

GINGER LEMON BASQUE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Grease one side of 2 to 3 sheets of parchment paper. Lay them butter-side up inside a 10-inch springform pan, arranging so that they cover all sides, and crimping the edges to ensure they stay in place. Place the springform pan on a sheet tray.
• In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, granulated sugar and salt. Cream on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides.
• Turn the mixer down to medium and add the condensed milk. Beat to combine, then scrape down the bowl. Add the heavy cream, fresh ginger, ground ginger, vanilla and minced lemon zest. Fully combine, then scrape down the sides.
• Turn the mixer to medium-high and add the eggs one at a time, being sure that each is fully combined before adding the next.
• Add the flour, then beat again, scraping down the sides.
• Pour the cheesecake into the center of the springform pan and tap it lightly on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
• Bake for 30 minutes, then rotate. Continue to bake until dark golden brown, another 30 to 35 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until completely set, 6 hours.
• Remove the cheesecake from the pan, then peel down the paper. (You can leave the paper in place for a rustic look.)
• Mix together the lemon curd, limoncello, sour cream, lemon juice and remaining lemon zest in a bowl.
• Pour evenly over the top of the cheesecake, then sprinkle with the powdered sugar and garnish with the basil. Cut into slices and serve.

CHEWY TRIPLE GINGER COOKIES

Steps:

• In medium bowl, stir together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, allspice and cloves; set aside. In large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar on medium speed 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add molasses, gingerroot and egg; beat on low speed until blended. Add flour mixture; beat until soft dough forms.
• Divide dough in half; shape each half into 12-inch log. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or freeze 30 minutes until firm.
• Heat oven to 350°F. In small cup, combine crystallized ginger and granulated sugar; set aside. Cut logs into 1/2-inch slices. Onto ungreased cookie sheets, place slices 1 1/2-inches apart. Sprinkle with ginger-sugar mixture, pressing lightly into dough.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until puffed and light brown on bottom. Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely before storing in airtight container.

WHITE CHOCOLATE-GINGER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• FOR CRUST:
• Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Wrap outside of pan with 2 layers of heavy-duty foil. Finely grind cookies, sugar and ginger in processor. Add butter; blend until moist clumps form. Press onto bottom and up sides of pan. Chill while preparing filling.
• FOR FILLING:
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 300°F. Stir white chocolate in top of double boiler set over hot water until chocolate melts. Cool to lukewarm, stirring occasionally.
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and yolk 1 at a time, beating just until combined after each addition. Beat in vanilla and ground ginger. Gradually beat in melted white chocolate. Stir in crystallized ginger.
• Transfer filling to prepared crust. Place springform pan in large roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of springform pan. Bake until cheesecake puffs and edges crack slightly, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Transfer cake to rack. Run small knife around sides of cake to loosen. Cool completely. Remove foil from pan sides. Chill cake overnight. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.)
• Release pan sides. Transfer cake to platter. Top with chocolate curls.