Thursday 17 February 2011

Cheesecake with Blueberry Topping



Cheesecakes....the name itself fills my mouth with water that a small boat could easily be driven on it.. My first attempt on cheesecakes was some 3 years back when there was a small gathering in my house after ma cousin's marriage. That was a non-baked one; was okay but the base was not set..may be the butter i used was not enough. But still I didn't give up, the second one was better than that...Since then, it has been one of my favorite dessert...and the blueberry syrup tops it all. I was hesitant to buy blueberries always becos of its sour taste. We can't find the best of it in this part of the world where I lives.So used to depend on the canned blueberry topping. But this time I dared to buy some and it turned out delicious. It was so sweet that I thought of trying it at home and I just loved it....awesome, delicious or ' RAD RAPPAD RAPCHUND RAPCHUNDAS BAPKA' (as per the words of Vaibhavi merchant)

This is from Martha's collections, as usual, could do justice to the recipe ,but not in looks. Next time I should work more on its looks and will update the pictures so.. The base was not even and this was the first time i tried the upper crust. I would have made it more thinner.

RECIPE TIME:(I took half the meausure ,which ws enough for my family of 4)

BLUEBERRY TOPPING (you can make it with or without the topping)

Ingredients:(Makes enough for 1 cheesecake)

  • 1 1/2 pints (3 cups) blueberries
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Method:


  1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, and cook until berries break down, about 4 minutes. Let cool, then refrigerate, covered, until cold (or up to 3 days).




    CHEESECAKE:


    INGREDIENTS:(Serves 8 to 10)


    • Vegetable-oil cooking spray
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
    • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs/Digestive biscuits/bourbon biscuits
    • 3 tablespoons sugar
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Pinch of salt
    • 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
    • 16 ounces sour cream/hung yoghurt
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • Boiling water, for roasting pan
    • Blueberry Topping
    Method:








  1. Make the crust: Preheat oven to 325F (160C). Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Wrap exterior of pan (including base) with foil.









  2. Stir together butter, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Press mixture firmly into bottom and 3 inches up sides of pan. Refrigerate 15 minutes.












  3. Make the filling: Beat cream cheese with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Reduce speed to low, and add sour cream***, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla. Beat until well combined (do not overmix). Pour into chilled crust.













  4. Set springform pan in a large, shallow roasting pan. Place in oven. Carefully ladle enough boiling water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of springform pan. Bake until cheesecake is set but still slightly wobbly in center, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. (it took 30 mts for me as i baked for half the measurement  & ma oven also requires slightly lesser time than in other ovens) Transfer roasting pan to a wire rack. Let cake cool in roasting pan 30 minutes. Remove cheesecake from roasting pan, and refrigerate, uncovered, at least 8 hours (or overnight).














  5. Run a knife around edge of cake, and unmold. Spoon topping over cake. 











  6. **Hung Yogurt can be prepared in home by hanging yogurt tied in a muslin cloth. If you can't find any place to hang it, you can place the same on a strainer(after tying in a cloth)kept over a deep bottomed vessel for few hours.
     


    How to make Graham Cracker Crumbs at home

    ***You can buy already made graham cracker crumbs in a bag or box. Buying your graham crackers crumbs already made is quick and time saving but it can cost you more then if you make the graham cracker crumbs yourself.

    When you make your own graham cracker crumbs all you need is the graham crackers, a rolling pin and a sealable plastic bag. 

    To make graham cracker crumbs take the plastic bag and put in some crumbled graham crackers. Then seal the plastic bag well so the crumbs you make can't escape out of the plastic bag.

    After your crumbled graham crackers are in the plastic bag take the plastic bag full of crumbled graham crackers and lay it flat on a flat surface like a counter top. 

    Take the rolling pin and roll it over the plastic bag full of graham cracker crumbles. Keep rolling the rolling pin over the plastic bag of graham cracker until you see that the graham crackers are turning into crumbs. You can see where the rolling pin needs to go as you roll it over the plastic bag. Try to get all the large pieces of graham cracker to crumble.

    When you are done you should have a plastic bag of graham cracker crumbs to use for all your favorite recipes needing graham cracker crumbs. You can store any graham cracker crumbs that you don't use in the plastic bag for future use. The graham cracker crumbs will stay good to use in a plastic bag for a long time.


    This post is going to Food Palette Series Purple hosted by Torview


    17 comments:

    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      ReplyDelete
    2. cheese cake mad e easier and unusual topping dear

      ReplyDelete
    3. Wowww am speechless and cant take my eyes from ur clicks, irresistible cheesecake, yummy!

      ReplyDelete
    4. wow cheese cake looks delicious first time in your blog n liked ur blog. pls visit my blog 2 when time gets. happy to follow u

      ReplyDelete
    5. Lovely cake...1st time here.Happy to follow u.Do visit my blog.

      http://www.easycookingforamateurs.com/

      ReplyDelete
    6. Love the cake.. dont worry about the upper crust... it looks perfect :)

      ReplyDelete
    7. Hola desde VIGO ESPAÑA ... te deseo pases una año 2011 lleno de suerte , prosperidad y felicidad .Y para todos convivir en armonia y PAZ .
      Me encanta tu blog y la cocina que haces .. siempre me ha gustado probar
      recetas diferentes .
      ESTA TARTA TIENE UN ASPECTO ESTUPENDO te felicito ,compartamos blogs y recetas . Saludos afectuosos MARIMI

      ReplyDelete
    8. thnk u all...& Garlutti...had to go to translation software to read your comments..:)) yet...thanks a lot

      ths s her comment translated & thnx for the wishes too..

      "Hello from SPAIN VIGO ... I wish you spend a year 2011 full of luck, prosperity and happiness. And for all live together in harmony and peace. I love your blog and kitchen you do .. I've always liked to try different recipes. This cake looks great I congratulate you, share blogs and recipes. MARIMI warm greetings"

      ReplyDelete
    9. A very Happy new year to you n ur family , loved going thru ur wonderful blog !!!

      - Smita
      www.littlefoodjunction.blogspot.com
      (fun foods for little eaters

      ReplyDelete
    10. Hi Hasna, am extremely sorry,missed out on including your entries in the round up. Will do so immediately.

      A baked cheesecake sounds delicious, though I am not a huge fan of the non-baked ones. Thanks for all ur entries!

      ReplyDelete
    11. Hasna, Thanks for the interest on Indian Cooking Challenge. Do drop me an email at spicingyourlife@gmail.com

      ReplyDelete
    12. Cheesecake looks very delicious with topping. Lovely blog with all delicious recipes.

      ReplyDelete
    13. That looks awesomely delicious - Hasna -thanks for sending it to my event - I would like to eat that slice so invitingly presented

      ReplyDelete
    14. You got great points there, that's why I always love checking out your blog.

      My blog:
      rachat prĂȘts aussi forum Rachat De Credit

      ReplyDelete
    15. cheesecake and blueberries are a wonderful combination thank you for linking it to the purple event
      it looks fabulous
      salaams

      ReplyDelete
    [Reply]

    Thursday 17 February 2011

    Cheesecake with Blueberry Topping



    Cheesecakes....the name itself fills my mouth with water that a small boat could easily be driven on it.. My first attempt on cheesecakes was some 3 years back when there was a small gathering in my house after ma cousin's marriage. That was a non-baked one; was okay but the base was not set..may be the butter i used was not enough. But still I didn't give up, the second one was better than that...Since then, it has been one of my favorite dessert...and the blueberry syrup tops it all. I was hesitant to buy blueberries always becos of its sour taste. We can't find the best of it in this part of the world where I lives.So used to depend on the canned blueberry topping. But this time I dared to buy some and it turned out delicious. It was so sweet that I thought of trying it at home and I just loved it....awesome, delicious or ' RAD RAPPAD RAPCHUND RAPCHUNDAS BAPKA' (as per the words of Vaibhavi merchant)

    This is from Martha's collections, as usual, could do justice to the recipe ,but not in looks. Next time I should work more on its looks and will update the pictures so.. The base was not even and this was the first time i tried the upper crust. I would have made it more thinner.

    RECIPE TIME:(I took half the meausure ,which ws enough for my family of 4)

    BLUEBERRY TOPPING (you can make it with or without the topping)

    Ingredients:(Makes enough for 1 cheesecake)

    • 1 1/2 pints (3 cups) blueberries
    • 3/4 cup sugar
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    Method:


    1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, and cook until berries break down, about 4 minutes. Let cool, then refrigerate, covered, until cold (or up to 3 days).




      CHEESECAKE:


      INGREDIENTS:(Serves 8 to 10)


      • Vegetable-oil cooking spray
      • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
      • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs/Digestive biscuits/bourbon biscuits
      • 3 tablespoons sugar
      • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
      • Pinch of salt
      • 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
      • 16 ounces sour cream/hung yoghurt
      • 1 cup sugar
      • 3 large eggs
      • 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
      • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
      • Boiling water, for roasting pan
      • Blueberry Topping
      Method:








    1. Make the crust: Preheat oven to 325F (160C). Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Wrap exterior of pan (including base) with foil.









    2. Stir together butter, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Press mixture firmly into bottom and 3 inches up sides of pan. Refrigerate 15 minutes.












    3. Make the filling: Beat cream cheese with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Reduce speed to low, and add sour cream***, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla. Beat until well combined (do not overmix). Pour into chilled crust.













    4. Set springform pan in a large, shallow roasting pan. Place in oven. Carefully ladle enough boiling water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of springform pan. Bake until cheesecake is set but still slightly wobbly in center, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. (it took 30 mts for me as i baked for half the measurement  & ma oven also requires slightly lesser time than in other ovens) Transfer roasting pan to a wire rack. Let cake cool in roasting pan 30 minutes. Remove cheesecake from roasting pan, and refrigerate, uncovered, at least 8 hours (or overnight).














    5. Run a knife around edge of cake, and unmold. Spoon topping over cake. 











    6. **Hung Yogurt can be prepared in home by hanging yogurt tied in a muslin cloth. If you can't find any place to hang it, you can place the same on a strainer(after tying in a cloth)kept over a deep bottomed vessel for few hours.
       


      How to make Graham Cracker Crumbs at home

      ***You can buy already made graham cracker crumbs in a bag or box. Buying your graham crackers crumbs already made is quick and time saving but it can cost you more then if you make the graham cracker crumbs yourself.

      When you make your own graham cracker crumbs all you need is the graham crackers, a rolling pin and a sealable plastic bag. 

      To make graham cracker crumbs take the plastic bag and put in some crumbled graham crackers. Then seal the plastic bag well so the crumbs you make can't escape out of the plastic bag.

      After your crumbled graham crackers are in the plastic bag take the plastic bag full of crumbled graham crackers and lay it flat on a flat surface like a counter top. 

      Take the rolling pin and roll it over the plastic bag full of graham cracker crumbles. Keep rolling the rolling pin over the plastic bag of graham cracker until you see that the graham crackers are turning into crumbs. You can see where the rolling pin needs to go as you roll it over the plastic bag. Try to get all the large pieces of graham cracker to crumble.

      When you are done you should have a plastic bag of graham cracker crumbs to use for all your favorite recipes needing graham cracker crumbs. You can store any graham cracker crumbs that you don't use in the plastic bag for future use. The graham cracker crumbs will stay good to use in a plastic bag for a long time.


      This post is going to Food Palette Series Purple hosted by Torview


      17 comments:

      1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

        ReplyDelete
      2. cheese cake mad e easier and unusual topping dear

        ReplyDelete
      3. Wowww am speechless and cant take my eyes from ur clicks, irresistible cheesecake, yummy!

        ReplyDelete
      4. wow cheese cake looks delicious first time in your blog n liked ur blog. pls visit my blog 2 when time gets. happy to follow u

        ReplyDelete
      5. Lovely cake...1st time here.Happy to follow u.Do visit my blog.

        http://www.easycookingforamateurs.com/

        ReplyDelete
      6. Love the cake.. dont worry about the upper crust... it looks perfect :)

        ReplyDelete
      7. Hola desde VIGO ESPAÑA ... te deseo pases una año 2011 lleno de suerte , prosperidad y felicidad .Y para todos convivir en armonia y PAZ .
        Me encanta tu blog y la cocina que haces .. siempre me ha gustado probar
        recetas diferentes .
        ESTA TARTA TIENE UN ASPECTO ESTUPENDO te felicito ,compartamos blogs y recetas . Saludos afectuosos MARIMI

        ReplyDelete
      8. thnk u all...& Garlutti...had to go to translation software to read your comments..:)) yet...thanks a lot

        ths s her comment translated & thnx for the wishes too..

        "Hello from SPAIN VIGO ... I wish you spend a year 2011 full of luck, prosperity and happiness. And for all live together in harmony and peace. I love your blog and kitchen you do .. I've always liked to try different recipes. This cake looks great I congratulate you, share blogs and recipes. MARIMI warm greetings"

        ReplyDelete
      9. A very Happy new year to you n ur family , loved going thru ur wonderful blog !!!

        - Smita
        www.littlefoodjunction.blogspot.com
        (fun foods for little eaters

        ReplyDelete
      10. Hi Hasna, am extremely sorry,missed out on including your entries in the round up. Will do so immediately.

        A baked cheesecake sounds delicious, though I am not a huge fan of the non-baked ones. Thanks for all ur entries!

        ReplyDelete
      11. Hasna, Thanks for the interest on Indian Cooking Challenge. Do drop me an email at spicingyourlife@gmail.com

        ReplyDelete
      12. Cheesecake looks very delicious with topping. Lovely blog with all delicious recipes.

        ReplyDelete
      13. That looks awesomely delicious - Hasna -thanks for sending it to my event - I would like to eat that slice so invitingly presented

        ReplyDelete
      14. You got great points there, that's why I always love checking out your blog.

        My blog:
        rachat prĂȘts aussi forum Rachat De Credit

        ReplyDelete
      15. cheesecake and blueberries are a wonderful combination thank you for linking it to the purple event
        it looks fabulous
        salaams

        ReplyDelete