Cheesecake
This recipe has been taken from a Turkish site a couple of years ago. Actually long before food blogs has appeared. It was a well prepared portal with many subjects to discuss, including recipes with photographs of the making process. Since then, this became the only recipe I use whenever I need to make a cheesecake. It turns out well each time and flexible enough to add different flavours and ingredients without changing the base. This one has about 100grs of unsweetened chestnut pureé and 3-4 tablespoons nutella….ok I admit that I made a spring cleaning in the fridge:-) You will find the original recipe below, though I omitted cream of chantilly as I always do.
100 grs of butter (at room temperature)
225 grs of all purpose flour
1 egg
3-4 tablespoons of sugar
1 sachet of baking powder
The original recipe recommends to prepare the dough in the food processor. However, you can whisk egg and sugar in a seperate bowl and add to the flour-butter mixture which you already prepared as a crumble by rubbing the ingredients together with your fingers. This mixture quickly takes the shape of a dough by adding the egg, just roll it out to fit your springform (24 or 26 cm) pan, pay attention to make the edges. After placing the dough in the pan, make little holes on the bottom with a fork. Leave the pan to rest 30 mins in the refrigerator.
The filling:
2X200 gr philadelphia or other. less salty, creamy white cheese
4 eggs
175gr sugar
3 tablespoons flour
juice of 1 lemon and shredded peel
1 sachet of vanilla
1 package of cream chantilly in powder form (or 200ml whipping cream)
1 cup of cold milk (240 ml) , if you are using the powder above
Heat your oven to 180C degrees. Mix well eggs and sugar, add cheeses and flour. Mix until well blended. Add lemon juice and the shredded peel and vanilla. If you are using cream chantilly, whisk it well by adding 1 cup of cold milk and add to the mixture. If you are using whipping cream, again whisk it well until almost doubled in volume and add to the filling. Pour the filling in the springform pan and bake around 40 mins in preheated oven. It may crack on the surface, it is ok. If the center feels firm to the touch, turn off the oven after 40 mins. It will set during cooling. If it is still soft, lower the temperature to 160C and leave additional 10 minutes in the oven. Cool the cake on the kitchen counter until it reaches room temperature. Additional 3-4 hours in the fridge will be necessary. Serve thin slices with your favourite sauce. Enjoy!
