Deconstructed Italian Cheesecake Recipes

ITALIAN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the dough: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar together. Scrape down the sides and add the lemon and orange zests. Turn the mixer back on to low speed. Add the milk and egg. Turn the speed to medium and mix until well combined (scrape the sides of the bowl if necessary). Turn the mixer off and add the flour. Carefully turn the mixer on a slow speed and mix just until a dough forms, scraping down the sides as necessary.
• Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface dusted with flour. Knead until it forms a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• For the filling: Combine the ricotta cheese, granulated sugar, custard/pudding, lemon zest, orange zest and semolina flour in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until combined. Add the vanilla orange and blossom water. Add in the whole eggs and egg yolks in 3 batches. Mix on slow speed in between each addition.
• Grease the inside of a 9-inch nonstick springform pan with pan spray. Roll the dough into a circle approximately 14 inches wide. Roll the dough into the pan and press it out into an even layer across the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
• Pour the filling into the pan and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until cheesecake is golden brown, 80 to 90 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before removing from the pan.
• Remove from the pan and put onto a decorative plate or platter. Dust the top with powdered sugar using a small mesh strainer. Decorate the center with fresh cranberries and sprigs of rosemary.

DECONSTRUCTED ITALIAN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Mix ricotta cheese, sunflower seeds, currants and honey in a bowl. Divide among 4 dessert dishes.

DECONSTRUCTED CHERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• DECONSTRUCTED CHEESECAKE: Whip mascarpone in a stand mixer or with electric mixer until softened and creamy. Add stilton and whip until incorporated. Add whipping cream and whip until incorporated. NOTE: it's OK if the mixture is a little lumpy with bits of Stilton. Add dollop to tiny ramekin or just add to the serving plate. Refrigerate and serve chilled.
• SOURCHERRY AND THYME SAUCE: In a saucepan over medium high heat, combine the cherries, thyme and Port. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until thickens slightly, about 2-4 minutes. Remove from heat. Let cool to room temperature before using.
• ALMOND CRUNCH: Preheat oven ot 350°F.
• Whisk the egg white by hand until frothy. Add almonds, orange zest, sugar and salt. Toss to combine well. Transfer to a baking sheet, lined with parchment paper and spread mixture out in a single layer. Bake in oven until golden and crisp, about 15-20 minutes, until golden brown and crisp. Cool.
• ASSEMBLY: To serve, add the following to individual plates, ramekin filled weith the deconstructed cheesecake garnished with a sprig of thyme, a spoon of the sauce and a piece of the almond crunch - Simply Delicious!

DECONSTRUCTED STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Cohere the graham cracker crumbs and butter into a dampened sand.
• In a bowl, cream together the cheese, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. In a larger bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold the cheese mixture into the whipped cream until combined.
• To plate, start with a portion of the cheesecake cream, smearing it with a spatula. Next, decorously arrange the fresh berries and dust with the graham cracker sand and crushed freeze-dried strawberries. For a temperature contrast, finish with a scoop or two of the sorbet or ice cream.