Fromage Blanc Cheesecake Recipes

HERBED FROMAGE BLANC

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the fromage blanc, sour cream, scallions, dill, chives, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour (or overnight) for the flavors to blend. Serve in a small bowl surrounded by crackers and/or fresh vegetables like crudites.

TARTE AU FROMAGE

Steps:

• Pate Brisee:Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor until combined. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. With machine running, add 1/4 cup ice water in a slow, steady stream, just until dough holds together. To test, squeeze a small amount together; if it is crumbly, add up to 1/4 cup more ice water, a little at a time. Do not process more than 30 seconds. Divide dough in half; flatten into disks. Wrap each in plastic; refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 2 days, or freeze up to 3 months; thaw overnight in refrigerator before using.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to a 12-inch round. Fit dough into a 9 1/2-by-2-inch round fluted tart pan with a removable bottom, pressing dough up to rim of pan. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees with rack in center. Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet. Line dough with parchment, pressing it into corners and edges; fill with dried beans or rice. Bake until edges are golden, about 30 minutes. Remove parchment and beans or rice. Continue baking until crust is light golden brown, about 10 minutes more. Transfer sheet to a wire rack and let cool completely.
• Filling:Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup sugar and flour. In another medium bowl, whisk together farmer cheese, creme fraiche, egg yolk, salt, and vanilla; using a wooden spoon, stir in butter, followed by sugar mixture.
• In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Increase speed to medium-high and gradually add remaining 1/3 cup sugar. Continue beating until medium glossy peaks form, about 4 minutes. Fold half the egg whites into cheese mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining egg whites.
• Transfer filling to tart shell. Bake until filling is just set (it should barely wobble when very lightly shaken), 45 to 55 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack; let cool 1 hour. Tart is best served slightly warm but can also be served at room temperature.

HOMEMADE FROMAGE BLANC

Steps:

• In a large, heavy saucepan, add the milk and the cream for a richer fromage blanc. In a mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk and lemon juice and stir to combine well. Add the buttermilk-lemon juice mixture to the milk and begin to heat the milk, over low heat and very slowly, to 175 degrees F. While the milk is heating, stir only twice, making 2 strokes each time, with a heat-proof spatula or other flat utensil. Check the temperature often. As soon as the temperature reaches 175 degrees F, remove the pot from the heat and allow to sit, undisturbed, for 10 minutes.
• Line a large colander with 2 layers of fine cheesecloth and set over a large bowl. Gently ladle the curds and whey into the colander and allow to drain until the drips of whey slows, about 2 minutes. Tie the corners of the cheesecloth together to form a hanging pouch, and hang pouch over a bowl and allow to drain until the cheese reaches the desired consistency.
• Serve as is, with preserves, honey or fresh fruit, or add salt or fresh herbs, to taste, and enjoy as a savory appetizer. If a rich cheese is desired, spoon or pour a bit of heavy cream over the top before serving. Also, if a very smooth product is desired, beat the cheese briefly with an electric mixer before serving.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 1 week. If cheese is marinated in oil with fresh herbs, it will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 month.

FROMAGE BLANC CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Combine first four ingredients until well coated with butter. Press into bottom of 4 inch ring molds. Chill.
• Combine 1/2 cup sugar and fromage blanc in large bowl, whisk over a hot water bath until sugar has dissolved. Squeeze all water out of gelatin sheets and add to warm fromage mixture, stir until gelatin has dissolved. Cool slightly over a water bath until slightly thickened. Whip yolks in mixer with second 1/2 cup of sugar until thick and pale, fold into fromage mixture. Carefully fold in whipped cream. Fill 4-inch ring molds, smooth tops and chill until set.
• Serve with strawberry mint salsa.
• Bring sugar and water to a boil in a heavy sauce pan. Brush down sides of pan with a water to prevent sugar from crystallizing. Cook until amber in color and water has evaporated. Carefully stir in butter with a wooden spoon until completely blended. Quickly stir in almonds and remove from heat. Immediately pour onto a greased 1/2-inch sheet pan. Cool.
• Yield: 3 cups