Pistachio Crusted Cheesecake With Orange Caramel Sauce Recipes

ORANGE CHEESECAKE WITH CARAMEL-ORANGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 450°F. Grind crackers and sugar in processor until fine crumbs form. Add butter; process until crumbs are slightly moist. Press onto bottom (not sides) of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 1/2-inch-high sides. Bake until set, about 12 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool completely. Maintain oven temperature.
• For filling:
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until smooth. Add eggs, liqueur, orange peel and vanilla. Beat just until blended. Pour filling into crust-lined pan.
• Bake cake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F. Bake until cake is puffed, outer 2-inch edge is set and center moves just slightly when shaken, about 55 minutes longer. Transfer cake to rack. Run knife around pan sides to loosen; cool. Chill cheesecake overnight. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; keep chilled.)
• Serve with Caramel-Orange Sauce.

PISTACHIO-CRUSTED CHEESECAKE WITH ORANGE-CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• The cake must be made one day before serving. To begin making the filling, place a sieve over a bowl and line it with a double layer of paper towels. Spoon the yogurt into the sieve and let drain for 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. To make the crust, place pistachios, orange zest, salt, cinnamon and sugar in a food processor and pulse until nuts are ground. Put in a bowl and stir in the melted butter.
• Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Press the pistachio mixture into the bottom of it and set aside.
• To continue making the filling, place the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, gradually add the sugar, beating until light. Stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary while incorporating ingredients. Add the lemon zest and the drained yogurt, then the eggs, one at a time. Mix in the salt and flour, then the lemon juice, vanilla and honey.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Place in a large roasting pan. Add enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake until the cheesecake is set, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove cake from the water and let cool. Cover with plastic and refrigerate overnight.
• To make the sauce, use a paring knife to remove all peel and pith from the oranges, working over a bowl to collect any juice. Cut the orange sections out from between the membranes and place in the bowl. Add the 1/4 cup orange juice to the bowl and set aside.
• Stir the sugar and water together in a medium saucepan. Use a pastry brush dipped in water to wash down any sugar crystals from the sides of the pan. Place over low-medium heat and cook without stirring until the sugar turns a nice caramel color. Remove from heat and carefully pour in the heavy cream, as the mixture may spatter. Return to the heat and stir until the caramel is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the oranges and juice. Set aside. (The sauce can be made ahead, refrigerated and warmed slightly before serving.)
• Release the sides of the springform pan. To cut the cake, rinse a large sharp knife under hot water and cut a slice of cake. Wipe off the knife and reheat with hot water before slicing the next piece. Place on dessert plates and spoon a pool of sauce, with orange sections, beside each slice. Serve.

WHIPPED CHEESECAKES WITH PISTACHIO CRUST

Steps:

• For the pistachio crust: Blend the pistachios, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor until finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture clumps together. Distribute the mixture among 6 to 8 serving glasses, then use a muddler or the back of a spoon to pack it down firmly. Set aside while you make the filling.
• For the cheesecake: Beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar with an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on high speed until smooth. Beat in the vanilla, almond extract and salt, then add the yogurt. Beat on high until combined and smooth, a few seconds. Add the heavy cream and beat on high until the mixture holds stiff peaks, about another minute. Distribute the mixture among the serving glasses, then chill for 1 hour or up to overnight.
• For the raspberries: Add 1 cup raspberries to a medium bowl along with the granulated sugar and lemon juice. Muddle slightly with the back of a wooden spoon or muddler, then add the remaining raspberries and mix to combine. Allow to sit for 30 minutes for a juicy sauce or serve immediately. Spoon 2 tablespoons over each cheesecake and serve.