Spanish Cheesecake

Spanish Cheesecake

1 pound cream cheese
1-1/2 cups sugar, granulated
2 each eggs, large
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
1 teaspoon lemon rind, grated
1/4 cup unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Confectioners sugar
3 tablespoon butter

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream the cheese, 1 T of the butter and the sugar.
• Do not beat.
• Stir in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add the cinnamon, lemon rind, flour, and salt; blend well.
• Butter the pan with the remaining 2 T of butter, using your fingers to spread the butter completely.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 12 minutes at 400 degrees,
• then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes.
• The knife should come out clean.
• Cool the cake to room temperature, then sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Caramelized Onion & Chevre Cheesecake

Caramelized Onion & Chevre Cheesecake

1 slice light rye bread
3 oz. walnuts
2 oz. butter
12 oz. mild yellow onion (1 large)
2 oz. vegetable oil
1 lb. cream cheese
1/2 lb. chevre cheese
3 eggs
2 cloves garlic
2 sprigs thyme

salt and white pepper, to taste

• Remove crust from the rye bread and dry in a 200°F oven.
• Crumble into breadcrumbs.
  Toast walnuts in a 325°F oven for about 20 minutes.
• Once cool, chop nuts finely and toss with breadcrumbs.
• Butter a 9-inch springform pan and coat the inside with the crumb mixture.
  
• Peel and thinly slice onions.
• Heat oil in a sauté pan.
• Cook onions over medium heat stirring constantly until the onions turn a rich caramel brown color.
• Allow onions to cool.
  
• In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and chevre cheese together until smooth.
• Do not overwhip the cheese or the cake will crack.
• Add eggs, one at a time, mixing each egg into the cheese mixture until thoroughly incorporated.
  
• Mince the garlic and thyme and stir into the cheese mixture.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour cheesecake mixture into the prepared pan and arrange the onions on top.
• Bake approximately 75 minutes in a 310°F oven.
• When cooled slightly, remove the sides of the pan and cut the cake into portions.
• Serve warm with crackers, chips, or fresh vegetables.