Author Notes
This impress-your-guests recipe kicks the usual cheese and crackers platter up a big notch. —CravingSomethingHealthy
Ingredients
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12
whole grain or gluten free crackers
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1/4 cup
walnut halves, toasted
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1 tablespoon
olive oil
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4 ounces
Neufchatel cheese
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1/2 cup
part skim ricotta
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1/4 cup
softened goat cheese
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1
egg
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1 tablespoon
sugar
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1
pinch of salt
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1 tablespoon
fresh lemon zest
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1 tablespoon
minced chives
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1 tablespoon
minced parsley
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1 tablespoon
fresh thyme leaves
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and wrap the outside of a 4 1/2-inch springform pan with heavy duty foil. Spray the inside of the pan with cooking spray.
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In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the chopping blade, process crackers and walnuts until they are crumbs. Add olive oil and pulse a few more times to combine.
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Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the springform pan.
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Bake the crust until golden, about 5-8 minutes.
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Wipe down the bowl of the food processor, and process the neufchâtel, ricotta, and goat cheese. Add egg, sugar, salt and lemon, and process until smooth.
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Mix in the herbs by hand.
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Pour cheese mixture into the prepared crust.
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Place the springform pan into a larger roasting pan, and pour hot water in to the pan to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan.
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Bake the cheesecake for 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden. The center will move slightly when gently shaken, but it will firm up as it cools.
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Transfer the cake to a wire rack and let cool for one hour. Refrigerate until cold, at least 3 hours, and up to 2 days.
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Before, serving, gently remove the cheesecake from the springform pan by sliding a thin spatula under the crust, and transfer to a serving plate. Serve cold or at room temperature, with crackers, and fruit, if desired.
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