Pesto Swirled Cheesecake Recipe

Pesto Swirled Cheesecake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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“My savory cheesecake was so popular at Thanksgiving, it was gone before my husband got a bite. He joined the appetizer line faster when I made it for Christmas and Super Bowl Sunday.” —Elizabeth Jackson, Portland, Oregon

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Pesto Swirled Cheesecake Recipe

Prep: 30 min. Bake: 35 min. + chilling

Yield: 24 Servings

30 35 65

Ingredients

2/3 cup dry bread crumbs
5 tablespoons finely chopped pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons butter, melted
FILLING:
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
PESTO TOPPING:
1/2 cup loosely packed basil leaves
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon pine nuts, toasted
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
Assorted crackers

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, pine nuts and butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan; set aside.
In a small bowl, beat the ricotta cheese, cream, Parmesan cheese, flour, salt and garlic salt until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust.
For topping, combine the basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts and garlic in a food processor; cover and process until finely chopped. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Drop by teaspoonfuls over filling; cut through with a knife to swirl.
Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.
Serve with crackers. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 24 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 slice (calculated without crackers) equals 87 calories, 6 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 28 mg cholesterol, 144 mg sodium, 4 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 4 g protein.

Originally published as Pesto Swirled Cheesecake in Country Woman December/January 2009, p26

Pine Nuts

Also know as pignolia or pinon, the pine nut is the small seed from one of several pine tree varieties. They are small elongated ivory-colored nuts measuring about 3/8 inch long and having a soft texture and a buttery flavor. Frequently used in Italian dishes and sauces such as pesto, pine nuts are often toasted to enhance their flavor.