"I will honour Christmas in my heart,
and try to keep it all the year."
~ Charles Dickens
(From 'A Christmas Carol')
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Christmas CactusCacto de Navidad
(Schlumbergera truncata)
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ORANGE CHEESECAKE with RASPBERRY POMEGRANATE SAUCE
~ Perfect for holiday entertaining loosely adapted
from clipped Bon Appetit (October 2006)
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Crust:
1 3/4 cups vanilla wafer or shortbread crumbs
1 1/4 cups finely chopped walnuts
6 Tbsp. sugar
1 stick unsalted melted butter
Filling:
5 (8-oz) packages room temperature Philadelphia cream cheese
1 2/3 cups sugar
3 Tbsp. flour
2 Tbsp. grated orange zest
2 tsp. orange extract
5 large organic eggs
2 large egg yolks
Sauce:
4 cups pomegranate juice
2 (12-oz) packages fresh-frozen raspberries
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
Mint leaves (optional)
- Preheat oven to 500-degrees. Butter bottom and sides of 9-inch springform pan; wrap foil around outside.
- Crust: Combine crumbs and walnuts. Add melted butter and blend until moist. Press on bottom and 2-inches up side of springform pan.
- Filling: Blend cream cheese, sugar, flour, orange zest, and extract in large bowl. Add eggs and yolks, one at a time. Pour in crust. Bake until slightly puffed, about 12 minutes. Reduce oven to 200-degrees and continue baking until gently set in center (edges may be cracked), about 1 hour. Cool 5 minutes on rack, run knife around edges and cool completely; cover and refrigerate. (Can make 2 days ahead).
- Sauce: Place pomegranate juice in large saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until reduced to 1 cup, about 35 minutes. Mix in frozen raspberries and sugar. Simmer until reduced to 3 cups, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes. Mix in honey; bring to simmer. Cool slightly, cover and chill until cold. (Can make ahead).
- Presentation: Release sides of pan. Cut cheesecake into wedges and spoon sauce over. Garnish with mint leaves.
Comments
Thanks Marmee, knowing this is how you live your life each day. Indeed, this is my wish for all!
I've always loved that Dickens quote. Your Christmas Cactus is my favorite flower color.
This recipe sounds totally decadent! I'd better go walk a few miles before I try this one! :-)
Thanks,
Cameron
This cheesecake sounds wonderful. But promise me you'll start posting some 'diet' recipes soon!
Can we talk about walking ... got a new treadmill for Christmas (thank you, Santa) since walking outside (as much as I love to) is impossible with the icy streets and sidewalks (I refuse to wear elastic banded pants :)
Hello, dear Beckie! My thoughts have been with you in loving thoughts and prayers. These recipes are not normal food fare in our home ... these are holiday recipes for family & guests! Our diet, as you know from past visits, rely primarily on a seasonal Mediterranean diet ... I crave veggies, fish, chicken, and lean red meat ( ... and occasional forkfuls of good desserts). With so many good cookbooks, I only post family favorites that work for our lifestyle. Hugs :)
I worked the boxing day shift today, and it is nice to come home and see this recipe.
Merry Christmas!
Jen
Cheesecake is my downfall--along with chocolate. I think I've gained 5 pounds just reading the recipe:)
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Joey!
Dear Rose ~ I feel most fortunate to have known you, a wonderful gift. Please know reading will not add calories yet I can think of nothing more wonderful than sharing a forkful or 2 with both 'Thelma & Louise' :) Knowing you, your Christmas was wonderful. May the New Year bring peace, health and joy to all that touch us dearly.
gail
Hi Sowing! I also love cheesecakes and have many favorites, never knowing ... which one truly is ;)
I know, Gail! Enough is enough ... but ... just in case one hasn't had enough (I love to tease)!
Believe me, I hear you, Jan ... thanking Santa BIG TIME for my new treadmill, thinking of what I will be cookin' next, as soon as I hop off ;) Bet you can pick up a Christmas cactus on sale ... they are so easy to care for, you might have to include it in your will ;)
Huge hugs, dear Susie! Head over to the Turkey Carcass Soup, much like your mother's (and your Mimi's I am sure). And how do I love you ... let me count the ways :)
Philip
Happy Holidays, Philip! I always love to include the taste of fresh herbs. As a child, my mother taught me well ... presentation feeds the eye and soul.