Emerils Lightened Up Cheesecake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In the bowl of a food processor, combine bread crumbs, walnuts and melted butter and process until thoroughly combined. Press the mixture on the bottom and partially up the sides of an 8-inch springform pan. Set aside.
• In a mixing bowl combine blue cheese and cream cheese and mix until smooth. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper and combine well. Using a spatula, transfer cheese mixture to the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the cake is golden brown and not loose in the center.
• While the cake is baking, make the Pear Vinaigrette and Candied Walnuts.
• When the cake is puffed, golden brown and not loose in the center, transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool at least 30 minutes before serving.
• Serve the cake warm, with a salad of baby greens tossed with the Pear Vinaigrette, garnished with the Candied Walnuts.
• Combine the pear, Champagne vinegar, shallots, sugar, rosemary and black pepper in a skillet and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the pears are tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a blender or food processor.
• Add the mustard, soy sauce, kosher salt, and green onions, and puree on high speed. With the motor running, add the oil in a thin stream and process until emulsified. Remove from the blender and refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve. (The vinaigrette will keep for up to 1 week refrigerated.)
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the walnuts and cook, stirring, until golden brown and toasted, 3 minutes. Add the sugar and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Transfer to a piece of waxed paper to cool.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a 9-inch springform pan with the butter and coat it with the graham cracker crumbs, shaking out any excess.
• Combine the ricotta with the cream cheese in a bowl until very smooth. Add the egg and egg whites, 1 at a time, stirring until well incorporated. Add 3/4 cup sugar, pinch of salt, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and the lemon zest and beat until very smooth and light, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan. Bake for 45 minutes, then reduce the heat to 300 degrees F and continue baking until the cake is set in the center, about 15 minutes longer. Remove the cake from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven to 250 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 1/2 cups of sour cream, 1/4 cup of the sugar, 2 teaspoons of the amaretto, and the sliced almonds. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Pour this mixture over the top of the cheesecake and smooth with the back of a spoon or a spatula so that the sour cream mixture evenly covers the top of the cake. Return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
• Remove the cheesecake from the oven and cool on a wire rack. When the cake has cooled to room temperature, refrigerate, covered, overnight or until well chilled.
• Combine strawberry quarters, remaining tablespoon of sugar, and remaining teaspoon of amaretto in a medium bowl. Allow berries to macerate for 30 minutes.
• When ready to serve, run a sharp knife under warm water and wipe dry. Run the warmed knife around the edges of the springform pan to release the sides. Remove the springform, slice the cheesecake, and serve with macerated strawberries on the side.