May 23, 2008

Pysch!


In my previous post I said I wouldn’t be posting food related stuff this weekend. I’m such a liar. It’s raining, and when it’s raining I NEED to be in the kitchen doing something. Maybe it’s genetic programming that when the weather gets dicey we start to stock up on the food supplies? Or maybe it’s the warmth coming off the burners and oven?? Regardless, it’s imperative that I be in there, with pans clattering and butter softening. I’m very impressed with this rainy day baking situation. These are very very VERY good and I suggest you make them right away. I bet you have everything you need…maybe you’ll need run out for the fig jam, or just use apricot. Or invent your own damn glaze, ok? They are the perfect size for a sweet little dessert perched on a cute plate or a sweet gift (in a tiny box with a big bow) to someone you really, really like. Sorry….the rain makes me all sentimental and fluffy. Maybe it’s a genetic desire to crawl deep into a down comforter with a little....cheesecake!


Miniature Lemon Cheesecakes with Brandied Fig Glaze

Makes 6

1 ½ cups vanilla wafers (before crushing!), about 3 ½ oz
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 – 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
3 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2/3 cup fig jam
3 tablespoons brandy

1. In food processor, pulse cookies until fine. Add melted butter and pulse until just combined. . Line a 6 hole, oversized muffin pan with paper baking cups.
Divide mixture into bottom of muffins cups, pressing firmly. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
3. Beat cheese, lemon peel, and sugar in medium sized bowl with electric mixer until very smooth and incorporated. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Pour mixture into muffin cups.
4. Bake about 30 minutes or until just barely firm to touch, a little jiggle left. Cool on rack.
5. Combine fig jam and brandy in small heavy saucepan. Heat over medium low heat until simmering, stirring occasionally. Cook until reduced to nice syrupy, glaze consistency. Strain, and let cool slightly.
6. With tablespoons, spoon glaze over tops of cheesecakes and smooth to edges. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.


17 comments:

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Yum and how cute! I feel the same way.....I MUST cook in the rain. Have a great weekend!

Deborah said...

I am totally the same. It's raining here, and I am SO wishing I was at home baking!

Emily said...

Heyyy...these are cute AND classy. I love the name. The glaze sounds very British, you know?

Birdie said...

These look really good. I read you post on the CCC about Elk hunting. Now I'm really really jealous! We just ate our last Elk tenderloins last week.

Nina Timm said...

I make cheesecake on a weekly basis, but I have NEVER seen brandied fig topping before - it is genius!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I love the fig glaze on this cheesecake, it sounds like something I will have to try:D

Peter M said...

Aren't you nice to share your kitchen creations in Catherine's kitchen! OK, enough of the alliteration...these sounds yum...fig glaze.

Enjoy the Memorial Weekend.

Catherine Wilkinson said...

Hi Lisa!
Isn't it great to have a rainy day to just bake and cook...doesn't happen often, here in AZ! Have a relaxing wknd!

deborah,
Everything you make is stellar! Have a wonderful wknd!

emiline,
British...and here I thought they sounded Irish!

birdie!
How nice to see you! Ours are gone too! Just need to get another one, eh? It's a NM hunt, can't wait!!!!

nina,
thank you very much...and I"m sooooo far from genius! I just had a jar of fig jam!!!

val,
I'm a big fan of booze in anything fruity, then cooking it down! LOL

Peter,
huh? Spell it out, babycakes!
You have a great weekend too!!!!

Prudy said...

I must cook when the weather is gloomy. I love gloomy weather since it ties in so nicely with my hobby. I should move to Antartica.

Obsessive Foodie or Food Addict....You Decide said...

These look soooo good. I love N. AZ also. Lived in S. AZ back in'93 and '94. Flagstaff is soooo gorgeous!

RecipeGirl said...

Hey, I'm the SAME way. If it's raining... it's time to bake! Looks like a delicious choice :)

Happy Mem. Day weekend!

Jenny said...

Oh Catherine,
Those look beautifully delicious! Here I am out of town and I still can't stay away from seeing what everyone's cookin! Have a great rest of your weekend!

Tracy said...

Those look great! I like the idea of mini cheesecakes ... portion control.

Anonymous said...

Hey, you said you wouldn't be posting food related stuff this week end! Ok, you're excused because it's cheesecake. Everybody loves cheesecake!!

Heather said...

Yum, figs. They are so seductive. Probably because their flowers are on the insides (kinda like ladies).

Thistlemoon said...

Those look beautiful Catherine and sooo yummy!

Catherine Wilkinson said...

prudy,
better not move! Might not be good bandwidth!

obsessive,
it is beautiful up here! thanks for stopping by!

recipegirl,
thanks! I hope you had a nice wknd too!

jenny!
hope you had a swell time! I'll be back later this week!

zen,
I just can't stay away! Sick!

heather,
nasty!

jenn,
thanks, they were delicious!

 
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"The Dish" by Catherine Wilkinson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.