Recipe: Basil Cheesecake

Basil Cheesecake
rec.food.cooking/Brawny
Makes 12 Servings

1 tbsp butter
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
2 1/2 cups basil, fresh
1/2 cup parsley
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 garlic clove
1 lb ricotta cheese, room temp.
2 lb cream cheese, room temp.
1/2 lb parmesan cheese, grated
5 eggs
1/2 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted

Preheat oven to 325F. Butter bottom and sides of 10-inch springform pan. Mix bread crumbs and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle mixture into pan, turning to coat completely.

Mix basil leaves, parsley, oil, salt and garlic in food processor until smooth paste forms, about 2 minutes, scraping sides occasionally. Put ricotta cheese, cream cheese and Parmesan in a mixer bowl and mix until smooth about 2 minutes. Mix in the eggs. Remove about 1/3 of this mixture to a small bowl. Into the original 2/3 cheese mixture, fold in the basil mixture until well blended. Pour the basil mixture into the prepared pan and carefully spread an even layer of the cheese mixture on top. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Set pan on a baking sheet. Bake 1 1/2 hours. Turn oven off and cool cheesecake about 1 hour with the oven door slightly ajar. Transfer to a rack and cool completely. Serve at room temperature, or slightly warmed.