Recipe: Country Ham Cheesecake for Angie

Hi Angie :-) You should know that this is very rich before you consider using this recipe.

COUNTRY HAM CHEESECAKE
This savory cheesecake from noted chef Marcel Desaulniers of The Trellis restaurant makes a standout first course for a large dinner party.

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, melted
3 cups soup-and-oyster crackers (small saltine crackers)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)

4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
7 large eggs
2 cups grated Swiss cheese (about 8 ounces)
1 cup 1/2-inch cubes ham
1/3 cup chopped fresh chives
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

Preheat oven to 300 F. Brush 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Finely grind crackers in processor. Mix cracker crumbs, Parmesan and 5 tablespoons melted butter in medium bowl to blend. Reserve 1/2 cup crumb mixture for topping; press remainder onto bottom and up sides of prepared pan. Refrigerate while preparing filling.

Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and eggs in large bowl until smooth. Mix in remaining ingredients. Pour filling into crust. Sprinkle reserved 1/2 cup crumbs over. Place cheesecake on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until filling no longer moves in center when pan is gently shaken, about 2 hours. Cool 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving.)

Makes 12 to 16 (first-course) servings.

Marcel Desaulniers

The Trellis, Williamsburg, VA