Orange Caramel, Marsala & Vanilla Cheesecake
For the cheesecake component, I used my favourite recipe thus far - a fabulously creamy number that's baked for 8 hours (yup, 8, this is not a typo error) in a water bath at the very gentle temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit. It's based on a recipe from Maida Heatter's Cakes, a wonderful little volume. First, a caveat: If you're a fan of the dense and firm New York-style cheesecake, this - being the very antithesis of dense and firm - is not the recipe for you. It is, however, the ultimate recipe (thus far) for fans of the lushly creamy cheesecake style. Before coming across Heatter's method, I used to follow the "Rich and Creamy Cheesecake" recipe found in the 1999 edition of The Best Recipe cookbook by Cook's Illustrated, from whence I learnt the importance of using a water bath in order to achieve a perfectly flat and uncracked top. While indeed "Rich" and "Creamy" as promised in the recipe's name, it is significantly different from that of the 8-hour cake in texture. Baked at an extremely low temperature and coddled from direct heat in a bain-marie, the ingredients have the luxury of melding together at an unhurried pace, thus setting to a delicately tender and creamily custard-like velvet. The only departure from Heatter's recipe I've made is the choice of flavouring - I've used the tiny seeds scraped from a split vanilla pod and a splash of marsala instead of vanilla extract and cognac, in addition to the Myer's Dark Rum the author specifies. I then cut out columns using a deep round cutter for an individual presentation, jiggling them into place atop crumbly, cookie-like discs of separately baked buttery pate sablee. The mirror-like finish comes from a caramel-based glaze flavoured with orange juice and more vanilla - being a clear liquid topaz, the glaze prettily holds the specks of vanilla seeds in suspension. And finally, the cakes are topped with chocolate dipped candied orange peel (made by dipping strips of peel, which have had their sugar crystal coating scraped off, in tempered Valrhona Guanaja 70.5%).
27 Comments:
Very nice! May I ask, what molds did you use? They look so perfect...
That top photo is gorgeous. Looks like it should be on the cover on some food magazine. And as one of your food tasters, thanks for sharing. By the way, we just took delivery of a big box of Pierre Herme macarons. We'll bring up a sampling.
lovely! i am not a fan of cheesecakes, but i like the sound of this--like a bold italian flan, a stroppy diva who knows she's worth it.
Oh my goodness- 8 hours! I like the idea of cutting them out into individual sizes... well, heck I actually like all the ideas associated with this recipe!
The texture of the creamy cheese layer looks absolutely yummy.. and that says a lot from a non-cheesecake fan!
i'm sure that little gem was worth the 8 slow hours! and it does look pristine. your detailed description of the lovely candied peel was an imaginary treat for my tastebuds. and yes as chubby hubby has said, if someone else showed me that photo, i would have thought it came from a gourmet magazine. your photography skills are really something. kudos to you my friend~ keep up with the feast for both eyes and more.
That is the cutest little cheesecake! I love the sound of the texture... hmm I wonder if I can convince my boyf to like cheesecake with this beautiful baby...
hi catherine, i used 1-inch high stainless steel rings with a 3-inch diameter
hi chubbyhubby, coming from the super shutterbug himself, that is high praise ;)btw, love your new masthead picture
hi santos, thanks! i think on a subconscious level i was thinking about your fabulous flan all week and just had to make something flan-like...
hi mcauliflower, thanks...i very nearly forgot to take it out of the oven...
hi eatzycath, thanks for your kind words, as always
hi the baker, thanks! coming from someone who bakes as much as you do, that's very kind...
hi clare, w, who's not very big on cheesecake himself, ate the whole thing by himself....
J
Your photo has won the highest score in "originality" in this month's DMBLGIT - come on over for a look! http://gorgeoustown.typepad.com/lex_culinaria/2005/07/dmblgit_we_have.html
Hi J - congrats on your DMBLGIT award!!! Well deserved, I'd say.
I know it's been said before (and even by me), but you DO take the most wonderful photos. On top of which I love the way you walk us through the creative process.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi J
I'm just stumped by your cheesecake.Could you very kindly share the recipe?
Many thx
Celine
weng_tse@yahoo.com
i'm looking for a cheesecake recipe that would yield results similar to the coffee bean & tea leaf kind of chicago cheesecake, is this similar? would you mind sharing?
thanks!
baobei @ tanwli@yahoo.com
"I just came across your blog about **keyword** and wanted to drop you a note telling you how impressed I was with the information you have posted here. I also have a web site & blog about free penny stock pick so I know what I'm talking about when I say your site is top-notch! Keep up the great work, you are providing a great resource on the Internet here!"
Hi, what a great page! Really enjoyed it, keep up the great work!
cool spy gadget
Have you ever seen Asparagus this BIG
They grow up to 15in long and 2in wide.
gardening gift
Cool blog you have going here, I will check in often! I have a similar site about beauty salon san jose california. It pretty much covers beauty salon san jose california related stuff.
Just thought i would say hi from Japan. Doing some blog surfing and found your site. Im looking for some cool styles of cheap health in insurance texas
for my own blog. Theres some really amazing blogs about. if you have time check out my site you will find information on cheap health in insurance texas
. Well when i get my blog running hope you come and check it out.
Hello,
Very nice blog here and interested about new york cheesecake recipe also. Love making it and if you are interested in lots of free receipes you can find lots at new york cheesecake recipe
Hope you experiment with them all:-)
Hello,
Very nice blog here and interested about cheesecake also. Love making it and if you are interested in lots of free receipes you can find lots at cheesecake
Hope you experiment with them all:-)
Rowenta Is-8100 Commercial Garment Steamer gadget watch The Rowenta IS-8100 easily removes wrinkles from hanging garments, delicate fabrics, curtains, drapes, or slipcovers and can refresh garments for a just ironed look.
Superior performance, the 1500 watt heating provides rapid 90 second heat up time and continuous steam output. The UL Commercial rating was built to pass stringent tests including endurance to allow for heavy extended use for commercial or household. The removable one gallon water tank provides steam for up to 1.5 hours. gadget watch
Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you!
I have a christmas gift site/blog. It pretty much covers gift ideas for christmas related stuff.
Come and check it out if you get time :-)
Great Blog! I also have a site about cream cheese cookie recipe
. You can check it out at cream cheese cookie recipe
Also, as a thank you for visiting my site, I'd like to tell you about a great site that is giving away a FREE DVD Camcorder! Just click the following link and enter your Zipcode to see if the promotion is available in your area!
FREE DVD Camcorder
Great Blog! I also have a site about chocolatier supplies seattle
. You can check it out at chocolatier supplies seattle
Also, as a thank you for visiting my site, I'd like to tell you about a great site that is giving away a FREE DVD Camcorder! Just click the following link and enter your Zipcode to see if the promotion is available in your area!
FREE DVD Camcorder
I've just found your blog about gourmet coffee whilst I was looking for more information to add to my blog about gourmet coffee. You've got a great blog going here. It's always good to have more information about gourmet coffee. I've just started my own blog about gourmet coffee if you would like to take a look.
Keep up the good work.
I've just found your blog about which espresso manchines are best whilst I was looking for more information to add to my blog about which espresso manchines are best. You've got a great blog going here. It's always good to have more information about which espresso manchines are best. I've just started my own blog about which espresso manchines are best if you would like to take a look.
Keep up the good work.
Gorgeous!!!
can I have the recipe?
thanks (I am italian...)
Post a Comment
<< Home