Breakfast Cheesecake

Quick viaually appealing breakfast cheesecake begins with breadcrumb crust filled with a cream cheese, asiago cheese, egg, oregano, and hot red pepper. Cheesecake is baked in a pringform pan, cooled and served warm.

Ingredients -

1 cup Fine Breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
1 (16 ounces) package Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 pound Aged Asiago Cheese, grated
4 Large Eggs
1 tablespoon minced Fresh Oregano
1/8 teaspoon crushed Red Pepper
1/4 teaspoon Coarse Salt

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and breadcrumbs.

3. Butter an 8-inch springform pan. Press breadcrumbs against bottom and sides of pan.

4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese with asiago cheese. Use hand mixer to blend cheeses.

5. Add eggs 1 at a time to cheeses, and mix well.

6. Add fresh oregano, red pepper, and coarse salt.

7. Pour cheese mixture over breadcrumbs. Bake until golden brown and set in the center.

8. Remove from oven. Let stand 10 minutes. Remove ring from springform pan.

9. Cool cheesecake 20 minutes before serving.

Variations and Recipe Ideas:

Cooking Tip

Springform Pan

Springform pans have a round base and a band that fits into a groove in the base and locks into place. The cheesecake crust is pressed against the sides and bottom of the pan, the filling goes in, and after baking and cooling the band is removed.

Cooking Tip

Aged Asiago Cheese

Asiago is an italian cheese and has a flavor similar to parmesan. Aged Asiago cheese and can be found in both grated and chunk form at most supermarkets and gourmet specialty stores.

Brunch Tip

Have enough tables settings and glassware for everyone. Place everything within easy reach so people can realx and enjoy themselves. It’s a good idea to have extra chinet style paper plates available as backup.