Sandi is blogging from the WhistleStop Cafe kitchen. It's all about good home cooking; food, family and fun. Thousands of posts . . .

~In the south and around the world.



Sunday, June 15, 2008

Slow Sunday CheeseCake

Our task this week for the Sunday Slow Bakers was Torta di Ricotta. It was my week to choose and I am a little nutty about cheesecake. Gina DePalma calls it Obsessive Ricotta Cheesecake in her cookbook 'Dolce Italiano'.
Rather than list the entire recipe (it's on page 96) I'll describe the process. It is a ricotta based cheesecake with 8 oz of cream cheese. The addition of amaretto and candied orange and lemon adds a nice citrusy flavor, but changes the texture. The base of the cheesecake is a yummy crust of crushed sliced almonds with a touch of vanilla. The thin nutty crust is a perfect compliment to the cheesecake.
As I said, I am obsessive about cheesecake. I have posted a couple of recipes Lemoncello Cheesecake , and Orange Cheesecake. This is usually my dessert of choice to take to any event. With a lot of practice, I have learned to make a cheesecake without cracks~ stirring gently, tapping out air bubbles, baking slowly in a water bath, cooling gently in the oven.
Even with all those tricks, this cheesecake wasn't 'perfect'. I was a little disappointed with the texture and the huge crack in the top. It was still good with a cup of coffee.
G-daddy will love it when I take it for our Father's Day lunch.

He spent years making the desserts for the WhistleStop Cafe. Customers agree that the desserts just haven't been the same since he retired. His specialty was the Mississippi Mud and a Banana Split Pie. Now those are some obsessive desserts!

Happy Father's Day y'all!
Sandi

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sure your family loves to gather at your house for all your delectable and loving meals! I'm envious! I don't have your knack in the kitchen for sure!
Brenda

Tonja said...

This sounds so good! My mom is the cheesecake baker in our family. She makes one with just the tiniest hint of lemon...very good.


Have a good week...and stay out of this heat!

PAT said...

Looks yummy, Sandi.

Pat

Naturegirl said...

Sandi this one is to die for!! A cheesecake lover! Thank you for the comment on my ~Special Delivery!~
Did you ever get my email re: Italy?

Nnairda's said...

Sounds yummy! I haven't baked a cheesecake in ages.

Enjoy today!

Adriann

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I forgot about Banana Split pie or as I make cake. It is sooo good...Mary

Anonymous said...

Nice looking torta di ricotta. I can't believe that we haven't carved into mine yet. I tell you though, if Paolo doesn't get a ruch on with dinner I make skip it and just go for dessert!

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

I have a cousin who loves any and all cheesecake variations -- I'm sending this recipe to him.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Brenda~ You just have to get in the kitchen and knock around... good smells will bring them in.
Tonja~ you too, stay cool.
Nature Girl~ Yes, Sienna is amazing. Watch out for the man in the red cap!
Adriann~ Cheesecake doesn't have to be hard to make.
Mary~ that banana split pie is ridiculous
Lydia~ I'll be interested to see what his opinion is.

kari and kijsa said...

MMMMMmmmmm!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

Kathy said...

Hi Sandi, I have been meaning to visit for a few days now and thank you for stopping by Lincoln Cathedral, I was literally drooling over your Torta de Ricotta then I saw the recipe (and Photos) for Lemoncello Cheesecake I would have been here a lot sooner had I realised that you were a master chef, we purchased a bottle of Lemoncello in Ischia last year and now I know exactly what I am going to do with it!!. :) thank you so much, your blog is wonderful. ciao for now, Kathy.

bethanyjg said...

That looks and sounds delicious!

Anonymous said...

This sounds like the perfect Sunday to me! Wonderful!

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Kathy~ Not me! I am no master chef. Just a plain old southern cook. :-)
(Who likes to eat good food)

lululu said...

Hmmmm....really delicious cheesecake!

Anonymous said...

Oh my. This is so delicious! Yummy! I haven't had the chance to make a cheesecake again for the longest time. Time to make one again!

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