Little Ivy Cakes

Roasted Garlic and Herb Cheesecake

with a Spicy Walnut Crust

 
Global Gardens in Los Olivos, CA is a specialty food company that specialize in olive oil and things of this nature. You can become a member and get seasonal baskets from them or purchase their items separately. My lovely mother actually joined as a member and ordered me a seasonal basket. *how nice is that?* I received a beautiful bottle of olive oil, pomegranate balsamic vinegar, a colossal garlic bulb, and some yummy spicy walnuts.

Last week, I decided it was time to roast the garlic for dinner. In order to roast garlic, you do not need a garlic roaster. However, it does make is fun. Especially when you have a Buddy helper. :)

 It's worth spending about an hour and half making roasted garlic because the garlic is just yummy. :)
It has milder garlic taste but more flavor and it's soft with a bit of chewiness. You can use the garlic in a recipe, slice it up and toss with veggies for dinner, or spread it on some french bread with butter.

Roasted Garlic
-Preheat oven to 300F
-Slice about a 1/8 or 1/4 inch off the top and bottom of two regular size garlic bulbs, leaving the peel still on them. (as you can see in my picture I went a little backwards.oops!)
-Place the bulb onto the plate of the garlic roaster or in a small baking dish lined with aluminum foil coated with 1 Tbs olive oil.
-Place fresh herbs around the clove if you want and then sprinkle some salt and pepper over the clove.
-Drizzle olive oil all over the clove and herbs, about 1/4 cup.
-Cover the garlic with the lid of the roaster or aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
-Remove foil or lid to expose garlic to dry heat and bake another 40 minutes while basting with olive oil every 15 minutes or so.

I tossed some slices with green beans for dinner and then saved the rest to make my planned savory cheesecake.

The Walnut Crust:
1/2 cup Cheese it cracker crumbs
 1/4 cup finely chopped, spiced walnuts-
(Coat in a butter, honey, and cayenne sauce and bake for 10 minutes at 300 tossing occasionally)
1/4 cup melted butter
-Coat crumbs and walnuts with melted butter and then press lightly into a 3 ramekins LIKE THIS METHOD or mini spring form cake pans. Set aside.

Roasted Garlic Cheesecake Recipe
1 80z pack of cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
3 tbs corn starch
2 eggs
1 roasted garlic glove
2 tbs olive oil
fresh herbs
salt and pepper to taste

-Puree in a food processor, soft roasted garlic, fresh herbs like rosemary and sage, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Set aside.
-In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
-Add sour cream and then the cornstarch.
-Add eggs and milk
-Add roasted garlic mixture
-Place cake pans on a cookie sheet.
-Pour cheesecake batter into your cake pans and bake at 275 for about 30 minutes.
-Serve warm with bread or crackers or chill and serve as a cheese spread.

That's all for now, I hope you have a lovely weekend!