Strawberry Cheesecake

1. Make the base:  Put 250g digestive biscuits in a plastic food bag and crush to crumbs using a rolling pin. Transfer the crumbs to a bowl, then pour over 100g melted butter. Mix thoroughly until the crumbs are completely coated. Tip them into the prepared glasses and press firmly down into the base to create an even layer. Chill in the fridge for 1 hr to set firmly.

1. Make the cheesecake:   Remove the vanilla seeds from 1 pod: Slice the vanilla pod in half lengthways, leaving the tip intact, so that the two halves are still joined. Holding onto the tip of the pod, scrape out the seeds using the back of a kitchen knife.

1. Make the filling:  Place 600g soft cheese, 100g icing sugar and the vanilla seeds in a bowl, then beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Tip in 250ml pot double cream and continue beating until the mixture is completely combined. Now spoon the cream mixture onto the biscuit base, Smooth the top of the cheesecake down with the back of a dessert spoon or spatula. Leave to set in the fridge overnight or even 4 hrs will do.

1. Make the Chocolate Surprise:  Melt some good quality dark chocolate using a double boiler,You can of course microwave it too in 10 sec spurts…but I prefer the double boiler method.. once melted, add in some cream and butter and whisk till smooth. Set aside to cool.
2. Get some chocolate shavings from the white chocolate. Simply take a peeler and peel at the bark.

1. Make the topping :
2. Combine the strawberries and honey in a medium saucepan and cook it over medium heat until hot and bubbly. Pour in the whiskey and stir to combine, then let it cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the butter until it melts.
   Mix together the lemon juice with the cornstarch, then pour it in. Continue cooking for 2-3 minute until thicker. Add the almond extract.
   Pour into a bowl and allow to cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours, or until chilled.

Ans : The cheesecake may have needed more time in the fridge. The mixture should be quite firm to begin with, but a long chilling time (preferably overnight) is essential to ensure the filling sets well.

3. Try a different flavour.
Ans : Lemon: Beat the finely grated zest & juice 2 lemons with the soft cheese & icing sugar instead of the vanilla seeds. Top with lemon curd & leave to chill. Raspberry: Replace strawberries with fresh raspberries. Passion fruit & mango: Make a delicious passion fruit sauce by sieving the pulp of 4 passion fruit and sweetening to taste with a little icing sugar. Top the cheesecake with chopped mango, then pour over the sauce, dotting the top with a few of the passion fruit seeds.

Of course try my mango cheesecake with caramel work!!
http://lapetitchef.blogspot.in/2014/07/mango-vanilla-cheesecake.html
http://lapetitchef.blogspot.in/2014/07/caramel-decorations-pro-style.html

4. Can’t get it out of the tin?
Ans: If you find the cake difficult to un-mould, then either let it sit for a little longer, or wipe the outside of the tin with a warm cloth. This heats the edges and should allow you to remove the tin easily