Caramel Apple Cheesecake

The Caramel Apple Cheesecake at Rachel’s Delectables is inspired by FoodNetwork Diva Paula Deen.  However, the basic base cheesecake that is the standard ingredient base in all of cheesecakes is used with the addition of caramel that is the dominant flavor of the cake.  Bits of caramel also can be tasted in bites of this delectable dessert.  The crust is a vanilla wafer crumb crust.  The apple topping has a hint of cinnamon and is drizzled with caramel.  Nuts can be added at the request of the customer.   Aren’t you ready to sit down and enjoy a slice right now!

Different kinds of cheesecake

Cream Cheese, Neufchatel, Ricotta or Mascarpone, Goat Cheese, Farmer’s Cheese, Cottage Cheese, and Quark are all used to make cheesecakes.  In the United States we are most familiar with cheesecakes made with Cream Cheese.  The French are known for using Neufchatel in their cheesecakes.

Ricotta or Marcarpone Cheese is used in an Authentic Italian cheesecake.  Pennsylvania Dutch- style cheesecake uses Farmer’s Cheese.  German-style cheesecake known as Käsesahnetorte uses Quark cheese adds cream and is not baked.

The list goes on and on, there are so many different kinds of cheesecakes to explore.  It is rather intriguing to study the origin and ingredients and methods of preparation and/or baking as some are baked and others are not.

Cheesecakes aren't always sweet....

Cheesecakes don't always have to be smooth, creamy and sweet.  Savory cheesecakes have the same presentation as the dessert cheesecake, but are made without sugar and can include ingredients such as feta cheese, blue cheese, smoked salmon, mushrooms, onions, garlic, dill, basil, sundried tomatoes, broccoli, artichoke hearts, bacon..... the list can be as long as the list of pizza toppings. 

Savory cheesecakes make an outstanding choice for a party platter, first course or hors d'oeuvres.

New York Style Cheesecake

Well, the verdict is not in......there seem to be contradictory information regarding New York Style Cheesecake.  Some say it is made with heavy cream, others say New York Style incorporates sour cream.   Well at Rachel's Delectables, our recipe used the sour cream method.  Since, it is up in the air whether that is the authentic New York Style, we now call that particular cake Rachel's Plain Cheesecake.  Haven't had an unsatisfied customer yet!

Tiropita

Tiropita is a Greek style cheesecake that is made with Mizithra. Mizithra is unpasteurized fresh cheese made with milk and whey. Tiropita is baked in layers of phyllo dough. The filling is a Mizithra-egg mixture. Sounds similar to a fruit turnover stuffed with the cheese-egg mixture instead of a sweetened fruit mixture. I enjoy Greek food. I'm not sure whether I have noticed this item on any menus of Greek restaurants that I have visited. Perhaps it was there and I was handicapped by a lack of education.

Aegimius and Cheesecake

Earliest documentation of cheesecake is from Aegimius, a Greek physician. He found even in Greek times that there was an art to baking cheesecake. I truly agree with him. Cheesecake baking is a skill that has to be cultivated and refined for perfection. The end result is worth the artful methodology.