Cheese/91 recipes

Espresso cheesecake with a toasted hazelnut-cocoa crust, baked in a water bath for a silky, crack-free finish. Reduced espresso and Kahlua deliver bold coffee flavor in every bite.

Light almond sponge cake layers stack with blueberry ricotta filling and whipped cream, then get crowned with fresh berries for a patriotic red, white, and blue celebration dessert.

Savory Italian spinach torta with mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and toasted pine nuts baked in a Dijon-brushed pie crust. A stunning brunch or dinner centerpiece that's golden, cheesy, and herb-filled.

Low-calorie marbled chocolate cheesecake made with cottage cheese, gelatin, cocoa, and whipped egg whites on a cocoa-vanilla wafer crust. No baking required.

No-cook chocolate ricotta pie with whipped cream and a fluffy mousse-like texture. Italian-style filling chills into a fudgy slice in a pre-baked crust, no oven required for the filling.

Crawfish tails baked in a rich custard of cream, eggs, and Swiss cheese with sautéed vegetables, cognac, and sautérne. A Cajun-French quiche that's pure indulgence.

Light pumpkin praline cheesecake: low-fat cottage cheese stands in for cream cheese, wheat germ replaces graham crumbs in the crust, and pumpkin pie spice carries the flavor. Topped with maple-drizzled pecans.

Roasted beef tenderloin rubbed with cracked black pepper, fennel, red pepper flakes, and nutmeg. Served with a light horseradish-dill sauce made from blended cottage cheese.

Bacon and sharp cheddar quiche with green onions sautéed in bacon drippings, a half-and-half custard, and a kick of cayenne and dry mustard. Rich, savory, and sliceable for dinner or party appetizers.

Vegetarian garbanzo bean burgers spiced with cumin, coriander, and chili powder, bound with cottage cheese and wheat germ. Served in whole wheat pita with tomato, sprouts, and yogurt.

Three layer pumpkin pie with a spiced pumpkin filling, brown sugar pecan streusel, and a creamy vanilla cream cheese topping. Makes two showstopper pies for Thanksgiving.

Nutty Mississippi mud pie stacks toasted pecans and walnuts under a tangy cream cheese layer, then crowns it with stovetop chocolate pudding. A no-bake-friendly Southern dessert that yields two pies.

The low-calorie rice pudding flan is so delicious by itself that you may want to save the calories and fat in the crust, and serve it without the pastry.

Tostado quiche with taco-seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, and green chiles baked in a custard-filled pie shell. Topped with fresh guacamole, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Taffy-apple cheesecake pie with caramelized apples, melted caramels, cream cheese filling, and a pecan-chocolate chip crumble. A fall dessert that combines caramel apples and cheesecake in every bite.

A loaded tamale pie with ground beef, bacon, corn, and green chiles in a cornmeal crust, topped with a melted Monterey Jack and egg layer. Tex-Mex comfort baked in a pie pan.