CHEF'S SELECTIONS
W
hether visions of sugarplums are dancing in your head, or you’re toasting the approaching new year, these desserts are sure to brighten holiday celebrations before any New Year’s resolutions take effect. Throw caution to the wind and satisfy your sweet tooth with Our Town’s assortment of December Desserts submitted by Lexington locals. We wish you a joyous holiday season and delicious merriment as you enjoy these tasty treats! 3.
4.
5.
6.
Easy New York Style Cheesecake with Raspberry Purée Submitted by: Kevin Boyd, Diablo’s Southwest Grill INGREDIENTS: 16 oz. cream cheese 1 3/4 c. sugar, divided 1/2 c. sour cream 2 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 lemon, cut in half 2 12 oz. packs of fresh raspberries* 1 store-bought large graham cracker pie crust
26 December 26 December 2023 2023
DIRECTIONS: For Cheesecake: 1. In a blender/food processor, add cream cheese, 1 c. sugar, vanilla, eggs, sour cream, and ½ squeezed lemon. Use a fine mesh strainer to catch lemon seeds. 2. Blend until completely smooth, and no clumps of cream cheese are visible; about 5 to 6 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. We will be baking this in a water bath using a large foil pan to fit the pie crust, with about 1 1/2” of water filling the pan. Fill pie crust with cheesecake mix, set into water pan. Water should cover the pie pan foil halfway. Place in center rack of oven uncovered; bake for 1 hr. 15 min. Pie should be firm with mild browning on top. Remove from oven; remove from water pan and chill in refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hrs.
For Purée: 1. In a blender/food processor, add raspberries, other half of lemon squeezed using strainer to catch seeds, 3/4 c. sugar. 2. Blend until completely smooth, about 5 minutes. 3. Use fine mesh strainer to strain finished purée; catch raspberry seeds. 4. Chill in refrigerator for a few hours to cool. 5. Serve poured over chilled cheesecake. * Strawberries can be substituted, and no strainer is necessary.
