Cheese Torta Recipes

GOAT CHEESE TORTA

Steps:

• Line a 6-inch springform pan with plastic wrap, and sprinkle half of the coconut and pecans evenly onto the bottom. Beat together the cream cheese, goat cheese, honey, and cinnamon in a bowl until no lumps of cheese remain. Spread half of the cheese into the springform pan, then spread the cranberry sauce on top. Carefully spread the remaining cheese over the cranberry sauce, and sprinkle with the remaining coconut and pecans. Cover the torta with a sheet of plastic wrap, and press down firmly to pack. Refrigerate overnight before serving. Remove the springform pan and plastic wrap to serve.

GOAT CHEESE TORTA

Steps:

• Line an 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch loaf pan with parchment paper; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until smooth. Add goat cheese, in batches, and beat until well combined and no lumps of butter remain. Season with salt and pepper; beat until well combined.
• Divide goat cheese mixture into 3 equal portions. Using an offset spatula, carefully spread one portion of the goat cheese mixture over the bottom of the prepared terrine mold; top with pesto, spreading evenly to cover.
• Spread a second portion of goat cheese mixture on top of the pesto and top with jam, spreading evenly to cover. Top with remaining portion of goat cheese mixture; cover with plastic wrap. Transfer to refrigerator and chill until firm. Slice crosswise and serve with crackers.

OMA'S COTTAGE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Melt butter in an 8 inch square pan. Stir in graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Pat over bottom and onto sides of dish. Set aside.
• In a blender, combine cottage cheese, milk, eggs, flour, lemon juice, vanilla, 2/3 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Blend until smooth. Pour into prepared crust.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until filling is firm. Allow to cool completely.

LAYERED CHEESE TORTA

Steps:

• Combine the first 4 ingredients in a bowl. Beat at medium speed with mixer until blended; stir in pecans.
• Line a lightly greased 4-cup fluted mold or a 7 3/8 x 3 5/8-inch loaf pans with plastic wrap, allowing edges to extend over the sides of pan.
• Spread 1/3 of blue cheese mixture into mold and chill 1 hour.
• Combine remaining 3 ounce package of cream cheese and milk, beating well. Add cheddar cheese and next 3 ingredients, mixing well. Spread over chilled blue cheese mixture in mold. Top with remaining 2/3 of blue cheese mixture, spreading.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 8 hours or up to 3 days.
• Unmold onto a serving plate; remove plastic wrap and garnish.
• Serve with ginger snaps or assorted crackers.

ELEGANT CHEESE TORTE

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Remove 3-1/2 cups to a small bowl; stir in pepper and set aside. Fold olives into the remaining cream cheese mixture. Spread evenly over the bottom of a 9-in. springform pan; set aside., In another large bowl, beat cheddar cheese, cider and paprika on low speed for 1 minute. Beat on high until almost smooth. Spread half over olive layer. Top with peppered cheese mixture. Top with remaining cheddar mixture. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for 6 hours or until firm., Place on serving plate and remove sides of pan. Press pecans into top; garnish with additional olives or grapes if desired. Serve with crackers.

INSTANT PESTO TORTA WITH BREAD AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Line a small shallow dish or bowl with plastic wrap or waxed paper. Coat wrap with vegetable spray. Arrange a pattern in bottom of the dish using the sun-dried tomatoes and basil. Add 1 1/2 tubs of garlic and herb cheese (about half a pound) to the dish and smooth over, then layer in the sun-dried tomato spread and the pesto. Spread the remaining cheese on top of the pesto. Place a serving plate over the bowl and invert the bowl. Hold on to the edges of the waxed paper or wrap to release the cheese. Remove the waxed paper or plastic wrap. Arrange the sliced baguette along 1 side of the torta.
• Arrange carrots and tomatoes along the opposite side of the torta.

BASIL AND CHEESE TORTA

Steps:

• With electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, scraping sides of bowl as needed.
• Set aside.
• Prepare Pesto: In a blender or food processor, whirl to a paste the basil, parmesan or romano cheese, and olive oil.
• Stir in pine nuts.
• Set aside.
• Cut cheesecloth squares about 10-12" square to line custard cups (It needs to be able to cover the bottom, go up the sides and still have some to fold over the top of the torta).
• If you use the really loose weave stuff (standard grocery store cheesecloth), you'll need two pieces per custard cup.
• Moisten the cheesecloth with water, wring dry and lay two sheets out flat on top of each other.
• Smoothly line your custard cups with the cheesecloth (this can be a bit tricky, but it doesn't have to be perfectly smooth).
• With your fingers or a flexible rubber spatula, spread a thin layer (about 1/2 inch) of the cheese mixture in a lined custard cup.
• Cover with 1/4-/12 inch pesto.
• Put another layer of cheese.
• If you can, do another layer of pesto and cheese, so you end up with 3 cheese layers and 2 pesto layers.
• Two layers of cheese and one of pesto works if that's the way it comes out.
• Fold the ends of the cheesecloth neatly over the top of the torta and press down lightly with fingers.
• Repeat with remaining cheese and pesto.
• I get 5 large custard cups or 6 small cups plus one large cup from this quantity of ingredients.
• Chill until tortas are firm when pressed (at least 2 hrs, I usually just let them go overnight).
• Remove from custard cups by gently pulling on the cheesecloth around the edges.
• Remove the cheesecloth and wrap the torta tightly in two layers of saran wrap.
• Seal in sandwich size ziplock freezer bags and place in freezer.
• To serve: Remove from freezer and thaw (overnight in frig works well).
• Bring to near room temp and srve with sliced baguettes and crisp raw vegetables.
• Variation: For a large party, do one massive torta in a charlotte mold, loaf pan or a clean clay flowerpot.
• You'll end up with 7-8 layers of each filling in this one.
• I wouldn't freeze this size, but it will keep in the frig for up to 5 days.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND PESTO TORTA

Steps:

• Finely chop garlic in processor. Add basil, 1/4 cup pine nuts, oil and lemon juice. Process until well blended. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Using on/off turns, process just until blended. Transfer pesto to medium bowl.
• Coarsely chop tomatoes in processor. Add tomato paste and process until mixture is almost smooth. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese and blend well.
• Using electric mixer, beat 2 cups cream cheese and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spray 6-cup soufflé dish with nonstick spray. Line with plastic wrap, extending plastic over sides. Spread 3/4 cup cream cheese-butter mixture evenly over bottom of prepared dish. Top with half of tomato mixture, then 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture, then half of pesto mixture. Repeat layering with 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture, remaining tomato mixture, 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture and remaining pesto. Top with remaining cream cheese-butter mixture. Cover and chill overnight. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Invert torta onto platter. Peel off plastic. Garnish with basil sprigs and toasted pine nuts. Serve with baguette slices.

CHEESE TORTA

Steps:

• Bring the goat cheese, cream cheese and butter to room temperature. Place the garlic and shallot in a food processer fitted with the steel blade. Process 10 seconds. Add the goat cheese, cream cheese, butter and vermouth and process until smooth. Place the pistachios in a small bag and crush into small pieces (but not into crumbs) with a flat mallet or rolling pin. Set aside. Chop the rinsed and drained sundried tomatoes and set aside. Coat the inside of a 2-cup, straight sided container with vegetable spray and line with plastic wrap. Sprinkle the bottom of the container with half of the sundried tomatoes, half of the basil, half of the pistachios and half of the bleu cheese. Spread with half of the goat cheese mixture. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, ending with the goat cheese mixture. Wrap the container and chill for one hour. Invert torta onto a serving platter and gently remove container and plastic wrap. Garnish with reserved basil leaf and serve with crackers or toasted baguette.

BLACK BEAN AND CHEESE TORTA

Steps:

• Toss lettuce with radishes, onions, vinegar, salt and pepper; set aside.
• Remove bread from insides of bolillo halves, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells; reserve removed bread for snacking or another use. Spread insides of shells evenly with mayo. Spoon beans into bottom halves of bolillos; top with Singles. Place on rack of broiler pan.
• Broil 2 min. or until Singles are melted. Top with lettuce mixture; cover with tops of bolillos.

RICOTTA CHEESE TORTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with rack in center. Lightly coat a 7-inch round spring-form pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs, coating evenly.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, parsley, marjoram, mint, and zest. Add ricotta and salt; season with pepper. Stir to combine. Pour into prepared pan.
• Bake until top is deep golden brown and firm to the touch, about 1 hour.
• Place pan on a plate to catch juices. Let stand until torta pulls away from sides, about 10 minutes. Remove from pan; serve warm or at room temperature.