Cheddar Chili Cheesecake

Description

A savory cheesecake.

Ingredients

• 1½ tbsp butter (for pan)
• ¼ cup fine breadcrumbs, toasted
• ¼ cup finely grated cheddar cheese
• 6 oz thinly sliced ham
• 1½ lbs cream cheese, room temperature
• ¾ lb sharp cheddar, grated
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• ¾ cup chopped green onion
• 4 eggs
• 3 tbsp jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 garlic clove, halved

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Butter a 9" springform pan.
3. Mix breadcrumbs and ¼ cup cheddar.
4. Sprinkle mixture into pan, turning to coat.
5. Refrigerate.
6. Dice about half of ham; reserve remaining slices.
7. Mix diced ham with remaining ingredients in blender or processor until smooth.
8. Pour slightly more than half of filling into prepared pan.
9. Top with reserved ham slices in even layer.
10. Cover with remaining filling.
11. Set pan on baking sheet.
12. Bake 1¼ hours.
13. Turn oven off and cool cheesecake about 1 hour with door ajar.
14. Transfer cheesecake to rack.
15. Remove sides of pan.
16. Cool to room temperature before serving.