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The last strawberries this season


India has a strange strawberry season. They red berries come into the market end of January, just when winter has started to ebb into spring. And by mid-March, even before summer sets in, they are all gone. I have been doing a lot of strawberry eating past few weeks but I wanted to keep this cheesecake, a recipe I spotted in a magazine a few months back, for last.

Then, for a week, there were no strawberries to be seen and I thought I'd waited too long. That I'd have to wait another year to make this one. But then, this one last box made a miraculous appearance and here it is - the grand finale of strawberry season.

The magazine I picked the recipe from had a full scale 9" springform pan in mind. But I have it here adapted to my mini 3" tart tin. You start with the biscuit base. Break 4 digestive biscuits into 3-4 pieces each. Drop in a plastic bag and use your rolling pin to turn them into crumbs. Heat 30 grams butter in a microwave until just melted and pour on the crumbs. Mix well, then spread in the tart tin to make your biscuit base. Put this in the fridge for at least an hour to harden. At the same time, take out 80 grams of cream cheese to soften.

After an hour, mix the cream cheese with 30 grams caster sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla essence. Whisk until well blended. Add 2 tbsp heavy cream and keep beating until it is smooth. Spread on the biscuit base, making it as even as you can and leave to set it the fridge for a few hours or overnight.

Once the cheesecake has set, unmould and pile halved strawberries in the centre. Puree 4-5 strawberries with a tsp of sugar and pour on the cake. Then go find friends to share this last berry bounty of the season.
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Comments

notyet100 said…
whts the substitute for cream cheese ,..any specific brand to choose,..?tart looks yum,,..
March 23, 2010 at 8:10 PM
RV @ Food for 7 Stages said…
Looks yummilicous. A perfect dessert after a nice meal.
March 23, 2010 at 8:14 PM
Suma said…
Looks really delicious!!
March 23, 2010 at 8:38 PM
Bombay Foodie said…
Notyet100 - I use Philadelphia cream cheese. I don't think there's any other brand you can substitute, but I am going to try this again with homemade mascarpone.
March 23, 2010 at 9:51 PM
Parita said…
I think mascarpone cheese would be a good option, especially its very easy to make it at home, do give it a try!
March 23, 2010 at 10:07 PM
FewMinute Wonders said…
Hi Simran,

I am glad that you got the last strawberries in season and came up with something this delicious. I got your mail. I will send in my list soon.
March 23, 2010 at 11:54 PM
Veggie Hut said…
thats an absolute treat..
March 24, 2010 at 2:15 PM
Suma Gandlur said…
Thats sounds simple and looks lovely. :)
March 25, 2010 at 4:52 AM
Poonam said…
this looks great! iv made a lemon flavored version of this and am waiting to try it with mascarpone,,
March 25, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Miri said…
The season isn't that strange actually - thats when the temps are at the most suitable. What is summer in Western countries is still 25C tops I would think - those kind of temps are done with in India by March...

The dessert looks amazing!
March 26, 2010 at 9:44 AM
Unknown said…
I haven't ever made a cheesecake yet!! Soon! This one looks so good :)
April 9, 2010 at 1:09 PM
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