CRANBERRY CHEESECAKE WITH CRANBERRY ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• 1. FOR CRANBERRY FILLING: Combine cranberries, sugar and fresh orange juice in heavy medium saucepan.
• 2. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
• 3. Reduce heat and simmer until berries pop and mixture thickens, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, about 10 minutes.
• 4. Cool cranberry filling completely.
• 5. FOR CHEESE FILLING: Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until well blended.
• 6. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating after each addition.
• 7. Set cheese filling aside.
• 8. FOR CRUST: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 9. Lightly butter 9-inch diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides.
• 10. Place cookie crumbs in medium bowl.
• 11. Add melted butter and blend until moist crumbs form.
• 12. Press onto bottom (not sides) of prepared pan.
• 13. Pour cheese filling over crust in pan.
• 14. Spoon 1 cup cranberry filling over cheese filling (reserve remaining cranberry filling for compote).
• 15. Using a small sharp knife, swirl to form marble pattern.
• 16. Bake until center of cheesecake is set, about 1 hour.
• 17. Transfer cheesecake to rack and maintain oven temperature.
• 18. PREPARE TOPPING: Mix sour cream, sugar and vanilla in small bowl.
• 19. Gently press down any raised edges of cheesecake.
• 20. Spoon topping over cake.
• 21. Bake 5 minutes.
• 22. Transfer cheesecake to rack and cool.
• 23. Cover and refrigerate over night.
• 24. (Cheesecake can be prepared 2 days in advance. Keep refrigerated)
• 25. Release pan sides and transfer cheesecake to platter.
• 26. Cut cheesecake into wedges and serve, passing compote separately.
• 27. CRANBERRY ORANGE COMPOTE: Combine sugar and water in heavy small saucepan.
• 28. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves and liquid appears clear.
• 29. Transfer to medium bowl and mix in 1 3/4 cups reserved cranberry filling and minced orange peel.
• 30. Using small sharp knife, cut peel and white pith from oranges.
• 31. Working over another bowl to catch juices, cut between membranes to release segments.
• 32. Add segments to bowl with juices.
• 33. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover oranges and cranberry filling separately and refrigerate.)
• 34. Add orange segments and juices to compote and serve.