GREEN CHILE CHEESECAKE WITH PAPAYA SALSA WILSON

Green Chile Cheesecake with Papaya Salsa Wilson image

Provided by Sondra Wilson

Number Of Ingredients 22

Previous Next

For crust
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup blue cornmeal*
1/4 cup boiling water
For filling
8 fresh green chiles such as Anaheim or poblano
1 1/2 cups sour cream
2 large eggs
1 pound cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 1/2 cups grated sharp Cheddar (about 6 ounces)
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
For salsa
1/2 papaya
1 garlic clove
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 red bell pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
*available at Latino markets and specialty foods shops

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Make crust:
Melt butter and in a bowl stir together with cornmeal and water. Press mixture onto bottom of a 10-inch springform pan.
Make filling:
Roast and peel chiles and cut off tops. Discard seeds and ribs and finely chop chiles. In a food processor blend sour cream and eggs. Add cream cheese and butter and blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a bowl and stir in chiles, cheeses, dill, cilantro, and salt to taste. Pour filling over crust and bake in middle of oven 45 minutes, or until center is just set. Cool cheesecake completely in pan on a rack.
Make salsa:
Peel and seed papaya and coarsely chop (you will have about 1 cup). Mince garlic. In a bowl stir together papaya, garlic, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve cheesecake with salsa.