Savory Artichoke Cheescake

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
• 1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
• 2 pkgs. (8 oz.each)cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup(4 oz.)crumbled feta cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3 large eggs
• 1 pkg.(9 oz.)frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
• 1 medium red pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• 1 large clove garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed
• Rye and pumpernickel toast points

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. With butter, grease inside of 9-inch springform pan. Sprinkle with bread crumbs to coat thickly; reserve remaining crumbs . Set pan aside.

2. In large bowl of electric mixer, at medium-high speed, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add feta, sour cream and eggs; beat until blended and smooth. Pat dry and finely chop artichoke hearts; add to bowl with cheese mixture. Beat in chopped pepper, onions, garlic, tarragon and basil until blended. Spoon into prepared pan; spread evenly.

3. Bake 35 minutes, or until puffed and golden. Cool on wire rack to room temperature; refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.

4. Remove springform side. Pat remaining bread crumbs onto side of cheesecake. If desired, garnish top of cheesecake with fresh basil leaves, red pepper strips and cooked artichoke hearts. To serve, slice cheesecake in wedges; serve with toast points.

Submitted 6/13/05.
Source: McCall's Best Recipes /1990
Submitted By: Linda Wilson
lwilson@gatecom.com
Savory Artichoke Cheescake