Lentil Cheesecake and a Zenker Giveaway
Happy Halloween, yo!! Have you decided what you’re going to be for Halloween yet? I think I’m gonna go as a Birthday Girl – cause today I’m officially jumping feet first into my late 20’s! 27, baby!! And I’m celebrating with cheesecake.
And almost healthy cheesecake at that. Jessica Seinfeld eat your heart out – cause this baby has lentils in it!
I wish I could take credit for this recipe in its entirety – but the credit all but goes to my sister in law, Michelle who – just yesterday – crossed into the Quarter Century Club! Two birthdays, two sisters and one cheesecake. Let the throwdown begin!
Michelle is a whiz in the kitchen, to the Nth degree. A few years ago she whipped up this cheesecake for a recipe contest for the National Lentil Festival back in our college town of Pullman, WA – Where WSU is located. Go Cougs! Yes – there is a National Lentil Festival and in the Palouse, it’s a Big. Deal.
Anyway – this recipe was so good, that it was actually pulled out of the general competition and was named the winner of the “I Hate Lentils” contest. Kinda crap when a fab recipe can’t compete with the others cause it’s “too good”…but at least we know it’s epic.
Into the food processor I tossed a pound of gingersnap cookies and beat them into a pulp.
Adding a little butter and brown sugar to ’em and they were ready to be pressed into a prepped springform pan. Now me and cheesecakes don’t normally get along since the wrapping of the base to create a water proof seal inevitably fails to the max leaving a perfectly done cheesecake on top with a soupy mess hidden underneath… so much fun. Or a stabbing waiting to happen.
But the Zenker busted out for this beauty and changed all that. Opened my eyes and made me sing, really off tune.
Next into the food processor went the cream cheese, sugar, lentils, eggs, vanilla and the pumpkin pie spice. Whip into oblivion and into the pan it goes. Simple!
This beast locked down all possible leaks and came with an interchangeable fluted base so you can switch ’em out for a plain or pretty design. Baking fun at its finest.
Pour the cream cheese goo into the pan, bake at 350 for about a hour and you’re golden. Like the top of the cheesecake.
Viola!! And if you’re feeling really daring – cause between you and me, I know you are – add a chocolate ganache to the top. Sweet, spicy and gingered to the max – this is gonna have you singing off key, too. We’re not trying out for The Voice, so off tune singing is totally acceptable.
And so is healthified cheesecake.
~GIVEAWAY CLOSED~
The winner is:
Print
Lentil Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cooling Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Description
This healthified cheesecake is made with lentils, but you’d never know it! It’s sweet, spicy, gingery, and topped with a decadent chocolate ganache.
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 pound Gingersnaps
- 4 Tbsp Butter, melted
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
Cheesecake:
- 1 1/2 cup Cooked Lentils (1/2 cup dry)
- 2 8oz Cream Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups Brown Sugar
- 1 ½ tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 3 Eggs
- 1 Tbsp Vanilla
Topping:
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips
- ¼ cup Butter
- ¼ cup Whipping Cream
Instructions
Prep:
- To cook lentils, add 1/2 cup dry lentils to small saucepan. Add 1 1/2 cups water over the top. Cover and put on stove on high.
- When they begin to boil, turn down to low to simmer. Simmer for about 30 minutes or until they are tender all the way through.
- Put into a sieve and drain excess water from the lentil. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In food processor, pulse gingersnaps, brown sugar. Pour into bowl.
- Mix in melted butter. Press into spring form pan.
For Cheesecake:
- In food processor, cream together cooled cooked lentils, brown sugar, cream cheese, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla.
- While food processor is on, blend in one egg at a time, allowing a few seconds in between additions of eggs. When mixture is smooth, pour into prepared springform pan.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes or until the middle of the cheesecake registers 145 degrees. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack.
- Cool for two hours and then put in fridge and chill for at least 6 hours.
For Chocolate Ganache:
- In microwave safe bowl on half power, heat chocolate, cream and butter for 30 seconds. Stir, and continue to heat in 15 second intervals stirring in between each interval.
- When smooth, pour over cooled cheesecake and smooth to distribute evenly. Allow to harden.
- Slice and serve cheesecake.
Notes
Original Lentil Streusel Cheesecake from Michelle Keno. Adapted by Megan Keno.
~Fine Print ~ This giveaway will end on Wednesday November 7th. Winner will be notified by e-mail and have 48 hours to respond. Deal? Deal. One of these was given to me by BigKitchen to test out in my own kitchen and giveaway. All opinions are my own.
My favorite is a plain, old-fashioned Philly-style cheesecake: dense and rich and not healthy but oh so good!
My favorite cheesecake is the kind that’s in my mouth! I seriously love any and all cheesecake but the favorite I’ve made was a cinnamon roll cheesecake that got rave reviews from family.
I want to wake up every holiday morning and find a Le Creuset Truffle Stoneware French Press Coffee Maker on my table. Wouldn’t that be heaven, especially if a cheese cake was next to it?
I followed BigKitchen on Pinterest (asthenight / Deborah Rosen).
I like Wanna Be A Country Cleaver on Facebook.
I follow CountryCleaver on Twitter @AsTheNight.
How fun and unique! I’m intrigued. I love any cheesecake…do I have to choose a favorite?
PS: HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I follow Megan Pence/Keno – Country Cleaver on Pinterest (asthenight – Deborah Rosen).
I love a rich, dense NY style baked cheesecake with a fruit topping like strawberries, cherries or blueberries. I’m a simple girl.
Love the Big Kitchen site! So many things to browse. I’ve got my eye on that LEKUE GOURMET TERRACOTTA SILICONE 18 CAVITY MINI SAVARIN BAKING TRAY in red. Very cool, especially for the holidays!
I follow you on Pinterest, but I’m now following Big Kitchen as well. Great boards!
I’m totally intrigued by this lentil cheesecake concept, Megan! Just a heads up – the lentils are shown in the headnotes, but I’m not seeing mention of them in the actual recipe. 🙂
I think turtle cheesecake is my favorite !
My sister ones made a chocolate espresso cheesecake that was just divine! Yum!
The ‘Tis the Season ceramic snowman shaped plates are so cute and would be wonderful this holiday!!
I follow you on pinterest
I follow Big Kitchen on pinterest
I like you on FB
I’ve had a lot of good cheesecakes in my life, but I think my mother-in-law’s is probably the best. It’s so dense and heavy, we eat it very rarely, but that makes it even more of a special treat. 🙂
My husband and I have really been getting back into hot tea lately, so I’d love one of the iron Japanese tea kettle/cup sets from Big Kitchen for the holidays!
I’m following Big Kitchen’s boards on Pinterest
Already liked you on Facebook! 🙂
Following you on Twitter
Following the Country Cleaver boards on Pinterest
So since it’s healthy, that means I get multiple slices, right? Riiiiight? That’s what I thought 🙂 cheesecake pans scurrr me but I am willing to face my fear in the name of healthy cheesecake!
My favorite cheesecake is a thick, uber-dense NY style cheesecake with a little raspberry sauce or salted caramel drizzled underneath it on the plate.
I think pumpkin cheesecake would be my favorite right now, followed closely by chocolate cheesecake. I love eating cheesecake but a little scared to make it myself.
I’d follow you to the ends of the earth, but for now we’ll have to settle for Google Reader, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Following Big Kitchen on Pinterest.
I love key lime cheesecake… Yum!
And I really want the le creuset stoneware in cherry!
My favorite cheescake is the traditional Philly style. It is my sons favorite dessert. In fact he requests cheesecake every year, instead of a birthday cake!
Where has Big Kitchen been all my life?! I could definitely get lost in their pie/pastry section! The fall edge crimper is too cute!
GORGEOUS photos!!!!
Happy Birthday, Megan!! I hope you have a great day. P.S. Need this cheesecake shoved into my face. Love!
Seems like cheating, but my favorite cheesecake is carrot cake cheesecake…. *embarrassed*
I am getting ready to make my favourite right now – a sweet potato cheesecake with coconut streusel.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I owe you a beer 🙂
My mom once made a pumpkin cheesecake with pralines, it was so delicious but she said it took too much work to make it again. Boo! It is on my list of things to bake someday.
I’m not normally a cheesecake eater, but I did make a cinnamon cream cheese coffee cake a few months ago that ended up amazing.
I follow you on Facebook.
I follow you on Twitter.
Wait…what? It’s your birthday? Happy birthday!!! This cheesecake looks wonderful, especially it comes with lentils. Scrumptious! Hope your special day is filled with so many great stories and cheers to a wonderful journey!
My favorite cheesecake: Tuxedo (cookies n cream cheesecake).
We love a special cheesecake we make with dried cranberries soaked in Jack Daniel’s whiskey, orange zest and a toasted walnut crust – yummm!!
New York Cheesecake!
Checked out the BigKitchen site – for me right now it would be the Le Crueset french press – any color – they are all wonderful!!
NY cheesecake
I just love a good plain cheesecake!
I follow you on Twitter!
I love Huckleberry Cheesecake!
I follow you on facebook!
I follow you on Twitter!
I follow you on Pinterest!
Megan, I think you’ve got to be one of the coolest people on the planet. Seriously. LENTIL cheesecake, you are a woman after my own heart! I love hiding veggies eeeeeeeeeeeeeeverywhere and making a cheesecake out of them is not only something I could not have come up with on my own, but it needs to be a part of my household on the daily. This recipe rocks! Happy Halloween!
ooo my fav cheesecake ever is the classic new york cheesecake with strawberry – or any fruit topping!
I like a simple ny cheesecake.
Oh my gosh, it took me all day to read this and now it’s 10:54 (although I guess it’s really only 7:54pm for you) and I’m just now wishing you happy birthday! Yay late 20s! Can you fast forward 3 years and join the 30 club with me? I feel old…
And the lentil thing….crazy. I HAVE to try this.
You are SO young—enjoy!! 🙂
And I think your cheesecake will be my favorite! that looks awesome!
I loved your bake sale too–what a great event.
Bless you and may the year ahead be the best ever!!!!
I love chocolate chip cheesecake.
I just found your site and have been having such fun reading. ‘Am fastinated by the Lentil Cheesecake and would love to try making (and eating!) it. Unfortunately, I do not have a springform pan (hint, hint!) so cheesecakes are wish list items now. I think the last cheesecake I made was the Classic Philadelphia Cream Cheese recipe topped with cherries; I’m talking sometime in the 60’s or 70’s. However, if I should win the a Zenker pan, here come the lentils!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
My favorite cheesecake is from a restaurant in the UK…honeycomb smashed cheesecake!
I love the Boston Warehouse Be Thankful Earthenware Salt & Pepper Shaker Set! Too cute!
I follow Big Kitchen on Pinterest.
I like Big Kitchen on FB.
I like you on FB.
I follow you on Twitter.
I follow you on Pinterest. Happy belated Birthday!
My fave cheesecake is turtle cheesecake!
I want one of those Calphalon Classic Bakeware 10-in Tart Pans. I have always wanted to make a tart and love the way they look!
I like country cleaver on facebook.
I follow country cleaver on pinterest.
I love a slightly lemon flavored cheesecake with a cherry topping!
Checked out BigKitchen and I like the Artland Veritas Cordial Glasses.
I follow BigKitchen on Pinterest.
I like BigKitchen on Facebook.
I like Country Cleaver on Facebook.
I follow Country Cleaver on Twitter.
I follow Country Cleaver on Pinterest.
My favorite cheesecake is classical Käsekuchen that my granny back home in Germany bakes. It uses quark cheese (as opposed to cream cheese), is thick and creamy and just a little sour. I miss it and ask her bake it for me whenever I visit Germany!
I also follow you on Twitter.
Wow! I can’t believe those are lentils in there! It looks so good. My favorite cheesecake is pumpkin!
I follow you on twitter!
Your wedding pictures are beautiful. You are truly blessed to have so many wonderful friends.
Oh and my favorite cheesecake is vanilla bean.
Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake!!!!
I would love to have one of those Le Creuset Tart Dishes in cherry!
I like original cheesecake with cherry topping. Yum.
That’s pretty cool! I love “hidden veggies.” Don’t need to enter, just wanted to comment on gorgeous photos etc.
pumpkin cheesecake is my fav.
I love pumpkin cheesecake!!
I love chocolate cheesecake (with fresh berries).
Being from the east coast, I’d have to go with NY style:)
I love a Cinnabon cheesecake. The recipe can be found on the blog Perrys’Plate. Thanks!
I need new bakeware. So I would wish for a Calphalon baking pan from BigKitchen. Thanks!
I follow BigKitchen on Facebook. Thanks!
I follow Country Cleaver on Facebook. Thanks!
I really like red velevet cheesecake from Cheese Cake Factory.