THE NEVER FAIL CHEESECAKE

A quick fix out for an evening where your dessert didn't quite turn out as you had envisioned. And here I mean literally envision. Whenever I prepare something elaborate and sweet, it has to necessarily turn out the way I had "envisioned" it, more than how I imagined it would taste. Frivolous I know but hey I love the compliments.

Though I have not cooked anything worth blogging about recently, here is a cheesecake (or one that can masquerade as one) for a quick fix dessert to a meal - preferably one that will not be too heavy (yes its a difficult notion with Indian meals but one must try)

Take a quarter kilo of paneer (cottage cheese) and one packet of dried jelly granules. Some fresh fruit or rind, depending on the flavour of jelly you have chosen. Orange segments and rind for orange jelly and such. But dont know what fruit one could substitute if you take rasberry jelly (which is by far the most common flavouring of jelly I have seen available here).

Make a regular biscuit base*. Meanwhile heat half the water mentioned on the packet, for dissolving the jelly. Once you have dissolved the jelly, pour into a blender along with the cottage cheese (chop it if it is a huge chunk or you WILL splatter yourself with chunks of cheese with rapidly solidifying jelly). And blend.

Once most of the chunks are removed, add most of the fruit/puree and blend till smooth. By this time the whole mixture is quite hot so beware. remove your set base and pour over it. Keep the bowl in the freezer for about 20 - 30 mins and then remove it and keep it in the fridge.

You can decorate it with some more fresh fruit and put your worries of a dessert to rest. The only flip till now that I have come across with the recipe is that I am unable to make a mean chocolate or coffee flavoured cheesecake. But I will figure that soon!

* A biscuit base is biscuits (like Marie or some other bland-ish brand) crushed (by hand if you want an uneven and authentic texture) and mixed with cold butter. The final result looks like breadcrumbs. Once the mixture is ready, spread it in the serving bowl and then press down with the flat surface. About 20-30 mins is enough for it to set. If not set while pouring the cheesecake mix, it will rise and mix with your paneer/jelly mix - giving a spotted and sickly appearance..yes this too has happened. :)

PS The title is borrowed from Epicurious