Ingredients

  • CRUST
  • 6 -7 graham crackers, crushed into crumbs (3/4 cup)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Cheesecake
  • 2 cups fresh ricotta cheese
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 (1 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup milk, plus
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/2 blood orange, grated zest of
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped
  • Candied Blood Orange Slices(optional)
  • 1 blood orange, scrubbed
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • Blood Orange Glaze(optional)
  • 3/4 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
  • 7 tablespoons freshly squeezed blood orange juice, strained (1 to 2 oranges)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Fit a parchment circle into the bottom of a 7-inch springform pan.
  • CRUST:.
  • Combine graham-cracker crumbs and 2 tablespoons sugar(from the 3/4 cup sugar) in a small bowl.
  • Stir in melted butter with a fork until crumbs are moistened.
  • Press into bottom of pan, and bake for 10 minutes.
  • CHEESECAKE:.
  • Place ricotta in a sieve lined with cheesecloth, place in refrigerator, and let the ricotta drain for several hours or overnight.
  • Place lemon juice in a small bowl, and sprinkle gelatin over the surface. Set aside for 10 minutes to soften.
  • In a small, heavy saucepan, beat egg yolks until smooth.
  • Whisk in milk, gradually whisk in remaining 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar.
  • Add saltand cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 7 minutes.
  • DO NOT ALLOW TO BOIL!
  • Transfer to a bowl, and stir in softened gelatin, orange zest, and vanilla, mixing until gelatin is completely dissolved.
  • Set custard aside.
  • Place drained ricotta in the bowl of a food processor, and process until smooth.
  • Add cream cheese, and process again until smooth.
  • With machine running, add warm custard, and process just long enough to combine.
  • Transfer to a bowl, and fold in whipped cream.
  • Pour mixture into the prepared pan, cover, and chill overnight.
  • Place a candied orange slice in center of cake. Pour glaze over top, tipping cake pan to cover completely.
  • Chill for 1 hour, or until glaze is set.
  • To unmold, wrap a hot towel around sides of pan to help release cake, and run a thin knife around the inside of the pan.
  • Carefully remove outside of pan. Slide onto a serving plate, and chill until ready to serve.
  • CANDIED BLOOD ORANGE SLICES:.
  • Cut orange into 1/8-inch slices and in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, water, and syrup.
  • Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer until clear and no crystals cling to sides of pan, about 3 minutes.
  • Add orange slices in 1 layer; simmer until transparent, about 1 hour.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a wire rack to cool.
  • BLOOD ORANGE GLAZE (Makes enough for one 7-inch cake):.
  • In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons of the juice; let stand until soft, about 10 minutes.
  • In a small saucepan, bring sugar and 4 tablespoons juice to a boil.
  • Combine remaining tablespoon juice and cornstarch in a small bowl, stirring until dissolved; whisk into boiling orange juice.
  • Remove from heat. Stir in softened gelatin.
  • Cool to lukewarm, and pour over cake.