Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Tasso and Smoked Cheddar Cheesecake

One of the best tasting, and most versatile, recipes in this book. This can be made four or five days in advance. Beautiful on a sideboard for a cocktail party, perfect with a salad for lunch, an excellent side item with an entrée for dinner. Country ham, chopped bacon, or cooked sausage can be substituted for the Tasso (Cajun-spiced ham).

Ingredients

Crust

2 cup Japanese breadcrumbs

1 cup parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp Fresh thyme

1 Tbsp parsley

1 /2 cup melted butter

1 tsp. black pepper

 

Filling

1 Tbsp butter

1 1 /2  cup tasso, diced

1 /2 cup onion, minced

1 Tbsp garlic, minced

1 /2  pound cream cheese, softened.

1 /2  pound smoked cheddar cheese, finely grated

3 eggs + 2 yolks

1 /4 cup sour cream

1 /2  tsp salt

1 tsp creole seasoning

1 /4 tsp black pepper

1 /4  tsp cayenne pepper

1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 /2  cup chopped green onions

2 Tbsp finely chopped red bell peppers

Instructions

Crust

Preheat oven to 275

Combine all ingredients.

Press into a 9-10 inch spring-form pan, covering the bottom completely and bringing the crust 1 1 /2 inches up the sides. Bake crust five minutes and allow to cool.

 

Filling

In a medium sized sauté pan, melt butter and cook tasso, onions and garlic for 3-4 minutes. Allow to cool.

While tasso mixture is cooling, beat the cheeses together until soft in a mixing bowl. Add eggs, one at a time allowing them to incorporate. Add remaining ingredients, and cooled tasso mixture.

Pour filling into par-baked crust and bake45-60 minutes.

Let cheesecake cool completely before cutting. Dip a clean knife into hot water to cut, wiping knife clean, and re-dipping into water after every slice.

Can be made two days in advance. Remove from refrigerator 1-2 hours before serving.

Serves: 10-12

Recent Recipes

Braised Beef Short Ribs with Smoked Gouda Grits

I am a huge fan of short rib entrees. They work especially well for large dinners as the doneness is all the same and no one has to worry about who prefers rare and who prefers medium. Plus, the bone acts as a conductor of heat, keeping it warm for longer. Smoked gouda adds depth and creaminess to grits. This version was created by Chef Nevil Barr, New South Restaurant Group’s Chief Culinary Officer. It’s made an appearance on the Crescent City Grill menu and we often use it for catering large groups (if multiplying the recipe for large groups, go easy on the salt and Creole seasoning, you can always add more at the end).

Read more

Banana Nut French Toast

Start your morning off right with this indulgent Banana Nut French Toast recipe — a delicious twist on a breakfast classic. Made with thick slices of bread soaked in a creamy cinnamon-vanilla custard, then topped with caramelized bananas and crunchy toasted pecans, this easy French toast is the perfect way to bring warmth and flavor to your table.

Read more

Apple French Toast

French toast has been a favorite since childhood—probably one of the first things I could make on my own. Pancakes were my grandmother Muz’s domain, but French toast was all mine. King’s Hawaiian Bread is always a solid choice, but if you can find a bakery that makes fresh brioche or sweet sourdough, grab it. Never been shy about my love for apples, especially Honey Crisp and Fuji. Apple pie’s always been my go-to, but this recipe takes the best part of apple pie and turns it into breakfast.

Read more