Savory Winter Ale and Gouda Cheesecake with Bacon Onion Jam Recipe

Recipe:
Savory Winter Ale and Gouda Cheesecake with Bacon Onion Jam
Joe's Cakes of The Landmark Inn, Marquette, MI

Cheesecake Filling
• ¾ cup favorite winter beer or ale
• 3 – 8 ounce packages of cream cheese softened
• 1 – 5 ounce package of goat cheese softened
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 5 eggs
• ½ cup gouda – shredded
• ¼ cup flour

Crust
• 2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
• ½ cup melted butter

Jam
• 1 pound bacon strips – coarsely chopped
• 1 large sweet onion, very thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 cup water
• Kosher salt & cracked black pepper

To Prepare Crust
• Add melted butter to bread crumbs and stir until well mixed
• Press into bottom of 8 inch spring form pan, making sure bottom is completely covered
• Bake for 10 minutes at 250 degrees
• Remove from oven and let cool completely

To Prepare Filling
• With paddle attachment (do not use whisk) mix softened cream cheese, goat cheese, black pepper and flour until smooth
• Add eggs one at a time until smooth
• Add shredded gouda and mix well
• Add beer or ale and mix well
• Pour filling on top of crust and bake on middle rack with shallow pan of water on bottom rack at 450 degrees for 20 minutes
• Reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until top is lightly golden and filling is set
• Cool on wire rack until room temperature
• Refrigerate overnight

To Prepare Jam
• Heat large sauté pan over medium-high heat
• Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally until browned but not crisp
• Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towel
• Add onions to pan and season with salt and pepper
• Cook onions for 2 minutes
• Uncover pan and scape any browned bits off the bottom of pan with spatula or wooden spoon
• Re-cover pan and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until onions are soft and beginning to caramelize
• Stir in balsamic vinegar and water
• Return bacon to pan and bring to simmer
• Simmer uncovered until sauce thickens and liquid is almost all absorbed, about 5 to 7 minutes
• Place in bowl and refrigerate until ready to use

Finish
• Remove cheesecake from pan while still cold and place on serving platter
• Spread jam thinly over cheese cake
• Garnish with cheese and strips of cooked bacon if desired

Serve with breadsticks, rye toast points or crackers of choice