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So much basketball this time of year requires some yummy #BigGameSnacks to serve while watching all the games on TV. I came up with an idea for a savory cheesecake, using Cheez-It Grooves for the crust, avocado, spices, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, jalapeño and of course cream cheese. I work up an appetite during some of these games, especially if my Texas or North Carolina teams are playing. You might imagine how it is when teams from those two states are in competition with each other! It’s torture!
Basketball is a really popular sport in my home. When I first met my adoring hubby, many years ago I liked b’ball just fine, but he loved and I mean loved, (as in addicted to) basketball. I enjoy all the excitement, the noise and of course I especially love it when my team wins! Sitting court side at a pro game is exhilarating as is watching a game from a seat in a university center with loud, adrenalized students and all their chants and gestures. I find the entire event perfectly entertaining. However, when I met Mr.Right I didn’t spend countless hours in front of the TV watching basketball from November to March. But I learned to! As long as we have some yummy snacks on hand, a cozy fire if it’s cold and an occasional break I’m good. It’s all good! I’m serious!
When I ran into Walmart to buy dog food I noticed these Cheeze-It Grooves and Crunch’d in the aisles. I started thinking how they would not only be great to snack on during all the games but how I could use them for the savory cheesecake I’ve been thinking about. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like Cheeze-It’s. Did you know there is a contest you can enter from Feb – April 2015. You vote on your favorite flavors/varieties from six popular Cheez-It flavors and play games for a chance to win $10,000.Who doesn’t want to win $10 Grand? Click on “Most Valuable Cheese” for a chance to play and win. You can thank me later!
I made the cheesecakes with mini springform pans which are so much fun and easy to transport if you’re taking them to a friends for game watching. The crusts came out spicy and crunchy, the filling creamy with sweet bites of sun-dried tomatoes, earthy pine nuts and a bit of heat from fresh chopped jalapeño, plus crunch from the Crunch’d on top. Served with the Grooves, tortilla chips, or any cracker you like, not much else is needed for snacking. Add in a bowl of nuts, perhaps a veggie plate and some refreshing beverages and prepare to cheer for your favorite team! You won’t go hungry!
- Crust:
- 1/2 cup crushed Cheeze-It Grooves
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon Ancho chili powder
- dash Cayenne powder
- Filling:
- 1 8 oz. package cream cheese – room temperature
- 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 ripe avocado
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon diced jalapeño
- 1 tablespoon diced sun-dried tomato
- 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts
- Pre-heat oven to 350*F.
- Spray 2 mini spring form pans with cooking spray
- Crust:
- Place Grooves in a zip loc baggie and crush with a rolling pin or mallet, then stir in spices.
- Add melted butter to crushed Grooves and stir with a fork.
- Spoon crust mixture into pans and pat down with fingertips, making sure some goes up the sides.
- Filling:
- Place the cream cheese, avocado, cheddar, yogurt and eggs in a bowl and blend with a hand mixer or stand mixer until creamy and well blended.
- Add jalapeño, tomatoes and pine nuts and stir in by hand.
- Divide mixture between two pans, place in hot oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until set.
- Allow to cool to room temp before removing sides of pan.
- Refrigerate leftovers.
For the crust:
For the filling:
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