Okay, I admit I can be dense sometimes. Is this (2) 1/2 pound packages of cream cheese or 2 and 1/2 pounds of cream cheese? In other words - 2 packages or 5?
One recipe of this is enough to suffice for the entire crowd along with a few other menu items- it is really delicious and a show-stopper to look at:
SMOKED SALMON CHEESECAKE
1 tbsp butter
6 oz. sesame bread sticks, crushed
1/2 cup melted butter
2-1/2 lbs cream cheese
1/2 lb smoked salmon, chopped
1/2 cup minced onion
1/4 cup minced fresh basil
4 eggs
Preheat oven to 350º. Butter a 9-inch springform pan.
In a bowl, mix the bread stick crumbs with the melted butter. Press the crumb mixture in the bottom and up about 1/2 inch on the sides of the pan. Chill for 20 minutes. In a mixer, beat the cream cheese, smoked salmon, onion, basil and eggs until light and fluffy. Pour into the crust. Bake 5 minutes, lower the heat to 325º and bake 50 minutes or until lightly browned and puffed. Turn off the oven and let the cake cool in the oven for 1 hour longer. Remove to a rack and cool completely. Unmold on a platter and serve with crackers or cocktail breads. Can be made 2 days before serving.....take out of the refrigerator at least 2 hours before serving to bring it to room temperature.
One recipe of this is enough to suffice for the entire crowd along with a few other menu items- it is really delicious and a show-stopper to look at:
SMOKED SALMON CHEESECAKE
1 tbsp butter
6 oz. sesame bread sticks, crushed
1/2 cup melted butter
2-1/2 lbs cream cheese
1/2 lb smoked salmon, chopped
1/2 cup minced onion
1/4 cup minced fresh basil
4 eggs
Preheat oven to 350º. Butter a 9-inch springform pan.
In a bowl, mix the bread stick crumbs with the melted butter. Press the crumb mixture in the bottom and up about 1/2 inch on the sides of the pan. Chill for 20 minutes. In a mixer, beat the cream cheese, smoked salmon, onion, basil and eggs until light and fluffy. Pour into the crust. Bake 5 minutes, lower the heat to 325º and bake 50 minutes or until lightly browned and puffed. Turn off the oven and let the cake cool in the oven for 1 hour longer. Remove to a rack and cool completely. Unmold on a platter and serve with crackers or cocktail breads. Can be made 2 days before serving.....take out of the refrigerator at least 2 hours before serving to bring it to room temperature.