Mexican Cheese Pie

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                            FOOD FUNNY
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Here's a news flash from Rosemary Zwick in South Africa:

A new study has determined that chocolate causes a defect in American
clothing. The National Organization of Women has filed a lawsuit in the
supreme court. The suit would require chocolate manufacturers to carry a
warning label advising consumers of the problem. It seems that chocolate
causes most fabrics to shrink.

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                            TODAY'S RECIPE
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This pie, similar to our cheesecake, is popular throughout Mexico and is
a staple among the nation's "cafeterias," or coffee shops.

Mexican Cheese Pie (Pay de Queso)

For the crust:
5 slices white bread with crust (about 4 oz, 110 g)
2 Tbs (30 ml) sugar
4 Tbs (60 ml) butter, melted

For the filling:
1 lb (450 g) cream cheese at room temperature
3/4 cup (180 ml) sugar
1/4 tsp (1 ml) salt, plus a pinch for the egg whites
1 Tbs (15 ml) all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp (2 ml) vanilla extract
1/4 tsp (1 ml) ground cinnamon
3 egg yolks
2 egg whites

To make the crust, pulverize the bread in an electric blender or food
processor - there should be about 1 2/3 cups (415 ml). Combine with the
sugar in a bowl and drizzle with the melted butter, mixing well. Pat
into a 9-inch (23 cm) pie pan and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Combine the cream cheese with 1/2 cup (125 ml) of the sugar, 1/4 tsp (1
ml) salt, and the flour, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a food
processor or bowl of an electric mixer and process or beat until smooth.
In a separate bowl beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff
peaks form. Gradually beat in the remaining 1/4 cup (60 ml) sugar until
the whites are stiff and shiny. Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the
cheese mixture, then gently fold in the remainder. Spoon the mixture
into the crust and bake in a preheated 375F (190C) oven for 5 minutes.
Lower the heat to 325F (165C) and bake 25 minutes more. Turn off the
oven and let the pie cool in the oven for 15 minutes with the oven door
closed. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature before serving.
Serves 6 to 8.
Received on Thu Jan 7 21:04:41 2010