MEXICAN APPETIZER CHEESECAKE

 This is a savory cheesecake served as an appetizer.  It’s really easy to make and absolutely delicious.

Mexican Appetizer Cheesecake

Preheat oven to 350°.

Crust:

• 2 cups finely-crushed Fritos corn chips
• 1 stick of butter, melted

Combine crushed chips and butter and spoon into the bottom of a spring form pan, pressing slightly. Bake for 10 minutes.

Filling:

• 3 8-oz. pkg. of cream cheese, softened
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 envelope of taco seasoning mix
• 1 small can of chopped green chiles
• 2 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating at low speed – just until combined. Add taco seasoning – beat until combined. Using a large spoon, fold chiles and cheese into the cream cheese mixture. Once combined, spoon the mixture onto the corn chip crust. Tap spring form pan on the counter to release any air bubbles. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to come to room temperature. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the cheesecake to help loosen. Open the spring form pan sides and remove. Slide cheesecake onto a serving plate. Place in refrigerator and chill for 4 hours or overnight.

Garnish:

• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Chopped or sliced black olives
• Chopped green onions
• Shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Garnish as desired. Slice into serving sizes and serve with corn chips.

Well Duh #1:  This does not have to be cold when served.  It is great at room temperature, too.

Well Duh #2:  I usually serve it with Fritos Scoops.  Tortilla chips are a little too thin to stand up to the cheesecakey texture.

Well Duh #3:  You can garnish any way you want.  I’ve listed my favorite way to garnish it, but you can certainly change it up.

Well Duh #4:  This recipe will make one standard-sized cheesecake, but in the picture shown, I used it to make two 6-inch cheesecakes.  I actually froze one – ungarnished – for later.  If you are serving this at a party, you’ll want to make the bigger one.  Trust me.  It will be a big hit!