Just when you thought I couldn’t get any crazier!
I was told of this recipe by a former employer - Thea. I thought she was crazy to suggest a 100% tofu cheesecake (that means absolutely no cream cheese, sour cream or cottage cheese etc)! At the time I thought to myself “at least there is a lactose free version of cheesecake should I ever develop a dairy intolerance”, but I would have never contemplated making it until now.
Lyndsay and I were grocery shopping at Zehrs when we came across a tofu package in the specialty cheeses section. At the time I was contemplating what healthy cheesecake recipe I was going to try next, thus the small royal blue box of tofu inspired me to take it home and attempt to turn it into something delicious …or so I planned.
I have never enjoyed tofu in the dessert context, so I knew this was going to be a strange, daring experience. My food/nutrition guru idol, Ellyn Satter, suggests that it takes 5 to 20 times or more to accept a new food (1)! I am not sure I am prepared to try this same tofu cheesecake 20 times consecutively, but I will certainly try it a few more times, perhaps incorporating new flavours. Tofu is cool like that. By nature, a more bland food, but if you add something to your tofu or marinate it then it takes on the desired taste. Tofu is made from soy and is a rich source of protein. Four ounces of tofu provides 9.2 grams of protein, that's 18.3% of the daily value for protein, and it comes virtually free of saturated fat (less than 1 gram), and at a cost of only 86 calories (2).
Making this cheesecake was super easy. I was at my pal Julia’s house when I made it, so not only did I taste test it, but Julia and all her roomies did too. This should lend credibility to my impression of this recipe as it was tested by many peeps much crazier and pickier than me! JK!
To my surprise, I was the only one who after tasting it was unsure about whether I enjoyed it or not. Everyone else loved it so much they inherited the leftovers form me and I am told it lasted less than 24 hours in their fridge.
I dare you to try this one at home. The Lemon Tofu Almond Cheesecake Recipe is in my RecipeBook. If you do try it please let us know what you think!
I guess now that I have done a lactose free cheesecake I am going to have to do a gluten free one. Do I get points for being inclusive to intolerances?!
(1) http://www.ellynsatter.com/how-children-learn-to-like-new-food-i-37.html
(2) http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=111
All of these cheesecakes look amazing. If only I had the right things in my kitchen (hand mixer, etc) to make one myself.
ReplyDeleteYou should try these out and let me know how they are, by the picture they look amazing!
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/caramel-pecan-cheesecake-bars-107333.aspx
I am lactose intolerant so this recipe is a great alternative for me and will be put to use in the near future! :) Might I ask why you weren't so keen on it? An unpleasant aftertaste? I wouldn't mind taking Ellyn Satter's advice when it comes to tasting cheesecake after cheesecake! I would definitely say you deserve points for being inclusive to tolerances! However, you are definitely being held responsible for the few extra pounds I may acquire while testing out your recipes. Thanks Shaylin!
ReplyDeleteSabrina Legault
Please visit my blog at
http://sabrinaeden.wordpress.com/
This cheesecake has a delicious nutty flavour and a very close to traditional cheesecake texture. I would be game to try it again in retrospect. I would advise you to experiment with different flavours that appeal to you and top it with your favour fruit for a to die for combination. And don't worry this is the leanest cheesecake thus far on my mission!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Shaylin
I feel very negativly about cheesecake. That is a well known fact. BUT given the cheese-free factor of this one perhaps I will give it a try
ReplyDeleteThis blog is so creative in its orignal idea as well as the different cheesecakes you come up with...each week you continue to surprise me! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried making cheesecake without the cheese. This recipe looks very interesting. I have tried vegan cheesecake before, and it tasted great. I am not too sure however what was in it. As well the cornerstone downtown, makes a delicious chocolate cake that has tofu.
ReplyDeleteI feel like not knowing you are eating tofu first, may make the dessert more appealing, as I too am a little iffy about tofu.