A perfect light lunch or dinner first course for four, these blue cheese mini cheesecakes are rich, elegant and tasty. Depending on the saltiness of your cheese you may want to omit the salt in the recipe. The little gems are set on a bed of lightly dressed arugula (1 T. olive oil, 1 tsp. red wine or balsamic vinegar, dash of ground pepper). I served these as a first course to my pecan crusted razor clams with a nice glass of Penner-Ash 2012 Shea Pinot Noir.
Yet another Jacques Pépin recipe from "More Fast Food My Way," you can watch his video located here.
Recipe
2 tsp. unsalted butter
1 slice bread, cut in cubes and put in food processor
8 oz. whipped cream cheese
2 large eggs
1/4 c. sour cream (I didn't have any so I used plain yogurt)
dash of salt and 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
2 T. minced fresh parsley
1/4 c. crumbled blue cheese
3 cups arugula
Coat four 3/4 c. ramekins generously with the butter and bread crumbs. Mix the cream cheese in a medium bowl and add the eggs, sour cream, salt and pepper, most of the blue cheese (saving 4 chunks for later), and 1 T. of the parsley. Mix well with a whisk and pour into the souffle molds. Push one little chunk of blue cheese into the middle of the mold, and top with the remaining tablespoon of parsley. Put on a baking sheet and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before unmolding. Unmold in your hand and turn it over so it's right side up, and place on a bed of arugula.
– Jacques Pépin, "More Fast Food My Way"