When I was asked to come up with a dish inspired by the Cricket World Cup, I had my choice of countries from Australia to South Africa, India to the West Indies - but to me cricket is synonymous with England.
Cricket is a very English sport, first being played in the south of England in the 16th Century and by the end of the 18th Century it was the national sport of England. With the expansion of the British Empire in the 19th century the love of cricket spread overseas.
Although cheesecake has been around since ancient Greece, the earliest cheesecake recipe was found in an English cookbook from 1390. On this basis, chef Heston Blumenthal has argued that cheesecake is an English invention. So the dish I am making inspired by the Cricket World Cup is a classic English Strawberry Cheesecake.
This easy to make non bake cheesecake is a tasty treat for the family and perfect if you are entertaining. It looks impressive yet does not require a lot of skill. I have used chocolate digestive biscuits but if you are a purist you can use normal digestives. If you are watching the calories use low fat spread, Elmlea double light and low fat cream cheese. If not indulge in full fat everything!
Ingredients
Filling
250g milk chocolate digestive biscuits
100g butter (or low fat spread)
600g full fat or low fat cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
100g icing sugar
140 ml double cream (or Elmlea double light)
Topping
A small punnet of sliced strawberries and icing sugar to decorate
Method
Line the bottom of an 8in loose bottom tin with greaseproof paper.
Put the biscuits in a food bag and bash with a rolling pin until they are crumbs.
Melt the butter (or low fat spread) in a pan or microwave.
Mix the biscuits with the melted butter until all the crumbs are coated and press into the tin, making sure there are no gaps.
Chill in the fridge for an hour.
Empty the cream cheese into a bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until soft.
Add the vanilla essence.
Sieve the icing sugar into the bowl in and mix in until combined.
Add 140ml of double cream (or Elmlea double light) and mix well.
Tip the mixture onto the biscuit base and smooth with the back of a spoon.
Put the tin in the fridge and leave to set overnight.
Top with sliced strawberries and for the finishing touch sieve a dusting of icing sugar over the top.
Serve with cream and a fresh strawberry coulis.
Serve for a very British high tea, with cucumber sandwiches and a long cool glass of Pimms, watching the cricket.
*I was asked by Betfair to take part in the Cricket World Cup Recipe challenge
Ooh yum yum. Cheesecake is one of my favourite things x
ReplyDeleteI love a New York baked Vanilla cheesecake too.
DeleteI love cheesecake and even better when it is no bake, yours looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteOh my goodness that looks absolutely delicious....yum!! I need this.
ReplyDeleteIt is delicious and you can almost kid yourself that it is diet food ;)
DeleteWe love cheesecake. It i great to make with kids as there is no cooking
ReplyDeleteYes you are right Jen, good tip.
DeleteOoh I LOVE cheesecake - I am on a diet woman - I shall be dreaming of those pics tonight I tell you!
ReplyDeleteI am as well so I had a very small slice and made the low fat version.
DeleteOh yum - I always stayed away from cheesecake as just the name made me think it wouldn't be nice but I finally tried it last year and I love it! x
ReplyDeleteHow can you stay away from cheesecake? You are mad woman, I tell you ;)
DeleteI love cheesecake, it's my fave.
ReplyDeleteSadly no one else likes it here
Oh that is a shame.
DeleteThat looks delicious - I love cheesecake!
ReplyDeleteDon't we all :)
DeleteOh this looks delicious, I love cheesecake
ReplyDeleteSo simple to make too.
Deletemmm is it wrong i could just sit and eat the whole lot to myself?!
ReplyDeleteNope, I could too!
Deleteoh wow this looks absolutely amazing and so clean and fresh x
ReplyDeleteIt tastes very light if you make it with low fat products too.
DeleteOMG Mellissa! That looks delicious! I am going to make one at the weekend! Thank you for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteLet me know how you get on :)
DeleteI've never made cheesecake but I do like eating it! This recipe looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt's simple to make, you should try making it.
DeleteGosh that looks gorgeous! I'll add to this to my list of easy recipes to try next time we have visitors.
ReplyDeleteIt's very simple to make but looks impressive.
DeleteLove cheesecake and you just reminded me i should get on with making some!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what flavour you will make?
DeleteCheesecake with strawberries and cream sounds perfect when watching any game.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the Pimms!
DeleteThat looks amazing - I make a baileys cheesecake which is scrummy
ReplyDeleteI must have that recipe Kara, how scrummy does that sound?
DeleteI could really do with a slice of this, any left!
ReplyDeleteNot a lot!
DeleteI do love some cheesecake!
ReplyDeleteMe too Polly.
DeleteI absolutely love cheesecake, but the base has to be really crunchy and not soggy x
ReplyDeleteI agree with you there.
DeleteWe love a good cheesecake and this one looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bek!
DeleteI will surely try this cheesecake. Recipe is good. and this looks like so tasty. Really Yummy..
ReplyDeleteIt's relatively low fat for a cheesecake too
DeleteI love cheesecakes. And this looks like really tasty. I'll surely try this. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mellissa... :)