Sour Cherry & Pistachio Cheesecake

HomeClinics & ProgramsELLICSR KitchenSour Cherry & Pistachio Cheesecake

Skill Level	Easy

Preparation Time	15 minutes	Total Time	65 minutes
Servings	8	Cost Per Serving	$0.80

1 cup	Plain Greek Yogurt (2%)
1 cup	Low-Fat Cream Cheese
3	Eggs
1 tbsp	Cornstarch
1 tsp	Pure Vanilla Extract
1 tsp	Orange Zest
1 cup	Graham Cracker Crumbs (about 6 crackers)
1/2 cup	Pistachios, shelled
1 tbsp	Honey
1/2 cup	Brown Sugar (from sugarcane)
2 tbsp	Brandy or Orange Juice
2 cups	Sour Cherries, pits and stems removed

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Add your sour cherries, about 2 tbsp of the brown sugar and the brandy or orange juice to a bowl. Mix well and crush the cherries slightly with a fork. Cover and refrigerate.
Toast the pistachios in a dry sauté pan (no oil) over medium heat for about 5 minutes, making sure not to brown them too much.
In a food processor blend the pistachios until some of the oil is released and it turns into a butter (about 10 minutes). Add the honey and graham cracker crumbs and continue to blend until combined. Press mixture into your pie pan.
Add the yogurt, cream cheese, eggs, cornstarch, vanilla extract and orange zest to the food processor and blend until combined. Pour into your pie crust.
Bake in the oven for about 50-60 minutes, until slightly golden and firm. Allow to cool.
Top with the macerated cherry mixture and serve. Garnish with a few pistachios and orange zest.

PDF link to nutrition facts table for Sour Cherry & Pistachio Cheesecake

Sour cherries may help you get a good night’s sleep. They are a natural source of melatonin, a hormone that regulates your body’s circadian rhythm, also known as your sleep and wake cycle.
Cherries are rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins that may help reduce inflammation in the joints. They also contain quercetin, an antioxidant that may lower blood pressure by helping to keep blood vessels relaxed and flexible.
Tart cherries are an excellent source of vitamin A, while sweet cherries and tart cherry juice are not. Vitamin A in the amounts found in food can help strengthen the immune system to help your body fight off infection.