RUNNING WITH PASSION: #irunsoicaneat: Oregon & Washington Blueberries Layered Cheesecake

Thursday, August 05, 2021

#irunsoicaneat: Oregon & Washington Blueberries Layered Cheesecake

Today, I made Blueberries Layered Cheesecake at home for the very first time. I'm very happy because it turns out to be berrilicious!

Blueberries are naturally sweet, tart and nutritious - making them a beloved superfood. Not to mention they are so appealing to the eyes as well. Packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, blueberries can be enjoyed as it is - a snack, or incorporated into various recipes such as salads, baked items, desserts, smoothies.

The original recipe is by Georgen Thye, a Certified dietitian. The recipe may looks complicated but it is quite easy to do, even for a newbie like me. Here’s the recipe:

Oregon & Washington Blueberries Layered Cheesecake

Ingredients (Make 8 servings)

Crumb Base

Oatmeal Crackers 100g (I use Digestive Biscuits)

Melted Butter 60g

Cheesecake Filling

Cream Cheese 250g

Plain Yoghurt 150g

Oregon & Washington Blueberries 150g

Lemon 1 piece

Gelatin Powder 13g

Brown Sugar 40g

Top Jelly Layer

Water 200ml

Gelatin Powder ½ tsp

Agar Powder ½ tsp

Blueberries 100g

White sugar 40g

Method:

Make Crumb Base

Place oatmeal crackers in a food processor and blend until they become coarse sand texture.
Pour in the melted butter and continue to blend until fine crumbs.
Transfer the crumbs to the prepared pan and press with a spoon to form an even layer of crumbs.
Place the pan into a fridge and let it refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Make Cream Cheese Filling

Pour 80ml of water to the gelatin powder in a bowl and let soak for 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, juice the lemon.
Place the Oregon-Washington blueberries, lemon juice and sugar in a pot. Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes, stir frequently and let cool to room temperature after that.
Meanwhile, whisk together cream cheese and plain yoghurt until smooth and fluffy.
Pour the blueberries compote into a food processor and blend until it turns into a smooth puree.
Fold the blueberries puree into the cream cheese mixture.
Microwave the soaked gelatin for 30 seconds until melted.
Stir the melted gelatin into the blueberries cream cheese mixture.
Take the pan out from the refrigerator and pour mixture over crumbs until the pan is ¾ filled.
Return the pan to the refrigerator for another 1 hour until the cream cheese filling is set.

Make Top Jelly Layer

Pour 200ml water into a pan, followed by ½ tsp gelatin powder, ½ tsp agar powder and 40g of sugar.
Cook over medium fire, stir frequently until all sugar is dissolved and no lumps of gelatin remain. After that let cool to room temperature.
Take the pan out from the refrigerator, place fresh blueberries on the set cream cheese fillings in a single layer.
Pour the clear agar solution and top up the remaining ¼ of the pan.
Return to the refrigerator for another 1 hour until the top agar layer is set.
It’s ready to serve!

Nutrition Information (1 serving)

Energy (Kcal) 281

Carbohydrate (g) 22.1

Protein (g) 4.8

Fat (g) 19.7

Fibre (g) 1.2

Check out the video tutorials by Georgen Cooking to make the Oregon Washington Blueberries Layered Cheesecake and two other delicious treats made of Oregon & Washington Blueberries.|

Oregon Washington Blueberries Layered Cheesecake | Georgen Cooking

Oregon Washington Blueberries Oatmeal Muffin | Georgen Cooking

Summer Oregon Washington Blueberries Popsicles | Georgen Cooking

Georgen also shared various blueberries nutrition facts and health benefits:

1. One cup (148g) of blueberries contributes 25% of your daily value of vitamin C, 14.4 milligrams of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant stabilizing free radicals, thus helping to prevent cellular damage.
Vitamin C aids in collagen production; assists with iron absorption; and helps heal wounds and keep your gums healthy.
Vitamin C may help support the body’s immune system.

2. One cup (148g) of blueberries contains 3.6g fibre, equivalent to 14% of your daily fibre requirement.

Dietary fibre has been shown to provide numerous health benefits, including improving blood lipid levels, regulating blood glucose, and increasing satiety (makes you feel full longer), which may help with weight loss.

3. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants

Blueberries are believed to have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all common fruits and vegetables.
Antioxidants protect your body from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage your cells and contribute to aging and diseases.

4. One cup (148g) of blueberries contributes 36% of your daily value of vitamin K, 28 micromilligrams of vitamin K.

Low intakes of vitamin K have been linked to a higher risk of bone fracture. However, adequate vitamin K intake improves calcium absorption and may reduce calcium loss.

Blueberries are certified as a heart-healthy food by the American Heart Association and contain natural compounds that help the brain stay strong.

Oregon and Washington are the two top blueberry producing states in the U.S. . Owing to ideal growing conditions, these two states offer the best quality fruits that garnered much popularity the world over. So, when you go shopping for blueberries, keep a look out for the Oregon & Washington Blueberries.