Lemon Poppyseed Cheesecakes

Before I was even able to take a picture of them, the first batch of these little cheesecakes was already gone. They just dissapeared. When I made the second batch nobody was allowed to touch them until I had my picture. These little cheesecakes reminded me of key lime pie a little. The crust was extra crunchy because of the poppyseed and the filling was creamy and full of lemon flavor. They make a light and elegant dessert or you can enjoy them with tea or coffee.

Lemon Cheesecake and Poppy Seed Tartlets Yotam Ottolenghi (makes 24 small cheesecakes) 200 g/ 7 oz cream cheese 60 g/ 2 oz caster sugar 2 small eggs 90 g/ 3.2 oz soured cream Grated zest and juice of 2 small lemons (50ml juice, 1 tbsp zest) Melted butter, for brushing the tins Icing sugar, to finish (optional) For the pastry 170 g/6 oz plain flour 50 g/1.8 oz icing sugar 90 g/ 3.2 oz cold butter, diced Grated zest of ¼ lemon 1 tablespoon poppy seeds ⅛ teaspoon salt 1 egg yolk Roughly 1 tbsp cold water 1.Start with the pastry. Put the flour, sugar, butter, zest, poppy seeds and salt in the bowl of a food processor and work to uniform crumbs. Add the egg yolk and just enough water to bring everything together, collect the pastry into a flat block, wrap in cling-film and chill for at least 30 minutes. 2.Preheat the oven to 160C/335F/gas mark 2½. Brush eight small muffin tins (or shallow tart tins, as before) with butter. Roll out the pastry 2-3mm thick and cut out eight circles to fit the tins. Line the tins with the pastry, rest in the fridge for 20 minutes, then line each pastry case with baking parchment and fill with baking beans. Bake for 15 minutes, until golden. Remove, take out the beans and leave to cool down. 3.Lower the heat to 150C/300F/gas mark 2. Whisk the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and uniform, whisk in the eggs, then the soured cream, lemon zest and juice. Fill the cases to the top and bake for 15 minutes, until just set. Leave to cool, then chill for at least an hour before taking out of the moulds. Dust with icing sugar, if you like.