Tropical Fruit Cheesecake

Ingredients: (Serves 10)

2 Ripe Mangoes
150ml (1/4 pint) mango and apple fruit juice (any juice of your choice)
2 tbsp powdered gelatin
250g (8 0z) full-fat soft cheese, at room temperature
125g (4 oz) caster sugar
2 eggs, separated
150ml (1/4 pint) whipping cream, whipped until thick

Biscuit Base

125g (4 oz) coconut biscuits, crushed
2 tbsp dessicated coconut
60g (2 oz) butter, melted
30g (1oz) demerara sugar
Decoration

2 Kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced
1 x 250g (8 oz) can pineapple pieces in natural juice, drained
* 23 cm (9 in) loose-bottomed or spring form cake tin.

1. Make the biscuit base: Mix together the biscuits, melted butter and sugar, and press evenly over the bottom of the tin.

2. Slice the mango flesh away from the stones, peel then puree in a food processor.

3. Pour the fruit juice into a heatproof bowl, and sprinkle the gelatin over the top. Leave for about 10 minutes until it becomes spongy. Stand the bowl in a small pan of hot water, and heat gently until the gelatin has dissolved.

4. In a large bowl, beat the soft cheese until smooth and creamy. Beat in half of the caster sugar, the egg yolks and the mango puree. gradually beat in the gelatin mixture.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff but not dry (these can be whisked in a mixer if you have one) Whisk in the remaining sugar, 1 tsp at a time, and continue to whisk at a high speed until the sugar is incorporated and the mixture is stiff and glossy.

6. Fold the whipped cream into the cheese and mango mixture, then fold in the egg whites. Pour on to the biscuit base and chill until set.

7. Use a knife to loosen the side of the cheesecake, then remove from the tin. Slide on to a serving plate. Decorate the top with slices of kiwi fruit and pieces of pineapple before serving.

Friendly Tip:

Having followed the recipe please be mindful of the amount of liquid used as if your mangoes are juicy then you may need to cut down on the amount of juice you use. Good luck and enjoy if you choose to make this desert.