This tangy yogurt cheesecake is topped with ouzo-poached figs inspired by sikomaida, a traditional delicacy from Corfu made with dried figs macerated and kneaded with ouzo and pepper, which are formed into disks and dried in chestnut leaves. It’s also delicious with seasonal fruits, fresh or dried and poached, or with whole preserves.

Makes 16 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 40 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 3 3/4 hours (including cooling time)

EASE OF PREPARATION: Moderate

Crust
15 plain Melba toasts (about 4 ounces; not Melba “snacks”)
1/3 cup walnut halves
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sugar

Cheesecake
14 ounces reduced-fat (Neufchâtel) cream cheese
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups low-fat or nonfat plain Greek yogurt (see Ingredient Note)
7 large egg whites
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping
16 whole dried figs
2 cups warm water
1/2 cup ouzo, Mavrodaphne or port wine (see Ingredient Note)
2 rose geranium leaves, plus more for garnish (optional; see Ingredient Note)
1 cinnamon stick
1 3-inch strip orange zest
1/2 cup sugar

1. To prepare crust: Preheat oven to 325°F. Put a kettle of water on to heat for the water bath. Coat a 10-inch springform pan with cooking spray; tightly wrap the bottom and outside with a double layer of foil.
2. Process Melba toasts and walnuts in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add oil and 2 tablespoons sugar and toss until evenly moist. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan. Bake until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
3. To prepare cheesecake: When the crust is almost cool, beat cream cheese and 1 cup sugar in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add yogurt, egg whites and cinnamon; beat until well blended. Pour the batter over the cooled crust.
4. Place the cheesecake in a roasting pan and pour in enough boiling water to come 1 inch up the outside of the springform pan. Bake the cheesecake in the center of the oven until set around the edges but the center still jiggles, about 45 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake sit in the oven with the door ajar for 1 hour. Let cool on a wire rack for 1 hour more.
5. To prepare topping: Meanwhile, place figs in a small bowl, cover with warm water and let soak for 1 hour.
6. Strain the figs, reserving the soaking water. Strain the soaking water into a medium saucepan. Add ouzo (or wine); bring to a boil over high heat. Add geranium leaves (if using), cinnamon stick, orange zest and the figs. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the figs are plump and the liquid is the consistency of a thin syrup, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the figs with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool. Stir 1/2 cup sugar into the liquid, adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, 15 to 25 minutes. Discard the geranium leaves, cinnamon stick and orange zest. Chop the figs and return them to the syrup.
7. Remove the pan sides from the cheesecake. Serve each slice topped with some of the fig sauce and a rose geranium leaf, if desired.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 263 calories; 10 g fat (5 g sat, 3 g mono); 19 mg cholesterol; 35 g carbohydrate; 9 g protein; 1 g fiber; 196 mg sodium; 134 mg potassium.
2 Carbohydrate Servings
Exchanges: 2 carbohydrate (other), 2 fat

TIP: Ingredient notes: Greek yogurt is made by removing the whey from cultured milk, which gives the yogurt an extra thick and creamy texture. Look for it with other yogurt in large supermarkets. Unstrained regular yogurt cannot be used in its place for this recipe, but you can strain plain yogurt to give it the same thick texture as Greek-style yogurt. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set it over a bowl. Spoon in 4 cups nonfat plain yogurt and let it drain in the refrigerator until reduced to about 3 cups, about 2 hours.

Ouzo is a sweet Greek liquor with a pleasant anise flavor;mavrodaphne is a sweet, Greek red wine similar to port; port is a fortified dessert wine from Portugal. Find ouzo in liquor stores and Mavrodaphne and port in wine shops and liquor stores.

Rose geranium (Pelargonium) is part of a larger family of “scented geraniums.” The edible leaves impart a delicate rose flavor when added to desserts, beverages and other foods. The plants can be found near other
herbs at garden centers or in gourmet food shops when in season.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Cover and refrigerate the fig sauce (Steps 5-6) for up to 1 week. | Equipment: 10-inch springform pan

This is am amazing cheesecake recipe. I love the crust and the flavours of the figs in the syrup are amazing. I used Porto instead of ouzo. A must try recipe that is sure to please all pallets.

Debbie, Vaudreuil, QC

This is fantastic! I served it over Labor Day weekend and was told by a huge cheesecake fan that this was "the best cheesecake he'd ever had! The fig topping is delicious. I had Ouzo in my freezer so I used it, but think it would be delicious without. Definitely give this a try!

Sharon, Colorado Springs, CO

This turned out so great. I did add a tsp of vanilla extract and lemon juice for some more flavor to the actual cake.

Tina, Tx