Shrimp and Andouille Cheesecake With Mustard - Tomato Coulis

Molly53's Note:

An appetizing first course from the flavor center of the universe, Louisiana. Courtesy of Chef Emeril Lagasse of Emeril's and NOLA, featured in The Louisiana New Garde television series.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 25 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 5 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

Crust

• 4 ounces parmesan cheese , grated
• 1 cup fresh breadcrumb
• ¼ teaspoon creole seasoning (Emeril's preferred, Emeril's Essence, your own recipe or store bought)
• ½ cup butter

Coulis

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic , peeled and minced
• 2 teaspoons shallots , peeled and minced
• 8 roma tomatoes , peeled, seeded and diced
• ½ teaspoon creole seasoning (Emeril's preferred, Emeril's Essence, your own recipe or store bought)
• 2 tablespoons creole mustard

Filling

• 1 lb andouille sausage , chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup onion , peeled and chopped
• ½ cup red bell pepper , seeded and diced
• ½ cup green bell pepper , seeded and diced
• 1 lb shrimp , peeled and chopped
• 28 ounces cream cheese , room temperature
• 4 ounces gouda cheese , grated
• ½ cup heavy cream or ½ cup whipping cream
• 4 eggs , beaten

Directions:

1. To make the crust: Combine the parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and seasoning.
2. Add butter and mix just until the ingredients are moist, without overmixing.
3. Press into the bottom of a 9" springform pan; set to the side.
4. To make the coulis: Heat the oil in a medium saucepan and saute the garlic and shallots until tender.
5. Add the tomatoes and cook for five minutes.
6. Add seasoning and mustard.
7. Whirl mixture in food processor or blender and strain; let cool until needed.
8. To make the filling: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
9. In a large skillet, cook the sausage; drain off fat.
10. In another pan, heat the olive oil and saute the onions, pepper and shrimp until the onions are translucent, about three minutes; set to the side.
11. Beat the cheeses in a bowl until smooth.
12. Add the cream, cooked sausage and vegetable mixture; blend in the eggs.
13. Pour into the crust and place the springform pan into a larger pan; add an inch of warm water and bake for a 65 minutes or until set (the cheesecake should feel firm when lightly touched).
14. To serve, pour a little coulis onto serving plate; place a slice of cheesecake on top.