A simple icebox cheesecake is given an elegant (and delicious) crown of rose petals fashioned from plum and mango.
ingredients
Crust
Filling
Rose
directions
Position a rack in center of the oven and preheat to 350ºF. Pulse the shortbread cookies and salt together in a food processor until fine crumbs form (you should have about 2 cups). Add the butter and pulse until the mixture is the consistency of wet sand. Transfer to a 9-inch tart pan and, using a measuring cup, press the crumbs firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Bake until the edges are lightly golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool.
Sprinkle the gelatin over 2 tablespoons warm water in a small microwave-safe bowl and stir to combine, then set aside to soften, about 5 minutes. Microwave on high, stirring every 10 seconds, until completely melted.
Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla, orange zest and salt in a food processor and process until the sugar has dissolved and no lumps remain. Add the melted gelatin and process until the gelatin is incorporated and the mixture is completely smooth.
Pour the cream cheese mixture into the cooled crust and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Refrigerate, uncovered, until the cheesecake is just set but still soft, about 30 minutes.
Peel the mangoes using a vegetable peeler. With a very sharp knife, carefully cut each mango in half, tracing your knife around the pit. Slice the halves lengthwise as thinly as possible, about 1/8 inch thick. Halve the plums and remove the pits. Slice the halves as thinly as possible, about 1/8 inch thick.
Fan out small stacks of about 6 to 7 mango slices into 8-inch-long strips. Arrange around the outer edge of the tart, leaning the slices upright against the crust. Overlap the strips slightly, making two rings of mango. Fan out a stack of about 6 to 7 slices of plum into 6-inch-long strips. Arrange the plum slices inside the innermost ring of mango, repeating with additional slices to create a ring of plums. Repeat with the remaining mango and plum slices creating alternating rings until you reach the center. Shingle 4 slices of mango to form a 4-inch-long strip; tightly roll it up and place it in the center of the cheesecake to create a rose bud.
Refrigerate uncovered for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours. Drizzle with honey before serving.