Vegan lemon and avocado cheesecake.

with culinary expert Hollenstein from Movenpick Hotel Hanoi

Every October, Carpinteria’s Avocado Festival attracts tens of thousands of foodies.

They flock to the ocean-side city to sample every avocado creation imaginable, from guacamole and avocado beer to deliciously sweet desserts such as a vegan cheesecake with lemon and avocado curd.

For the crust and filling:

For the crust:

50g oatmeal

100g almonds, unpeeled

1 pinch sea salt

25g coconut blossom sugar

50g coconut oil

For the filling:

100g cashew nuts

50g coconut oil

450g vegan cream cheese

1 lemon, juice and zest

2g cornstarch

3 spoon vanilla, seeds

100ml agave, syrup

100ml coconut milk

For the icing:

1 avocado (150g)

2 lemon, juice and zest

150g sugar

300ml coconut milk

50g margarine

20g cornstarch

20g pistachios

Culinary expert Hollenstein from Movenpick Hotel Hanoi

Method:

For the crust and filling:

- Add boiling water to the cashew nuts and leave to soak for 1 hour. In the meantime, line two 17cm spring form tins with baking paper.

- Crush the dry ingredients for the crust in the food processor, then work in the coconut oil to form a dough that doesn’t crumble

- Firmly press the mixture into the base of the baking molds and blind bake for 10 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius, then reduce heat to 160C

- Thoroughly mix all the filling ingredients in the food processor and then add the filling to the pre-baked base. Bake for just under 30 minutes until the surface has browned and the centre of the cake is wobbly, but no longer appears liquid

- Remove from the oven, gently run a knife around the rim and leave rest for 10 minutes at room temperature, then leave to cool completely in the fridge.

For the icing:

- Mix all ingredients apart from pistachios in a food processor, heat over medium heat, add the starch, bring to a boil and let cool.

Serving:

- Coat the cooled cheesecake in the curd and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.

You can sample the dish at Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi, 83A Lý Thường Kiệt St, Hoàn Kiếm Dist, Hà Nội. Tel: +84 24 38 22 28 00, ext 6133.