This female seed cone is produced by the various species of junipers, Juniper berries are unusually fleshy and merged scales because of which it looks like a Berry although it is not a berry but a CONE(ripened berry like fruit).
/Culinary uses:-
•In the mid 17th century a Dutch physician created and marketed a tonic made from juniper berries. This tonic now known as GIN 🍒🍋 soon became a buzz producing alcohol beverage rather than the medicinal tonic.
•It is also used as an spice for meats 🥩, stews and sauerkraut.
•Massive flavouring agent in sweet dishes like fruitcakes etc.
•Other juniper flavoured alcoholic beverages includes the Finnish rye and juniper beer made from the juniper berries and branches.
/ Benefits of juniper berries:
~ Has antidiabetic properties
~ Promotes healthy heart
~Has antibacterial and anti fungal activity
~High in nutrients and powerful plant compounds.
~Good for digestion and also helps in curing upset stomach, bloating and loss of appetite.
“ the extract of juniper berries were historically used to treat many ailments including snake bites and worms (in the intestines)”

-/INGREDIENTS REQUIRED:
*For the cream cheese *
•2 cups full fat milk
•2 cups Amul fresh cream
•4 tbsp of vinegar/lime juice
•1/2 tsp salt
•1 tsp vanilla extract
“Preheat the oven at 180C”
-Warm up milk and fresh cream in a heavy bottom sauce pan, add a pinch of salt and keep stirring.
-When it comes to a boil add vinegar,mix it well and within 4-5 seconds you’ll see
-the milk would spilt and curdle. Keep stirring till it comes to a boil and set it off the heat.
-Now strain the mixture with the help of a sieve or Muslin cloth and let it get strained for about 30 mins.
-Grind the mixture now in a food processor till it becomes light and creamy and add vanilla essence for flavouring.
*For the cheesecake*
/FOR THE CRUST-
•7 oz of digestive biscuits
•1 tbsp of sugar
•1/2cup melted butter
-Grind the digestive biscuits in a food processor
-In a bowl mix the finely grinded biscuits with butter and sugar
-Transfer it to a baking pan Use a flat surface to evenly spread it, now bake it for 8-10 mins at 180 C
/FOR THE FILLING
•3-4cups of cream cheese
•2cups of castor sugar
•1/2 cup of heavy cream
•2cups of sour cream/hung curd
•5-6 tbsp of flour
•1-2tsp vanilla extract
•4 whole eggs
-In a bowl whisk cream cheese and sugar together until it becomes creamy
-Now add heavy cream and sour cream gradually and whisk gradually
-Add flour and vanilla extract
-Now gradually add in the eggs 1 by 1 keep on mixing and try not to OVERMIX THE BATTER!
-After your crust has come to room temperature, transfer the batter over it.
-Place your baking dish on a large pan and fill the pan with hot water about 1inch to dish
-Now bake the cake for 1 hour at 180 C after baking let it stay inside for another 30 min
/FOR THE TOPPING
•1 cup of dried blueberries
•2-3tbsp of blueberry crush
•1tbsp water
•1/2tsp corn flour
-In a pan add water, crush& berries and cook on low heat within 1-2 min add corn flour and mix until it becomes thick and glazed.
-After the cake has been baked add the topping when everything has come to room temperature.
-Refrigerate it for 20-30 mins before serving!!!
Bon appetite 🖖🏻