Cheddar Chili Cheesecake

Ingredients

 * 1 1/2 tb Butter (for pan)
 * 1/4 c Fine breadcrumbs, toasted
 * 1/4 c Finely grated cheddar cheese
 * 6 oz Thinly sliced ham
 * 1 1/2 lb Cream cheese, room temp.
 * 3/4 lb Sharp cheddar, grated
 * 1 c Cottage cheese
 * 3/4 c Chopped green onion
 * 4 Eggs
 * 3 tb Jalapeno pepper
 * 2 tb Milk
 * 1 Garlic clove, halved.
 * seeded and finely chopped.

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 325. Butter 9" springform pan.
 * 2) Mix breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup cheddar.
 * 3) Sprinkle mixture into pan, turning to coat. Refrigerate.
 * 4) Dice about half of ham; reserve remaining slices.
 * 5) Mix diced ham with remaining ingredients in blender or processor until smooth.
 * 6) Pour slightly more than half of filling into prepared pan.
 * 7) Top with reserved ham slices in even layer.
 * 8) Cover with remaining filling. Set pan on baking sheet.
 * 9) Bake 1 1/4 hours.
 * 10) Turn oven off and cool cheesecake about 1 hour with door ajar.
 * 11) Transfer cheesecake to rack. Remove sides of pan.
 * 12) Cool to room temperature before serving.