Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1 1/2  tablespoons   butter -- (for pan)
     1/4  cup           fine breadcrumbs -- toasted
     1/4  cup           finely grated ched. cheese
   6      ounces        thinly sliced ham
   1 1/2  pounds        cream cheese -- room temp.
     3/4  pound         sharp cheddar -- grated
   1      cup           cottage cheese
     3/4  cup           chopped green onion
   4                    eggs
   3      tablespoons   jalapeno pepper*
   2      tablespoons   milk
   1                    garlic clove -- halved

Preparation:

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