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To prepare crust:
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Preheat oven to 325F.
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Put a kettle of water on to heat for the water bath.
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Coat a 10-inch springform pan with cooking spray; tightly wrap the bottom and outside with a double layer of foil.
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Process Melba toasts and walnuts in a food processor until fine crumbs form.
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Transfer to a medium bowl.
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Add oil and 2 tablespoons sugar and toss until evenly moist.
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Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan.
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Bake until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
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Transfer to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
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To prepare cheesecake:
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When the crust is almost cool, beat cream cheese and 1 cup sugar in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.
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Add yogurt, egg whites and cinnamon; beat until well blended.
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Pour the batter over the cooled crust.
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Place the cheesecake in a roasting pan and pour in enough boiling water to come 1 inch up the outside of the springform pan.
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Bake the cheesecake in the center of the oven until set around the edges but the center still jiggles, about 45 minutes.
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Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake sit in the oven with the door ajar for 1 hour.
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Let cool on a wire rack for 1 hour more.
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To prepare topping:
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Meanwhile, place figs in a small bowl, cover with warm water and let soak for 1 hour.
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Strain the figs, reserving the soaking water.
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Strain the soaking water into a medium saucepan.
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Add ouzo (or wine); bring to a boil over high heat.
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Add geranium leaves (if using), cinnamon stick, orange zest and the figs.
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Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the figs are plump and the liquid is the consistency of a thin syrup, 10 to 15 minutes.
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Remove the figs with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool.
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Stir 1/2 cup sugar into the liquid, adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, 15 to 25 minutes.
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28
Discard the geranium leaves, cinnamon stick and orange zest.
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Chop the figs and return them to the syrup.
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Remove the pan sides from the cheesecake.
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Serve each slice topped with some of the fig sauce and a rose geranium leaf, if desired.
