FETA CHEESE & PESTO TORTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F if using a silver 9-inch springform pan (or to 300°F if using a dark nonstick 9-inch springform pan). Spread butter onto bottom and 1 inch up side of pan. Coat with combined crumbs and Parmesan cheese; discard any excess crumbs and cheese. Wrap foil around bottom and up side of pan.
• Beat cream cheese, sour cream and hot pepper sauce in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Stir in feta cheese. (Batter will not be smooth.) Pour half of the batter (about 3-1/2 cups) into large bowl; stir in pesto. Pour into prepared pan; cover with remaining plain batter. Place springform pan in larger shallow baking pan. Fill baking pan with enough hot water to come 1 inch up side of springform pan.
• Bake 45 min. or until center is set. Turn off oven; leave door ajar. Let torta stand in water bath in oven 1 hour. Remove torta from water bath. Run knife or metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen torta; cool before removing rim of pan. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve as spread with assorted crackers or toasted French bread slices. Store leftover torta in refrigerator.