CRUST:

1 c. graham cracker crumbs
1/4 c. sugar
3 tbsp. canola oil

FILLING:

3 oz. Neufchatel cheese
2 c. low fat cottage cheese
2 egg whites
1/2 c. sugar
3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. grated lemon rind
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and oil in 9 inch pie plate. Mix well with fork. Press firmly against bottom and halfway up sides of pie plate.

Blend Neufchatel and cottage cheese in food processor or blender, until smooth. Add remaining ingredients. Blend well. Pour mixture ingredients. Blend well. Pour mixture into crust. Bake for 30 minutes. Turn off oven and allow cheesecake to remaining oven for 5 minutes. Cool, then chill. Garnish with lemon slices if desired. Yields 8 servings.

If blender is used, place egg whites, sugar, lemon juice, lemon peel and vanilla in blender container before adding Neufchatel and cottage cheese. Blend until completely smooth, stopping blender and scraping as necessary.