Basil Parmesan Fans Recipes

BUTTERY BASIL PARMESAN PUFFS

Steps:

• Finely chop basil leaves and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400.
• Bring water, butter and salt to a rolling boil in a medium-sized saucepan.
• When butter has melted, add flour, all at once, and whisk vigorously over medium heat until mixture forms a smooth thick dough that pulls away from sides of the pan.
• Transfer dough to the mixing bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer.
• Using the paddle attachment, beat mixture on medium until slightly cool.
• Add basil and mix until incorporated and dough is bright green.
• Add eggs, one at a time, to mixture and beat until smooth.
• Continue to mix for one minute.
• Add cheese and proces until incorporated.
• Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• Drop dough in tablespoon sized balls on cookie sheets, allowing about 1 inch of space between each.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp.
• Serve while still warm.
• (Dough may be piped onto cookie sheet using a piping bag and plain tip,#8 or#9.) Plan ahead: To prepare now and bake later, unbaked puffs can be refrigerated for up to six hours before baking, or frozen on cookie sheets, transfered to freezer bags or containers and baked directly from freezer.
• Allow an extra five minutes baking time for frozen puffs.
• Offer a spread: Make a delicious butter spread, such as sun-dried tomato butter, to complement the puffs.
• Combine 1 pound of butter, 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 cup of pine nuts and 1 tablespoon of fresh garlic in a mixing bowl.
• Mix together, then salt and pepper to taste.

BASIL, PARMESAN AND CASHEW DIP

Steps:

• Place the basil leaves, nuts, garlic and parmesan in a food processor. Process until finely chopped.
• Slowly, in a thin stream, add the olive oil until well combined.
• VARIATION: Use coriander, pine nuts and add some lime.

BASIL PARMESAN DIP (COOKING LIGHT)

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in food processor or blender and process until smooth.
• Serve with pita chips, bagel crisps, or bread cubes. Or use instead of mayonnaise on a turkey sandwich.

BASIL PARMESAN FANS

Steps:

• Using two knives or a pastry blender, cut butter into flour and salt until mixture resembles fine crumbs; stir in the sour cream with a fork until incorporated well and you've made a ball of dough.
• Divide the resulting pastry dough into 4 portions; wrap each portion in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Pre-heat oven to 350F degrees.
• Mix together the cheese, garlic powder, and dried basil; divide into 4 portions.
• Roll each portion of the pastry into a rectangle, about 12x6 inches, on a well-floured board and sprinkle with a portion of the cheese mixture.
• Fold ends to meet in center, forming a square; sprinkle with a portion of the cheese mixture.
• Fold in the previously-folded edges to meet in the center, sprinkle with a portion of cheese mixture, then fold lengthwise in half (as if you were closing a book).
• Flatten the dough lightly, sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture, then fold lengthwise again.
• Cut approximately 3/16-inch slices on the folded edge and place slices on an un-greased cookie sheet.
• Bring the ends of each slice together to form a fan shape.
• Bake until light brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Makes about 48 fans, which make nice appetizers.

PARMESAN FLAN WITH TOMATOES & BASIL (COOKING LIGHT)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• Coat 4 (6-ounce) custard cups or ramekins with cooking spray. Place 3 tablespoons flour in a medium bowl. Gradually add milk to bowl, stirring constantly with a whisk until blended. Add egg whites and eggs; stir well. Add Parmigiano-Reggiano, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; stir well. Divide mixture evenly among prepared custard cups. Place custard cups in a 9-inch square baking pan; add hot water to the pan to a depth of 1 inch. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until puffy and set.
• Combine tomato, dash of salt, and dash of pepper in a medium bowl. Loosen edges of flans with a knife or rubber spatula. Place a plate, upside down, on top of each cup; invert onto plates. Spoon 1/2 cup tomato mixture over each flan. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon basil.

SLOW-ROASTED FILET OF BEEF AND BASIL PARMESAN MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Use an oven thermometer to be sure your oven temperature is accurate.
• Place the filet on a sheet pan and pat it dry (all over) with paper towels. Brush the filet all over with the oil, reserving about half a tablespoon. Sprinkle it all over with the salt and pepper (it will seem like a lot but believe me, it makes a difference). Place the tarragon branches around the beef, tying them in 4 or 5 places with kitchen twine to keep them in place, and then brush the tarragon with the reserved oil.
• Roast the filet of beef for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, until the temperature registers 125 degrees in the center for rare and 135 degrees for medium-rare. Cover the filet with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 20 minutes. Slice thickly and serve warm or at room temperature with Basil Parmesan Mayonnaise.
• Place the egg yolks, lemon juice, Parmesan, mustard, basil, garlic, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process for 20 seconds, until smooth. Combine the vegetable oil and olive oil in a 2-cup liquid measuring cup. With the processor running, slowly pour the oil mixture through the feed tube to make a thick emulsion. Taste for seasonings -- the mayonnaise is a sauce so it should be highly seasoned. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use; it will keep for up to a week.

BASIL PARMESAN PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a nonstick skillet, saute garlic in oil until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until blended (mixture will be thick). Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; gradually stir in Parmesan cheese and basil until cheese is melted. Serve over pasta.

ORZO WITH PARMESAN AND BASIL

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy skillet over medium high heat.
• Stir in orzo and saute until lightly browned.
• Stir in chicken stock and bring to a boil.
• Cover, reduce heat and simmer until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Mix in parmesan cheese and basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.