Instant Pesto Torta With Bread And Vegetables Recipes

PESTO TORTA

Steps:

• 1. Blend butter and cream cheese with mixer until creamy.
• 2. Line a small mold with plastic wrap.
• 3. Beginning and ending with cream cheese mixture, alternate layers of cream cheese mixture with pesto sauce, tapping mold to release air bubbles between layers.
• 4. Refrigerate between layers for 5-10 minutes; repeating until mold is full.
• 5. Refrigerate 4-6 hours or overnight until mold is set.
• 6. Invert on plate, removing plastic wrap.
• 7. Garnish with sun dried tomato pieces and shaved Parmesan cheese.
• 8. Serve with crackers or crostinis. Homemade crostinis can be kept in freezer until ready to use.
• 9. Will keep for up to two weeks.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND PESTO TORTA

Steps:

• Beat together cream cheese and butter in food processor (or beaters).
• Add the onion.
• Line a 2 cup margarine tub, or bowl, with plastic wrap.
• Spread 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture in the bottom of the bowl.
• Top with ½ of the pesto and tomatoes.
• Repeat layers.
• Top with cream cheese mixture.
• Spread layers to the edge of the bowl, so they will show through when unmolded.
• Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
• Unmold onto serving plate.
• Serve with baguette slices or your favourite crackers.

ARTICHOKE PESTO TORTA

Steps:

• Blend the artichokes, parsley, nuts, lemon peel, lemon juice, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a food processor, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally, until the artichokes are very finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually pour in 1/4 cup oil. Continue blending until the pesto is creamy. Season the pesto, to taste, with more salt and pepper.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
• Spray a 2 to 3 cup bowl with nonstick spray. Line the bowl with plastic wrap, extending the plastic over the sides. Spread enough cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared bowl to form a 1/2-inch layer. Top with enough pesto to form a 1/2-inch layer. Repeat layering the remaining cream cheese mixture and pesto. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 2 days.
• Invert the torta onto a platter and remove the plastic. Garnish with parsley sprigs. Serve with bread, crackers, and vegetables.

BASIL PESTO BREAD ROUNDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven on broiler setting. Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Place under broiler for 5 to 8 minutes, or until lightly toasted on one side. Watch carefully to ensure they don't burn. Remove from oven, and flip bread slices so that the toasted side is on the bottom.
• Set the oven temperature for 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, pesto, garlic, Parmesan and salt. Spread evenly over untoasted sides of bread slices.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Set the oven to broil, and place the rounds under the broiler just until they begin to bubble and turn golden. Let cool slightly before serving.