Provolone Pesto Loaf Recipes

PROVOLONE PESTO LOAF

Steps:

• You will need: Loaf Pan (91/2 X5 1/2) and Cloth Napkin (Dampened).
• Drain the roasted peppers and pat them dry, chop into small pieces.
• Once the cream cheese has softened add the crushed garlic and mix well, along a pinch of salt & pepper.
• Pesto sauce should be stirred several time so it will not separate as you divide the pesto.
• Take the damp cloth napkin and line the loaf pan.
• Make sure your push the napkin into the corners as much as possible.
• Then Layer: (Spread each item out ot the edges as much as possible).
• 1/3 of provolone (lay the cheese on the bottom of the loaf pan and then do the sides & ends making sure you get the corners. Make sure that the cheese is overlapping the sides of the loaf pan).
• 1/3 of the Pesto Sauce (thin layer).
• 1/2 of the Roasted Red Peppers.
• 1/2 of the Cream Cheese Repeat this sequence once, then end with Pesto and Provolone last.
• Wrap with the overlap of the cloth napkin, cover pan with saran wrap and refrigerate overnite.
• Turn out onto platter.
• Remove the napkin (the napkin will be oily).
• Garnish with Fresh Basil or Parsley.
• Using a spreader cut into the loaf and spread it onto the bread.
• Serve with Italian or French Bread.

PROVOLONE AND PESTO CHEESE TORTE

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch-square pan with plastic wrap, extending the ends of the wrap over the edges of the pan.
• Line the pan with the provolone cheese (reserve a few slices for another layer of the torte), overlapping the slices a bit and pressing the edges together slightly. The cheese should extend over the edges of the pan enough that it can help encase the finished torte layers.
• Using a food processor, mix together the cram cheese, butter and garlic. Spread the ingredients in layers in the following order: one-third of the mixture, one-half of the pesto, a layer of provolone, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, one-third of the mixture, the remaining pesto, and the remaining mixture.
• Fold the sides of the cheese over the mixture to encase it, using another slice in the middle, if needed. Fold the edges of plastic wrap over the finished cheese torte, covering tightly. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
• To serve, invert the mold onto a cutting board, remove the plastic wrap and cut the torte diagonally into halves or fourths. Serve with crackers or baguette slices.
• Red and green grapes make a good accompaniment.

ITALIAN SUN-DRIED TOMATO, PROVOLONE AND PESTO TORTE

Steps:

• Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Turn off the heat. Place sun-dried tomatoes in the water, and cover for 5 minutes. Drain, and finely chop.
• In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese and garlic.
• Line a medium bowl or loaf pan with a large piece of dampened cheese cloth. Layer with 1/3 of the provolone cheese. Spread with 1/2 of the cream cheese mixture. Pour in 1/2 of the pesto. Layer with 1/2 of the sun-dried tomatoes. Layer with 1/3 of the provolone cheese, remaining cream cheese mixture, remaining pesto, and remaining sun-dried tomatoes. Top with remaining provolone cheese.
• Pull cheese cloth around the layered mixture and gently press into a bowl to mold and remove excess oil. Chill in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours. Remove cheese cloth and invert onto serving platter.
• Garnish as desired with basil, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, lemon wedges, olive oil, etc.
• Enjoy!

PESTO LOAF

Steps:

• 1. Line a 1 lb. bread loaf pan (9 x 5) with wax paper; make sure you leave enough on each side to wrap over the top when done.
• 2. Mix the soften cream cheese with the minced garlic
• 3. Line the bottom of the pan with 1/3 of the provolone cheese, which is about 7 to 9 slices. Then spread a 1/3 of pesto over the cheese. Next sprinkle 1/2 of diced roasted peppers over the pesto. Finally, spread 1/2 of the garlic cream cheese over the peppers. Make sure the cream cheese is soft so it spreads easily. Don't worry about what it looks like right now. It will all come together in the end.
• 4. Repeat the above layering, ending with the remaining pesto over the cream cheese and a final layer of provolone cheese on top.
• 5. Cover the top with the wax paper that is hanging over the sides and refrigerate overnight.
• 6. The next day open the top of the wax paper, turn over the loaf pan and shake the pan over a serving dish until the loaf comes out of the pan.
• 7. Serving Suggestion: Serve with small and thin French bread slices putting a small slice of the loaf on a piece of French bread.