Spinach Appetizer Torte With Provolone Recipe 455

SPINACH APPETIZER TORTE WITH PROVOLONE RECIPE - (4.5/5)

Steps:

• Dust the sides of a buttered 9 inch pan with 2 Tbs. breadcrumbs. Combine remaining 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter in a small bow; stir well. Press mixture in the bottom of 9 inch pan; refridgerate until batter is complete. Beat cream cheese until smooth; add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add half-and-half, salt, ground red pepper and black pepper; blend well. Stir in Provolone cheese. Divide batter into two equal portions; set aside. Melt remaining 2 Tbs. butter in a large skillet; add mushrooms, leeks, and garlic. Saute until leeks are tender. Remove from heat, and blend in spinach. Add spinach mixture to one half of cream cheese batter; blend well, and pour into prepared crust. Add roasted red bell peppers to remaining half of cream cheese batter; blend well, and pour evenly over spinach batter. Tap pan gently on counter to remove any air pockets. Bake in a preheated 325 over for 1 hour or until just set. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack. Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours before serving. Remove torte from pan, and garnish with fresh leeks and red bell pepper strips. Serve at room temperature with toasted French bread baguette slices.

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!