Sun Dried Tomato Pine Nut Cheddar Spread Recipes

PASTA WITH PINE NUTS AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook fusilli pasta in large pot of boiling water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta well. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add pasta and fry until beginning to crisp at edges, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Transfer pasta to large bowl.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to same skillet. Add toasted pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes and stir over high heat until just warmed through, about 1 minute. Pour pine nut mixture over pasta. Add chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese and toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

LAYERED SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND BASIL SPREAD

Steps:

• Beat 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Set aside.
• Process dried tomatoes in a food processor until chopped. Add 1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, tomato paste, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; process until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Spoon into a bowl, and set aside. Wipe container of food processor clean.
• Process garlic and next 4 ingredients in food processor until chopped. Add Parmesan cheese, remaining 3-ounce package cream cheese, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; pulse just until blended, stopping to scrape down sides.
• Spray a 6-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Spread 1/2 cup butter mixture evenly on bottom of springform pan. Layer with half of tomato mixture, 1/2 cup butter mixture, and half of basil mixture; top with 1/2 cup butter mixture.
• Repeat layers with remaining tomato mixture, 1/2 cup butter mixture, and remaining basil mixture. Top with remaining butter mixture. Cover with plastic wrap; chill at least 8 hours.
• Run a knife gently around edge of pan to loosen sides. Remove sides of pan; carefully remove bottom of pan, and place layered spread on a serving tray. Garnish, if desired. Serve with crackers or baguette slices.

BAKED BRIE WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Trim white rind off top of cheese. Place cheese in a pie plate.
• Mix tomatoes and parsley. Spread evenly over cheese. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Bake 10 minutes until heated through.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO, FETA AND PINE NUT SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Toss 3 cups cubed Italian bread with olive oil. Season with seasoned salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Spread out in a single layer in a well oiled 9x13 inch baking dish. Broil until toasted, turning to brown evenly. Set croutons aside to cool.
• Spread pine nuts on a baking sheet, place on bottom rack of the oven, and toast under broiler. This should only take a few minutes, so watch carefully to prevent burning. Set aside to cool.
• Soak sun-dried tomatoes in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes, or until soft. Drain, and slice.
• In a large salad bowl, toss mixed greens with green onions. Top with croutons, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and feta.

PASTA WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large pot, and cook pasta.
• add olive oil, garlic, red pepper, pine-nuts, sun-dried tomatoes and onion to a large saute pan set on high heat.
• Cook until the onion is soft and the garlic is beginning to brown, about 3 minute.
• stir in wine and boil until wine is reduced by half, about 1-2 minute.
• Pour in chicken stock, salt, pepper and bring to a boil.
• reduce heat to medium and simmer for 7 min., until sauce is slightly thickened.
• When sauce is done and pasta is drained, pour sauce over the pasta and cook over medium heat for 3 min., stirring constantly.
• remove from heat and sprinkle with cheese -- SERVE!

DIP FOR THE STARS

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the butter, feta cheese, cream cheese, garlic, shallot, vermouth, and white pepper. Process until smooth.
• Oil a medium bowl, or gelatin mold, and line with plastic wrap for easy removal. Layer the dip into the mold as follows: Sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, pesto, cheese mixture. Repeat. Pat down into the mold, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
• Turn the dip out onto a serving plate, and remove plastic wrap. Serve with crackers.