Baked Pesto And Sun Dried Tomato Appetizer Recipes

BAKED PESTO AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO APPETIZER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Unroll crescent dough; separate into four rectangles. Place two of the rectangles, side-by-side, on nonstick baking sheet. Firmly press seams and perforations together to seal. Reserve remaining dough for decorative garnish.
• Cut block of cream cheese horizontally in half. Spread pesto onto bottom half of cream cheese; cover with tomatoes. Top with remaining cream cheese to form sandwich. Place in center of dough. Bring up ends of dough around all sides of cream cheese to enclose completely; pinch ends of dough together to seal. Place, seam-side down, on baking sheet. Cut remaining crescent dough into small fun shapes, such as leaves or fruit. Arrange on top of dough.
• Bake 20 min. Serve warm with assorted crackers and fresh vegetables.

BAKED SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND PESTO CREAM CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the pesto and half of the cream cheese (4 ounces). Spread the cream cheese and pesto mixture on the bottom of a small baker (a 2-cup baker works well).
• In a second mixing bowl, or the same bowl*, combine the remaining cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, sour cream, garlic, and dried herbs. Mix well. Spread evenly over pesto mixture.
• Bake for 22-26 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Note cook time may vary depending on the size of your baking dish. Let the dip sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and additional sun-dried tomatoes as desired (pine nuts are yummy, too!).
• Meanwhile, if serving with a baguette, I highly recommend placing it in the oven while the dip rests to warm. Slice and serve with the dip.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND PESTO TORTA

Steps:

• Finely chop garlic in processor. Add basil, 1/4 cup pine nuts, oil and lemon juice. Process until well blended. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Using on/off turns, process just until blended. Transfer pesto to medium bowl.
• Coarsely chop tomatoes in processor. Add tomato paste and process until mixture is almost smooth. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese and blend well.
• Using electric mixer, beat 2 cups cream cheese and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spray 6-cup soufflé dish with nonstick spray. Line with plastic wrap, extending plastic over sides. Spread 3/4 cup cream cheese-butter mixture evenly over bottom of prepared dish. Top with half of tomato mixture, then 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture, then half of pesto mixture. Repeat layering with 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture, remaining tomato mixture, 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture and remaining pesto. Top with remaining cream cheese-butter mixture. Cover and chill overnight. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Invert torta onto platter. Peel off plastic. Garnish with basil sprigs and toasted pine nuts. Serve with baguette slices.

BAKED PESTO & SUN-DRIED TOMATO APPETIZER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Unroll crescent roll dough (I use Pillsbury); separate into 4 rectangles.
• Place 2 of the rectangles side by side, on a nonstick baking dish. Firmly press seams and perforations together to seal. Reserve remaining dough for decorative garnish.
• Cut the block of cream cheese horizontally. Place one half on the pastry. Spread with 2 tsp basil pesto and 2 tsp of finely chopped and drained oil packed sun dried tomatoes. Place the other half of the cream cheese on top to form a sandwich.
• Bring up sides of dough to encase the cream cheese completely and decorate with remainder of dough.
• Bake for 20 minutes. Enjoy!