Feta Cheese Pesto Torta Recipes

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.

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.

PESTO AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO TORTE

Steps:

• In food processor, place cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and garlic. Cover and process until blended. Divide into thirds (about 1 cup each).
• Line 5-cup mold or 8x4-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap. Spoon one-third of the cheese mixture in bottom of mold; smooth top with spatula. Spoon pesto evenly over cheese layer. Spoon one-third of the cheese mixture over pesto layer; smooth top with spatula. Spoon tomatoes evenly over second cheese layer. Spoon remaining cheese mixture over tomatoes. Strike filled mold on counter to pack down. Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours.
• When ready to serve, turn mold upside down onto serving platter and remove plastic wrap. Serve torte with baguette slices.

PESTO, OLIVE, AND ROASTED-PEPPER GOAT CHEESE TORTA

Steps:

• Drain pesto in a small fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl 15 minutes, then discard excess oil.
• Lightly oil loaf pan and line with a sheet of plastic wrap large enough to allow a generous overhang on all 4 sides.
• Blot peppers well between paper towels to remove excess liquid.
• Spread about one fourth (1/2 cup) of cheese evenly over bottom of loaf pan and top with all of pesto, spreading evenly. Drop 1/2 cup cheese by tablespoons over pesto and spread gently to cover pesto.
• Top with chopped peppers, spreading evenly. Drop another 1/2 cup cheese by tablespoons over peppers and spread gently to cover peppers.
• Spread olive paste evenly on top, then drop remaining cheese by tablespoons over olive paste, spreading gently to cover olive paste. Cover pan with another sheet of plastic wrap and chill at least 8 hours.
• Remove plastic wrap from top of pan and invert torta onto a serving plate, then peel off remaining plastic wrap. Let torta stand at room temperature 20 minutes before serving.

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.