Grilled Pesto French Bread Recipes

GRILLED STUFFED FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Spray 18-inch piece of heavy-duty foil with cooking spray.
• Cut bread loaf diagonally into 12 slices to within 1/2 inch of bottom of loaf. Spread pesto on both sides of slices. Sprinkle slices with cheese. Securely wrap loaf in foil.
• Grill bread uncovered 5 to 6 inches from medium heat about 10 minutes, turning once, until hot.

GRILLED FRENCH BREAD PIZZA WITH MUSHROOM PESTO AND FONTINA CHEESE

Steps:

• Place the porcini mushrooms in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit until softened, 30 minutes.
• Heat the grill to high.
• Brush the cremini or white button mushroom caps with the canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the mushrooms on the grill, cap side down and grill until golden brown and slightly charred, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the caps over and continue grilling until the mushrooms are cooked through, about 5 minutes longer. Remove from the grill, let cool slightly then coarsely chop.
• Remove the porcinis from the soaking liquid and place in the bowl of a food processor with a few tablespoons of the soaking liquid. Add cremini mushrooms, garlic pulp, walnuts, parsley and thyme in a food processor and process until finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly add 1/2 cup of the olive oil and process until smooth. Add 1/4 cup of the Romano cheese and pulse a few times to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper.
• Brush the bread on the cut side with the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Evenly spread the pesto over the cut side of each half of bread. Top the pesto with the fontina cheese, return to the grill, cheese side up, close the cover of the grill and cook until the cheese has melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the grill and sprinkle with the remaining Romano.

GRILLED BREAD (PANE ALLA GRILLIA)

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Slice ciabatta in half lengthwise. Then cut each half into 1-inch slices. In batches as needed, grill the ciabatta slices, cut side down until they are golden and crisp, about 2 minutes. Working quickly, drizzle the toasted sides with extra-virgin olive oil. Rub the garlic cloves over the grilled bread, then rub the cut side of the tomatoes over the grilled bread. It's important to do this while the bread is still hot or warm, otherwise the garlic won't melt into the bread. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve warm.

BASIL PESTO BREAD

Steps:

• For the pesto, combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Puree until the mixture forms a smooth, thick paste. Slice the baguette lengthwise horizontally. Spread the pesto over the cut sides of the baguette and toast in the oven until crispy and golden.

PESTO GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Spread one side of a slice of bread with butter, and place it, buttered side down, into a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Spread the top of the bread slice in the skillet with half the pesto sauce, and place a slice of provolone cheese, the tomato slices, and the slice of American cheese onto the pesto.
• Spread remaining pesto sauce on one side of the second slice of bread, and place the bread slice, pesto side down, onto the sandwich. Butter the top side of the sandwich.
• Gently fry the sandwich, flipping once, until both sides of the bread are golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes per side.

GRILLED PESTO BREADSTICKS WITH GOAT CHEESE-PESTO SPREAD

Steps:

• Purée goat cheese in processor.Mix in 7 ounces pesto. Transfer to medium bowl.(Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before serving)
• Prepare barbeque (medium-high heat). Halve each bread piece lengthwise, then cut each half lengthwise into 1 1/4-inch-wide strips. Combine 7 ounces pesto and oil in small bowl. Brush bread with pesto mixture. Grill until brown, about 45 seconds per side. Serve with cheese spread.

PESTO AND MOZZARELLA FRENCH BREAD PIZZA

Steps:

• Make the pesto: Heat the oven to 450 degrees with a rack in the middle position. Combine basil, 1 garlic clove and pine nuts in a food processor, and pulse until finely chopped. With the machine running, stream in the olive oil. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add Parmesan and salt, and pulse to combine.
• Prepare the pizza: Combine the 1/4 cup olive oil and grated garlic in a small pot over medium. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the garlic starts to sizzle (but doesn't begin to brown), 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Place the French bread cut side up on a baking sheet. Brush cut sides with garlic oil. Bake until edges are golden, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Spread the pesto over the two halves all the way to the edges and top with the cheese. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is evenly melted, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to broil and broil (watch carefully!) until the cheese is bubbly and browned in spots, 1 to 2 minutes more. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Top with red-pepper flakes, oregano and more Parmesan, if you like.

GRILLED PESTO BREAD

Steps:

• Cut bread diagonally into 12 slices.
• Brush slices with oil.
• Add bread to griddle pan and lightly toast on both sides.
• Top half the slices with basil pesto and half with tomato pesto and serve.

GRILLED ITALIAN STUFFED FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• 1. Preheat grill to medium heat.Slice bread into 12 pieces.
• 2. Mix together cream cheese and pesto. Spread over both sides of slices then sprinkle slices with cheese.
• 3. Spray a 15" piece of heavy foil with cooking oil. Reassemble loaf then wrap tightly in foil.
• 4. Grill 12-15 minutes or until heated through. Turning half way through cooking time.
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