Instant Pesto Torta With Bread And Vegetables Recipes

GRILLED BABY VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan, indoor or outdoor grill to medium high-high heat. Place the vegetables in a large plastic food storage bag. Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl, stream in the extra-virgin olive oil and beat dressing with a fork. Pour dressing into the food storage bag and seal bag. Coat the vegetables evenly with dressing then grill vegetables a couple of minutes on each side until marked and tender. Arrange on a small platter.

BALSAMIC GLAZED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Place veggies in a pan with water and vinegar. Bring to a boil and cover. Reduce heat to medium and cook 10 minutes. Remove lid and raise heat back up. Allow the water to boil away and the vinegar to reduce and glaze the veggies, about 5 to 7 minutes. When the vegetables are glazed, to a sweet, rich brown color add butter to the pan. Turn veggies to coat lightly with butter. Season with salt, pepper and serve. Garnish with parsley.
• For an optional glaze for the vegetables, substitute 1/4 melted butter and 1/4 cup honey for 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar. Follow method as listed.

INSTANT PICKLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Blanch the cauliflower, carrots and celery in salted boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes. Drain, then transfer to a heatproof shallow bowl (do not shock in cold water as you normally would when blanching). Toss with the olives and cherry peppers. The warm vegetables will soak up some of the brine.
• Combine the vinegar, 1 cup water, the sugar, 2 rounded tablespoons salt and the bay leaves in a pot. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar and salt, then pour over the vegetables. Let cool, tossing occasionally. Serve at room temperature. Refrigerate any leftovers.

ARTICHOKE PESTO TORTA

Steps:

• Blend the artichokes, parsley, nuts, lemon peel, lemon juice, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a food processor, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally, until the artichokes are very finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually pour in 1/4 cup oil. Continue blending until the pesto is creamy. Season the pesto, to taste, with more salt and pepper.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
• Spray a 2 to 3 cup bowl with nonstick spray. Line the bowl with plastic wrap, extending the plastic over the sides. Spread enough cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared bowl to form a 1/2-inch layer. Top with enough pesto to form a 1/2-inch layer. Repeat layering the remaining cream cheese mixture and pesto. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 2 days.
• Invert the torta onto a platter and remove the plastic. Garnish with parsley sprigs. Serve with bread, crackers, and vegetables.

EASY CHEESY FONDUE WITH FINGERLING POTATOES, FRENCH BREAD AND SELECT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Cover potatoes with water and bring the water to a boil. Salt the water and simmer potatoes 10 to 12 minutes, until just tender. Drain potatoes and return to warm pot to dry the potatoes. Drizzle potatoes with a little oil to keep them from discoloring and to shine them up.
• Fill a second skillet or saucepan with 2 inches of water. Cover and bring the water to a boil on the stovetop. Salt the water, replace the cover and reduce heat to simmer.
• To a heavy saucepan over moderate heat, add 1 tablespoon oil and the chopped shallots. Saute shallots for 2 or 3 minutes, then add sherry and allow it to almost evaporate, a minute or two. Add half-and-half to the pan and reduce heat to low. Cut cream cheese into 1-inch slices and add it to the pot. Allow the cream cheese to slowly melt into the half-and-half, 5 minutes. Add Parmesan and shredded Gruyere or Swiss to the sauce and stir until cheese is melted and fully incorporated. Stir in lemon juice. Season sauce with, nutmeg and black pepper. Place a candle underneath a wire rack or warm a fondue pot. Transfer cheese sauce to fondue pot or place saucepan over wire rack and burning candle.
• To simmering, salted water, add broccoli and cook florets, covered, 3 minutes. Remove broccoli with a slotted spoon to a plate and add asparagus tips. Cook asparagus tips 2 minutes, then remove with tongs to a plate.
• Arrange the items for dipping on a large serving platter. Garnish the cooked potatoes with chives. Set the cubed baguette on the opposite end of the platter, to balance color. Between potatoes and bread, arrange cooked broccoli, asparagus and cherry tomatoes. Set out fondue forks or bamboo skewers for dipping. Place small dishes of cornichons, marinated mushrooms and pickled onions near dipping station for accompaniments.

PESTO TORTE

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese and butter until well blended.
• Mix pesto and parmesan cheese in small bowl.
• Line two 8 oz custard cups (or loaf pan) with plastic wrap.
• Divide cream cheese mixture into four parts (2 for a loaf) Spoon 1/4 of cream cheese mixture into each custard cup.
• Sprinkle each with 1/4 of the tomatoes.
• Spread 1/4 of the pesto mixture over tomatoes.
• Repeat layers.
• Fold plastic wrap over each torte, sealing well.
• Chill overnight until firm.
• Unmold, remove plastic wrap.
• Serve with crusty French bread slices.
• Garnish with chives, parsley, or"whatever" for color.

PESTO AND PEPPER VEGETABLE TORTA

Steps:

• Sauté onions in oil in a large skillet for about 20 minutes until very soft, stirring frequently. Preheat oven to 375°F Unwrap pie crust and form into a ball. Set aside 1/4 of dough and roll larger piece into a 14-inch circle. Press onto bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Spread half the onions, olives and peppers in the bottom of the pastry lined pan. In a medium bowl, stir together ricotta and pesto; spread half of mixture over peppers. Top with half of mozzarella, then repeat layers. Roll out smaller piece of dough and place on top. Fold in sides of the pastry so that it overlaps the top circle of dough. Bake for 1 hour, then let cool. Remove sides from pan and cut into thin wedges. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
• Cook time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Nutrition Per Serving: 230 calories, 10 g protein, 15 g total fat (6 g sat., 0 g trans), 16 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 20 mg cholesterol, 380 mg sodium, 5.5 points.