Stacked Tomato Salad With Black Olive Tapenade And Sweet Basil Dressing Recipes

STACKED TOMATO SALAD WITH BLACK OLIVE TAPENADE AND BASIL PESTO DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl and wash out the blender or food processor bowl. Refrigerate until needed. (Can be made up to 2 days ahead.)
• Combine the basil, garlic, lemon juice, pine nuts and Dijon mustard in a food processor or blender. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
• With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
• Place 1 tomato slice on each of 5 plates. (Alternately, arrange on a platter.)
• Top with a tablespoon of the tapenade.
• Top with a slice of fresh mozzarella. Repeat layering, finishing each stack with a slice of tomato. (You will have a slice left to enjoy another way.)
• Spoon some of the dressing over each stack and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately.

FRESH BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• Blend the basil, oil, mayonnaise, vinegar, shallots, salt and pepper in a blender or food processor until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.

WOLFGANG'S SALAD TASTING PLATE: BLACK AND GREEN OLIVE TAPENADE

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine all the ingredients, except the olive oil and crostini. Using the pulse button, process until coarsely chopped and well blended. Continue to process, slowly adding the olive oil. Refrigerate in a covered container. Spread on homemade crostini.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• In a pot of boiling water, blanch tomatoes. Drain and refresh in ice water. Drain. Peel, core, cut into quarters, and remove seeds.
• Line a baking tray with parchment paper and arrange the tomato quarters on the tray, cut side down. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Sprinkle with thyme and garlic. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper and sugar, and sprinkle evenly over the tomatoes.
• Bake until the tomatoes begin to shrivel, about 1 hour. When the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, transfer to a container. Pour olive oil over and cover the container. Refrigerate and use as needed.
• Arrange the bread slices in a baking tray. Brush with olive oil and bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Allow to cool, then rub with garlic clove. For each of the crostini, spread 1 tablespoon Herbed Goat Cheese and top with 1 teaspoon Black and Green Olive Tapenade.
• Herbed Goat Cheese: 2 teaspoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves 2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 (7 or 8-ounce) log goat cheese.
• Combine the parsley, chives, thyme, and pepper and place on a flat surface. Roll the log of cheese in the mixture, coating all sides and retaining the shape of the log. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.