Sun Dried Tomato Pine Nut Cheddar Spread Recipes

SUN DRIED TOMATO PINE NUT CHEDDAR SPREAD

Steps:

• toast the pine nuts in a fry pan. heat on med-high heat.keep shaking the pan back and forth until nuts are toasted. One -two minutes. Put in a small bowl to cool.
• combine cheese,butter,and wine in a food processor. pulse well until well mixed.put in a bowl and beat with mixer.
• Add the sun dried tomatoes,and thyme to the pne nuts,and combine well.
• line a small oblong dish,or mini loaf pan with saran wrap. Flatten out any wrinkles in the wrap. Smooth out. spread 1/3 of cheese on the bottom of the plastic lined pan.Sprinkle half of the tomato mixture over the cheese.alternate in layers. End with the cheese layer on top.
• fold the wrap over the cheese loaf nice and snug. Put in refrigerator for a few hours,and take out, unwrap, and place on platter with crackers,and serve.

PASTA WITH MUSHROOMS, SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Place sun-dried tomatoes in small bowl. Pour 2 cups boiling water over. Let stand until tomatoes soften, about 15 minutes. Drain tomatoes, reserving soaking liquid. Thinly slice tomatoes.
• Spray large nonstick skillet generously with vegetable oil spray. Add mushrooms, onion, wine, garlic, reserved tomato soaking liquid and sliced tomatoes. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until liquids are reduced by half and vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook, pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Return pasta to same large pot.
• Pour sauce from skillet over pasta. Add Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Toss, adding reserved cooking liquid by 1/4 cupfuls if mixture is dry. Mix in basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO SPREAD

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, mix tomato paste, basil, olive oil, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, white sugar and garlic salt. Blend to the consistency of a spreadable paste. Chill in the refrigerator until serving.

PASTA WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large pot, and cook pasta.
• add olive oil, garlic, red pepper, pine-nuts, sun-dried tomatoes and onion to a large saute pan set on high heat.
• Cook until the onion is soft and the garlic is beginning to brown, about 3 minute.
• stir in wine and boil until wine is reduced by half, about 1-2 minute.
• Pour in chicken stock, salt, pepper and bring to a boil.
• reduce heat to medium and simmer for 7 min., until sauce is slightly thickened.
• When sauce is done and pasta is drained, pour sauce over the pasta and cook over medium heat for 3 min., stirring constantly.
• remove from heat and sprinkle with cheese -- SERVE!

PASTA WITH PINE NUTS AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook fusilli pasta in large pot of boiling water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta well. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add pasta and fry until beginning to crisp at edges, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Transfer pasta to large bowl.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to same skillet. Add toasted pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes and stir over high heat until just warmed through, about 1 minute. Pour pine nut mixture over pasta. Add chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese and toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

CREAMY SUN-DRIED TOMATO SPREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, onion and garlic until blended. Stir in tomatoes and red peppers. Stir in mozzarella cheese, Italian cheese blend and 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese., Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, until edges are bubbly and lightly browned, 18-22 minutes or until edges are bubbly and lightly browned. Serve with crackers.

SPAGHETTI WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES & PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water, and set aside to soften for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large covered pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, in a small pan on low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl, heat the oil and garlic until golden. Set aside. Drain the sun-dried tomatoes, reserving the soaking liquid. Cut the tomatoes into thin strips.
• When the pasta is done, drain it and place in a serving bowl. Add the cooked garlic, sun-dried tomato strips, pine nuts, and parsley. Toss well. Stir in some of the reserved sun-dried tomato soaking liquid to moisten the pasta, if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot, topped with grated cheese if you like.
• Ingredient Notes
• Add chopped fresh tomatoes, a couple tablespoons of capers or sliced olives, and/or some thinly sliced fresh fennel (sauté it in the oil before adding the garlic).
• Serving & menu ideas
• Have a tossed green salad and enjoy Mocha Sorbet (page 272) for dessert.