Baguette Stuffed With Sun Dried Tomatoes Mascarpone And Basil Food

SUN DRIED TOMATO BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F
• Place the bread slices on a parchment lined baking sheet, brush with olive oil on each side and transfer to the oven. Toast the slices on each side until lightly golden, about 6 minutes per side. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the pan.
• In a fine-mesh strainer drain the oil from the tomatoes and spread onto a paper towel-lined plate. With a pad of folded paper towels, blot off as much of the oil as possible. Place the tomatoes on a cutting board and give them a rough chop.
• Spread one tablespoon of the feta cream on each bread slice, add a tablespoon of chopped tomatoes and garnish with oregano. Arrange on a serving plate and enjoy!

BAGUETTE STUFFED WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES, MASCARPONE AND BASIL

Steps:

• Coarsely chop the sun dried tomatoes in a food processor.
• Add the mascarpone and pulse until mixed but not pureed.
• There should still be bits of tomato visible.
• Add the basil, mint,salt and pepper and pluse until just mixed. Do not puree.
• Cut the baguette in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scrape out most of the inside of the bread.
• Fill both sides of the baguette with the mixture and put the halves back together to form a whole loaf again.
• Slice the filled baguette on an angle into 1/2 inch rounds.
• Serve at room temperature on a platter lined with large, fresh basil leaves if desired.
• NOTE: Skip the bread and just fill a bowl with this delicious sun dried tomato mixture.
• Serve as a spread with crackers.
• It's addictive!

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.

BRUSCHETTA WITH PESTO, MOZZARELLA AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Place the olive oil and the garlic in small bowl and let sit for at least 1/2 an hour; preheat the broiler; spread the bread slices on a baking sheet and then brush both sides with the olive oil; broil until golden on both sides (this will only take a couple of minutes).
• Place the tomatoes in a cup and cover with boiling water; after about 5 minutes, remove, pat dry and cut into long thin strips.
• Spread cooled brushetta with pesto of your choosing, a slice of mozzarella and a strip of sun-dried tomato.
• To make red pesto: Place all ingredients except oil in food processor; process adding oil gradually until it forms a paste.
• To make basil pesto: Place all ingredients except oil in food processor; process adding oil gradually until it forms a paste.