Basil Pesto Tomato Cheese And French Bread Melt Food

BASIL PESTO BREAD ROUNDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven on broiler setting. Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Place under broiler for 5 to 8 minutes, or until lightly toasted on one side. Watch carefully to ensure they don't burn. Remove from oven, and flip bread slices so that the toasted side is on the bottom.
• Set the oven temperature for 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, pesto, garlic, Parmesan and salt. Spread evenly over untoasted sides of bread slices.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Set the oven to broil, and place the rounds under the broiler just until they begin to bubble and turn golden. Let cool slightly before serving.

BASIL PESTO BREAD

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, puree the basil leaves, olive oil and garlic. Mix in the pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. Continue processing until desired consistency is reached.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Slice Italian bread to desired thickness. Spread a layer of pesto on each slice. Top with roma (plum) tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
• Place topped bread slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Broil 5 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

PESTO GARLIC BREAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven for 350°F.
• Slice the bread evenly from the top leaving half an inch at the bottom.
• Combine basil pesto and garlic.
• Stuff pesto mixture on to the bread.
• Sprinkle grated cheese over the top.
• Bake them for about 10 minutes or until cheese melts down.
• Serve Pesto Garlic Bread immediately.

FRENCH BREAD PIZZAS WITH RICOTTA, ROASTED TOMATOES, AND PESTO

Steps:

• Position rack in top third of oven and preheat to 425°F. Toss tomatoes, 1 Tbsp. oil, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until tomatoes start to blister, about 13 minutes.
• Place bread, cut side up, on another rimmed baking sheet and bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven and rub cut sides with garlic.
• Dollop ricotta on cut sides of bread. Top evenly with tomato mixture, then sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until Parmesan melts, about 10 minutes.
• Whisk pesto and remaining 2 tsp. oil in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle on pizzas and season with salt and pepper.

TOMATO, BASIL AND CHEESE BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt the water. Add small shell pasta and cook the pasta to al dente doneness which means that the pasta will still have a bite to it or be a little chewy. The pasta will soak up more juice and keep on cooking after we drain it, so we need it to be a little under cooked. The shells will probably cook about 9 or 10 minutes.
• Preheat a deep, big skillet or a medium sauce pot over medium heat.
• Place garlic on the cutting board and place the flat of your knife on top of each clove. Carefully give the garlic a whack with the palm of your hand to separate the cloves from the skins. Throw out the skins and chop up the garlic. Remember to keep your fingers curled under and the edge of your sharp, chef's knife tilted slightly away from your body.
• Add extra-virgin olive oil to the pan by pouring a slow stream of it twice-around-the-pan. This will be about 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Do not let the oil pour out too fast. You are looking for a slow, steady stream. Add the garlic to the oil. To chop the onion, cut the ends off and cut the whole onion down the center. Wrap half and save it. Cut the other half into thin slices then twist the slices a quarter turn and chop them again. Hold the tip of knife on the cutting board and lift the back of the knife up and down over the onion to make the pieces really small. Add the chopped up onion to the garlic and oil. Cook, stirring a lot, 5 minutes until the onions are mushy and look cooked.
• Add the tomatoes to the onions and stir. When the tomatoes come to a bubble, reduce the heat under the sauce to low. Stir in basil pieces to wilt them. Season the sauce with salt and peppe, to your taste.
• Preheat your broiler to high and place a rack in the center of the oven.
• Drain pasta shells. Add them to a flameproof casserole dish. Add pesto sauce, 1 cup of ricotta cheese and a handful of grated Parmigiano, too. Stir carefully and coat the hot pasta with the pesto and cheeses. Pour the hot tomato and basil sauce over the pasta, as much as you like. You can always serve a little extra at the table, to pass around. Shred up some mozzarella cheese with a grater and scatter it over the pasta. Add a final sprinkle of Parmigiano to the mozzarella as well. Place the casserole under the broiler in the middle of oven, 10 to 12 inches from the heat. Let the cheese melt and bubble on top, 3 to 5 minutes.

BASIL PESTO, TOMATO, CHEESE AND FRENCH BREAD MELT.

Steps:

• Cut french bread across the loaf or at a small angle, making your pieces and inch thick or even thicker.
• With a brush, lightly paint one side and the slice edges with olive oil.
• Spread a thin layer of Bonnie's Pesto on the slices. (or thick if you like).
• Arrange slices of tomato in the top of the slice to cover.
• Lightly salt and pepper.
• Either broil or use a toaster oven to quickly toast the tomato slices. The tomato will not be "cooked" but simply heated up a little.
• When they are almost done, remove and sprinkle to cover with the two cheeses mixed together. Return to toaster until cheese is melted.
• This is an excellent appetizer or side dish with anything italian.

TOMATO-BASIL PARTY DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir until tender, 1-2 minutes. Add tomatoes, pasta sauce, basil, salt and pepper; heat through. Transfer to an ungreased 1-1/2 qt. shallow baking dish. Spoon cheese into center of sauce; dollop pesto over cheese. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 25-30 minutes., Meanwhile, brush baguette slices with oil. Arrange on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until toasted, 2-4 minutes on each side. Serve with dip.