Basil Sun Dried Tomato Crescents Food

SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND BASIL CROSTINI

Steps:

• Put tomatoes in medium bowl.
• Add 6 tablespoons dressing and toss to coat evenly.
• Marinate at room temperature 30 minutes.
• Cut bread diagonally into 8 slices, about 1/2 inch thick.
• Stack basil leaves and tightly roll up lengthwise.
• Cut crosswise into very thin slices to make chiffonade.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Arrange slices of bread on baking sheet and brush both sides with remaining dressing.
• Bake until light golden, about 3 minutes on each side.
• Divide tomatoes evenly among bread slices.
• Bake until heated through, about 4 minutes.
• Sprinkle with basil and keep warm.
• Serve 2 crostini per person.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO, PINE NUTS AND BASIL STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Cut a deep horizontal pocket in the side of each chicken breast. Make the pocket as large as you can without piercing the top or bottom of the breast. Rub pepper & salt over the breasts. Place 2 slices of tomato 1 teaspoon pine nuts and about 4 basil leaves in the pocket of each chicken breast. Secure the pocket with toothpicks threading along the side to close. Heat the oil in a heavy oven-proof skillet until it begins to smoke. Cook each side of the chicken until golden brown.
• Add the vinegar and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and gently simmer the chicken for 2 or 3 minutes per side until cooked through.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and keep in a warm oven or under a foil tent. Continue to cook the sauce until it is reduced to a thick syrup.
• Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce over each chicken breast. Garnish with fresh basil.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO, BASIL AND BLACK PEPPER SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven 400 degrees.
• Stir together dry ingredients and herbs; first 7 ingredients.
• Blend in butter to look like coarse cornmeal.
• Stir in tomatoes.
• Mix milk with egg; stir into flour mixture until moist.
• Gentily knead 8 to 10 turns; then pat into 6" circle on ungreased baking sheet.
• Cut 8 wedges and separate slightly.
• Bake until golden 15 - 20 minutes.
• Brush with seasoned olive oil or melted butter.

LAYERED SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND BASIL SPREAD

Steps:

• Beat 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Set aside.
• Process dried tomatoes in a food processor until chopped. Add 1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, tomato paste, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; process until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Spoon into a bowl, and set aside. Wipe container of food processor clean.
• Process garlic and next 4 ingredients in food processor until chopped. Add Parmesan cheese, remaining 3-ounce package cream cheese, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; pulse just until blended, stopping to scrape down sides.
• Spray a 6-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Spread 1/2 cup butter mixture evenly on bottom of springform pan. Layer with half of tomato mixture, 1/2 cup butter mixture, and half of basil mixture; top with 1/2 cup butter mixture.
• Repeat layers with remaining tomato mixture, 1/2 cup butter mixture, and remaining basil mixture. Top with remaining butter mixture. Cover with plastic wrap; chill at least 8 hours.
• Run a knife gently around edge of pan to loosen sides. Remove sides of pan; carefully remove bottom of pan, and place layered spread on a serving tray. Garnish, if desired. Serve with crackers or baguette slices.