Basil Sun Dried Tomato Crescents Food

BAKED PESTO AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO APPETIZER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Unroll crescent dough; separate into four rectangles. Place two of the rectangles, side-by-side, on nonstick baking sheet. Firmly press seams and perforations together to seal. Reserve remaining dough for decorative garnish.
• Cut block of cream cheese horizontally in half. Spread pesto onto bottom half of cream cheese; cover with tomatoes. Top with remaining cream cheese to form sandwich. Place in center of dough. Bring up ends of dough around all sides of cream cheese to enclose completely; pinch ends of dough together to seal. Place, seam-side down, on baking sheet. Cut remaining crescent dough into small fun shapes, such as leaves or fruit. Arrange on top of dough.
• Bake 20 min. Serve warm with assorted crackers and fresh vegetables.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO, MOZZARELLA AND BASIL RICE BALLS

Steps:

• Pour the stock into a large saucepan. Bring to the boil. Add the rice, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the rice is cooked through and the liquid has been absorbed.
• Meanwhile, finely chop the basil leaves. Finely dice the yellow pepper. Peel and finely dice the onion. Set aside, keeping the basil separate from the onion and pepper.
• When the rice is done, uncover it and put the whole pan in a sink of cold water to cool the rice.
• While the rice cools, put the olive oil and onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add the yellow pepper and garlic. Cook around 5 minutes, until soft.
• Add the passata to the skillet with the onion and pepper. Turn the heat to low. Give the passata mixture a chance to simmer and thicken slightly.
• While it simmers, make the rice balls- add the cheese, egg yolk, flour, tomato paste, basil leaves and sundried tomatoes to the cooled rice. Stir it together well.
• Shape the rice mixture into about 16 balls and place them on top of the sauce. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes, until the rice balls are cooked through.
• Serve hot, sprinkled with parmesan cheese if desired.

FRESH TOMATO BASIL CRESCENT PIZZA

Steps:

• Unroll crescent dough into one long rectangle and press into an ungreased 9x13 baking pan.
• Seal seams and perforations and bake at 375° for 14 minutes or until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute garlic and basil in oil over low heat just until garlic softens - but do not brown the garlic.
• Sprinkle half of mozzarella over the crust.
• Place sliced tomatoes over cheese and drizzle oil mixture over.
• Top with rest of mozzarella, sprinkle with Parmesan, Italian seasoning and black pepper.
• Bake for 10 to 14 more minutes or until cheese is melted.

BASIL BURGERS WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine tomatoes and water. Let stand for 5 minutes; drain. In a food processor, combine mayonnaise and tomatoes; cover and process until blended. Chill until serving., In a large bowl, combine the Worcestershire sauce, basil, Italian seasoning, garlic, pepper and salt. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 12 thin patties. Place 2 tablespoons cheese on six patties; top with remaining patties and press edges firmly to seal., On a greased grill, cook burgers, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 160° and juices run clear. Serve on buns with mayonnaise mixture and, if desired, additional basil.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND BASIL BREAD

Steps:

• Place all ingredients except tomatoes in bread machine pan in order specified by owner's manual.
• Spoon tomatoes into 4 corners of pan; do not cover yeast.
• Program basic cycle and desired crust setting; press start.
• Remove baked bread from pan; cool on wire rack.
• Makes one 1 1/2 pound loaf, or 12 servings.

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.