Layered Italian Appetizer Food

LAYERED ITALIAN DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Mix cream cheese and Parmesan until blended; spread onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate.
• Top with layers of remaining ingredients.
• Bake 15 min. or until heated through.

ITALIAN LAYERED DIP

Steps:

• Let cream cheese and goat cheese soften at room temperature. Mix cheeses together with minced garlic. Line a casserole dish with plastic wrap. Put 1/3 of the cheese mixture in the dish, spreading it evenly to the sides. Next, layer ingredients in the following order: the sun-dried tomatoes, 1/3 cheese mixture, pesto, and remaining cheese in the same manner. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.
• To serve, turn upside down on a platter. Serve with crackers.

ITALIAN SEVEN-LAYER DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crostini: Lay the baguette slices on a baking sheet. Brush with the oil and then sprinkle with the salt, garlic powder and some fresh pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Remove the crostini from the oven and set aside. Turn the oven to broil.
• For the dip: In medium bowl, combine the ricotta with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until fully combined, then transfer to an 8-by-8-inch pan, spreading the mixture evenly across the bottom. Set aside.
• In a large pan with a lid, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, and sweat for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the halved grape tomatoes, chicken stock and garlic and bring to a boil; cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the tomatoes have softened and the mixture has thickened, about 15 minutes.
• While the tomatoes are cooking, add the sausage to a saute pan over high heat. Break up sausage with a wooden spoon and cook it through. When the sausage is finished, spoon it directly over the ricotta and spread it out evenly.
• When the tomatoes are done, spoon them over the sausage layer. Top the tomato layer with the sliced pepperoncini, marinated artichokes and roasted peppers. Place the halved ciliegine on top.
• Place the dip under the broiler and broil on high heat until the cheese has browned slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the dip from the broiler and top with the basil. Serve immediately with the crostini.

5 LAYER ITALIAN DIP

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
• Spread mixture on bottom of 9-inch pie plate or quiche dish.
• Layer pesto, pimientos, mozzarella cheese and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese over cream cheese.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
• Serve with crackers or sliced Italian bread.

LAYERED ITALIAN APPETIZER

Steps:

• In medium bowl stir together sour cream, cream cheese and pizza seasoning.
• Spread onto large serving plate to within 1-inch of edge.
• Top with pepperoni,lettuce, tomato, olives and mozzarella. Serve with crisp breadsticks.

LAYERED TORTE APPETIZER

Steps:

• Cream the cream cheese and salad dressing mix together.
• In separate bowl, stir together artichokes, peppers, salt and black pepper, garlic, and parsley.
• In a 3-cup bowl lined with plastic wrap, alternate layers of cheese and vegetables, beginning and ending with cheese layer.
• Invert onto plate; remove plastic wrap.
• You may garnish the top with additional parsley or with sliced black olives, if desired.
• Serve with crackers or fresh veggie dippers.