Mozzarella Pesto Spread Food

MOZZARELLA AND PESTO TWISTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Unroll the crescent dough sheet onto a lightly floured work surface and gently stretch into a 14-by-8-inch rectangle. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough in half into two 7-by-8-inch rectangles. Using a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread 2 tablespoons of the pesto on the top half of each rectangle, then sprinkle 1/2 cup of the mozzarella evenly over each half. Fold the bottom half of the dough upwards to cover the mozzarella and pesto and gently press the edges to seal.
• Cut each rectangle into 8 strips, each about 1/2 inch wide. Carefully twist each strip several times, making sure to keep the filling intact, then place on the prepared baking sheet and pinch the ends to seal. Refrigerate the twists for 30 minutes. Bake until puffed and golden brown, 13 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.

OVEN-ROASTED TOMATO BRUSCHETTA WITH MOZZARELLA AND PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.
• Slice the Roma tomatoes into about 1/2" slices, about 5 slices per tomato. Spread the tomato slices onto the baking sheet with parchment paper. Drizzle tomatoes with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast at 375 F for 25-30 minutes, until softened and slightly caramelized. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
• While the tomatoes are roasting, slice the baguette into 1/4"-1/2" thick slices to get about 18 slices. Lay the sliced baguette on a separate baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 375 F for 3-5 minutes until crisp, then remove from the oven and allow to cool as the tomatoes finish roasting.
• Spread pesto onto each baguette slice, then top each with an oven-roasted tomato. Divide the mozzarella slices amongst the crostini.* Bake these at 375 for about 3-4 minutes until the mozzarella has melted.
• Remove from the oven, and allow to cool slightly. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, and top with fresh basil leaves.

PESTO AND MOZZARELLA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Place bread slices in single layer on baking sheet.
• Bake 7 to 10 min. or until bottoms of bread slices are golden brown.
• Meanwhile, cut cheese into 6 slices, then cut each slice into 4 pieces. Remove baking sheet from oven.
• Heat broiler. Turn bread slices over; spread with pesto. Top with cheese.
• Broil, 6 inches from heat, 1 min. or until cheese is melted and lightly browned.

PESTO AND MOZZARELLA FRENCH BREAD PIZZA

Steps:

• Make the pesto: Heat the oven to 450 degrees with a rack in the middle position. Combine basil, 1 garlic clove and pine nuts in a food processor, and pulse until finely chopped. With the machine running, stream in the olive oil. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add Parmesan and salt, and pulse to combine.
• Prepare the pizza: Combine the 1/4 cup olive oil and grated garlic in a small pot over medium. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the garlic starts to sizzle (but doesn't begin to brown), 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Place the French bread cut side up on a baking sheet. Brush cut sides with garlic oil. Bake until edges are golden, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Spread the pesto over the two halves all the way to the edges and top with the cheese. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is evenly melted, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to broil and broil (watch carefully!) until the cheese is bubbly and browned in spots, 1 to 2 minutes more. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Top with red-pepper flakes, oregano and more Parmesan, if you like.

MOZZARELLA PESTO PANINI

Steps:

• Heat panini grill.
• Spread bread slices with pesto; fill with cheese, chicken and arugula.
• Brush outside of sandwich with oil.
• Cook 4 to 5 min. or until golden brown.

GRILLED OPEN-FACED VEGETABLE, PESTO, AND MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• To make the sandwich:
• Prepare grill.
• Lightly brush bell peppers and eggplants with oil and grill on an oiled rack set about 4 inches over glowing coals about 4 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Cut peppers into strips.
• Lightly brush cut sides of bread with oil and grill, cut sides down, about 2 minutes, or until golden. Spread each piece of bread with 4 tablespoons pesto and divide peppers, eggplants, and mozzarella between them. Grill sandwiches, covered, just until cheese is melted. (Alternatively, vegetables and assembled sandwiches may be broiled.) Sprinkle each sandwich with basil and cut in half.
• To make the pesto:
• In a blender or small food processor blend together all ingredients with salt and pepper to taste until smooth. Pesto keeps, covered and chilled, up to 1 week. Makes about 2/3 cup.

PESTO

Steps:

• Combine basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and nuts in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Blend to a smooth paste. Add parsley if desired.