Pesto Goat Cheese Toasts Food

GOAT CHEESE TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread slices on 2 heavy large baking sheets. Brush olive oil over the bread slices. Bake until the crostini are pale golden and crisp, about 15 minutes.
• Blend the goat cheese and cream cheese in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Add the parsley, thyme, and lemon peel. Using the on/off button, pulse just to blend. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spread the cheese mixture over the crostini. Sprinkle with the olives, chives, and more pepper. Arrange the toasts on a platter and serve.
• Do-Ahead Tip: The crostini and cheese mixture can each be prepared 2 days ahead. Store the crostini in an airtight container at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the cheese mixture. Let the cheese mixture stand at room temperature for 1 hour to soften slightly before spreading over the crostini.

VEGETABLE PESTO SALAD WITH WARM GOAT CHEESE TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Toss together bell peppers, shiitakes, oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl, then arrange in 1 layer in a 17- by 12-inch shallow baking pan. Broil 2 to 3 inches from heat until peppers begin to brown on edges, about 8 minutes. Turn vegetables over and broil until lightly charred, about 6 minutes more. Transfer to a clean bowl and toss with pesto. Leave broiler on.
• Halve baguette crosswise, then lengthwise. Spread cheese over cut side of each piece. Transfer to a baking sheet and broil 2 to 3 inches from heat until cheese is golden brown in spots, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Toss vegetables with frisée, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve salad with goat cheese toasts.

PESTO EGG TOAST

Steps:

• Turn the oven to its broiler setting and position a rack in the middle of the oven.
• Add the pesto and red pepper flakes to a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Allow to heat for 1 minute. Crack the eggs into the pesto and cook to your liking, 4 to 7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, spread the sourdough with the garlic mayonnaise. Top with the cheese, then broil until toasted and the cheese has melted, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Top the toasted bread with the sliced tomato and basil leaves. Top with the eggs, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

PESTO, OLIVE, AND ROASTED-PEPPER GOAT CHEESE TORTA

Steps:

• Drain pesto in a small fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl 15 minutes, then discard excess oil.
• Lightly oil loaf pan and line with a sheet of plastic wrap large enough to allow a generous overhang on all 4 sides.
• Blot peppers well between paper towels to remove excess liquid.
• Spread about one fourth (1/2 cup) of cheese evenly over bottom of loaf pan and top with all of pesto, spreading evenly. Drop 1/2 cup cheese by tablespoons over pesto and spread gently to cover pesto.
• Top with chopped peppers, spreading evenly. Drop another 1/2 cup cheese by tablespoons over peppers and spread gently to cover peppers.
• Spread olive paste evenly on top, then drop remaining cheese by tablespoons over olive paste, spreading gently to cover olive paste. Cover pan with another sheet of plastic wrap and chill at least 8 hours.
• Remove plastic wrap from top of pan and invert torta onto a serving plate, then peel off remaining plastic wrap. Let torta stand at room temperature 20 minutes before serving.

PESTO & GOAT'S CHEESE RISOTTO

Steps:

• Pour a glug of olive oil into a large saucepan. Tip in the rice and fry for 1 min. Add half the stock and cook until absorbed. Add the remaining stock, a ladle at a time, and cook until the rice is al dente, stirring continually, for 20-25 mins.
• Stir through the pesto and half the goat's cheese. Serve topped with the remaining cheese.

POTATO FRITTATA WITH PESTO & GOAT'S CHEESE

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes in salted water for 5 mins until just tender. Meanwhile, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Mix the garlic and eggs together with some seasoning, then drain the potatoes and stir into the egg.
• Heat the oil in an ovenproof frying pan, then tip in the egg and potato mixture. Cook over a low heat for 5 mins or until two-thirds of the frittata is set, then cook in the oven for 10-15 mins until cooked through.
• Arrange the goat's cheese round the edge of the frittata and drizzle with the pesto. Top with rocket and serve with a tomato & basil salad, if you like.

PESTO GOAT CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Stir together all ingredients with salt and pepper to taste until smooth.

CHEESE AND PESTO TOASTS

Steps:

• Spread toast slices with pesto; place on baking sheet.
• Top with tomatoes and cheese.
• Broil 2 to 3 min. or until cheese is melted.