Pesto Veggie Stacks Food

PESTO VEGGIE STACKS

Steps:

• Place the first five ingredients in a food processor; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add 1/2 cup oil in a steady stream until combined. Set pesto aside. , Place the flour, eggs and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls. Dip eggplant in the flour, then in eggs, then roll in crumbs. Heat remaining oil in a large skillet; fry eggplant in batches for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels., Place four eggplant slices on an ungreased baking sheet. Top each with a tomato slice, 1 tablespoon cheese, 2 teaspoons pesto and remaining eggplant. (Cover and refrigerate remaining pesto for another use). Bake at 350° for 5-8 minutes or until heated through. Serve immediately.

CHEESY EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) PESTO STACKS

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven at 375°F, and oil a shallow baking pan.
• Cut the eggplant crosswise into 12 1/3 inch thick slices, discarding the ends.
• Arrange in one layer on paper towels.
• Sprinkle both sides of slices evenly with salt and cover with another layer of paper towels.
• Let eggplant stand 30 minutes.
• Rinse salt off, and pat dry with paper toweling.
• Arrange 4 eggplant slices in one layer in pan and spread each slice evenly with 1 teaspoon pesto.
• Sprinkle 2 tablespoons mozzarella evenly over pesto on each slice.
• Continue to layer remaining eggplant slices, pesto, and mozzarella in the same way.
• Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon parmesan or romano evenly over each stack and bake in middle of oven until eggplant is tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

VEGGIE STICKS AND PESTO DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut and arrange veggie sticks on platter. If you want to cut down on chopping, many veggies can be store bought already cleaned and cut for dipping.
• In a food processor, combine basil, parsley, garlic, lemon zest and juice and grind into a paste. Add nuts and cheese and grind again to combine them into the paste. Pulse in the olive oil until it is combined. Transfer to a small dish and season the sauce with salt and pepper, to your taste. Set dipping bowl on veggie platter and serve.

VEGAN PESTO

Steps:

• Toast the pine nuts in a small pan over a low heat for 3-4 mins until golden brown. Set aside to cool.
• Blitz the pine nuts with the remaining ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Season to taste.
• Spoon the pesto into a jar and top with a thick drizzle of olive oil. Will keep stored in the fridge for up to a week.

VEGETABLE STACKS

Steps:

• Preheat BBQ and set on LOW. Brush vegetables with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill slowly until tender, turning once. They will only need about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the vegetables to a tray, arranging them in a single layer, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. You can stack layers of the vegetables on top of each other with a layer of plastic wrap between; just be sure the vegetables have cooled first. The vegetables may be grilled a day in advance, and refrigerated after cooking. Bring the vegetables back to room temp before proceeding.
• Stir together the ricotta, thyme, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
• Place one slice of eggplant on a lightly oiled baking sheet or foil pan. Spread one tablespoon of the ricotta mixture over the eggplant. Cover with 2 slices of zucchini, 1 slice of onion, 1 slice of mozzarella, 1 slice of tomato, 2 slices of zucchini, and 1 slice of onion. Spread 1 tablespoon of the ricotta mixture over the onion, and top with another slice of eggplant. Repeat this procedure with the remaining vegetables to make 5 more stacks.
• Insert a wooden skewer through the centre of each stack to create a hole from top to bottom. Remove the bottom leaves from each rosemary sprig, leaving one inch of leaves on the top. Insert 1 sprig into the centre hole in each stack and return to the BBQ. Heat for about 5 minutes on Low or until mozzarella is melted and vegetables are warmed through.