Tomato And Pesto Layered Dip Food

SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND PESTO TORTA

Steps:

• Finely chop garlic in processor. Add basil, 1/4 cup pine nuts, oil and lemon juice. Process until well blended. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Using on/off turns, process just until blended. Transfer pesto to medium bowl.
• Coarsely chop tomatoes in processor. Add tomato paste and process until mixture is almost smooth. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese and blend well.
• Using electric mixer, beat 2 cups cream cheese and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spray 6-cup soufflé dish with nonstick spray. Line with plastic wrap, extending plastic over sides. Spread 3/4 cup cream cheese-butter mixture evenly over bottom of prepared dish. Top with half of tomato mixture, then 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture, then half of pesto mixture. Repeat layering with 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture, remaining tomato mixture, 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture and remaining pesto. Top with remaining cream cheese-butter mixture. Cover and chill overnight. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Invert torta onto platter. Peel off plastic. Garnish with basil sprigs and toasted pine nuts. Serve with baguette slices.

BAKED SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND PESTO CREAM CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the pesto and half of the cream cheese (4 ounces). Spread the cream cheese and pesto mixture on the bottom of a small baker (a 2-cup baker works well).
• In a second mixing bowl, or the same bowl*, combine the remaining cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, sour cream, garlic, and dried herbs. Mix well. Spread evenly over pesto mixture.
• Bake for 22-26 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Note cook time may vary depending on the size of your baking dish. Let the dip sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and additional sun-dried tomatoes as desired (pine nuts are yummy, too!).
• Meanwhile, if serving with a baguette, I highly recommend placing it in the oven while the dip rests to warm. Slice and serve with the dip.

DIP FOR THE STARS

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the butter, feta cheese, cream cheese, garlic, shallot, vermouth, and white pepper. Process until smooth.
• Oil a medium bowl, or gelatin mold, and line with plastic wrap for easy removal. Layer the dip into the mold as follows: Sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, pesto, cheese mixture. Repeat. Pat down into the mold, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
• Turn the dip out onto a serving plate, and remove plastic wrap. Serve with crackers.

LAYERED SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND BASIL PESTO DIP

Steps:

• Spread whipped cream cheese in serving dish (best if done at room temp).
• Top with pesto, then sun-dried tomatoes.
• Sprinkle with pine nuts.
• Serve with pita chips or crackers. Yum!

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO DIP

Steps:

• Chop garlic in processor. Add basil, ¼ cup pine nuts, oil, and lemon juice. Process until well blended. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese. Pulse until blended. Transfer to medium bowl.
• Coarsely chop tomatoes in processor. Add tomato paste and process until mixture is almost smooth. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese and blend well.
• Beat 2 cups cream cheese and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spray 6-cup soufflé dish with nonstick spray. Line with plastic wrap, extending plastic wrap over sides.
• Spread ¾ cup cream cheese-butter mixture evenly over bottom of prepared dish. Top with ½ of tomato mixture, then 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture, then ½ of pesto mixture.
• Repeat layering with ½ cup cream cheese-butter mixture, remaining tomato mixture, ½ cup cream cheese-butter mixture, remaining pesto. Top with remaining cream cheese-butter mixture.
• Cover and Chill overnight.
• (Can be made 3 days ahead. Keep refrigerated).
• Invert on to platter. Peel off plastic. Garnish with basil and pine nuts. Serve with baguette slices or crackers.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO, PESTO CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• In a food processor blend cream cheese and 10 tomatoes.
• Mix in rest of the tomatoes.
• Layer half of cheese mixture on to serving platter.
• spread half of the pesto repeat with rest of cheese and pesto.
• Serve with crackers, grilled chicken or fresh veggies.