Pesto For Ice Cube Tray Recipes

Steps:

• Lightly flour a work surface and roll out both puff pastry sheets into 12-inch squares. Lay half of 1 piece of pastry over a 12-compartment ice cube tray (the remaining half of the pastry will hang off the tray) then gently use the back of your fingers (or the handle of a wooden spoon) to press the dough down into each compartment of the tray. Repeat with the remaining pastry and tray.
• Fill 6 of the ice cube compartments in the same row each with 1 piece of cornichon, 1 piece of ham and 1 tablespoon gruyere cheese. Fill the next 6 ice cube compartments in the same row each with 3 mozzarella pearls, 1/2 teaspoon pesto and 2 slices sun-dried tomatoes. Fill the next 6 ice cube compartments in the same row each with 1 candied pecan, 2 red grape halves, 1 piece of brie and a pinch of black pepper. Stir together the cream cheese, scallion, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl and stir until completely combined. Fill the last 6 ice cube compartments in the same row each with 1 shrimp then a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture.
• Brush the edges of the puff pastry with the beaten egg then fold the puff pastry over the ice cube tray so that it completely covers the filling. Cut the excess puff pastry from around the upper edges of the ice cube trays then use your fingers to press the dough together so that it is sealed. Put the ice cube trays in the freezer for 15 minutes.
• Position a rack in the center and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Use your fingers to gently loosen the puff pastry from the ice cube trays then flip out onto a cutting board. Use a knife to trim the edges of the dough to 1/4-inch-wide. Cut in between each ice cube compartment to free each filled compartment. Use a fork to crimp the edges of all the ice cube bites, making sure to keep the flavors separate.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment. Put the ice cube bites on the baking sheet, keeping the flavors separate). Brush the beaten egg on top of the puff pastry then sprinkle the ham bites with the remaining gruyere cheese, lay a slice of sun-dried tomato on top of the pesto bites, sprinkle black pepper on the brie bites.
• Bake, rotating the baking sheet about halfway, until the bites are puffed and golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to a serving platter. Top the shrimp bites with the remaining lemon zest.

Steps:

• If using fresh dough, let sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes in a covered and lightly oiled bowl.
• On a floured surface, take one half of the dough and roll it out into a rectangle, about ⅛ of an inch (3 mm) thick. Repeat with other half of dough and set aside.
• Lightly oil your ice cube tray if it's hard plastic.
• Transfer the dough to cover the tray and press the dough down into every hole, holding for about 5 seconds to ensure the dough stretches properly. If it tears, you can use excess dough to patch up any holes.
• Assemble each bite with approximately one teaspoon of sauce, such as marinara or pesto, one teaspoon of cheese, and desired toppings.
• Cover the prepared bites with remaining dough and roll over the ice cube tray with rolling pin to seal.
• Trim any excess dough and save for more pizza bites.
• Freeze the ice cube tray for about an hour, until the dough has set.
• Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC).
• Flip the tray onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet to release the bites. If necessary, use a paring knife to gently loosen.
• Cut and separate the bites.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the dough is golden brown and serve warm.
• Enjoy!

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.

Steps:

• Pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor or blender until the basil is finely chopped.
• With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil and puree until emulsified. Stir in the Parmesan. To store, transfer to a container, cover and refrigerate up to 5 days.