Smoked Chicken And Sun Dried Tomato Sandwiches With Basil Olive Pesto Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare the pesto: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, tomato paste, garlic and red-pepper flakes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until mixture is toasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a bowl to let cool for a few minutes.
• Add the roasted red peppers and Parmesan to a food processor. Top with the cooled tomato mixture and the remaining 2/3 cup olive oil, and pulse the mixture until you form a paste. (It makes 2 cups.)
• Season the boiling water generously with salt, then add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta water, then drain the pasta.
• Return the pasta to the pot, along with about 1 1/2 cups of the red pesto and 1 cup of the pasta water, and stir vigorously until the sauce is glossy and the pasta is evenly coated. Stir in additional pesto or pasta water to taste. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Divide among bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan and top with torn basil. Shave some fresh lemon zest on top, if using. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Season chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Place chicken in a baking dish and cook in preheated oven for about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, fill a small saucepan halfway with water and bring to a boil. Cook sun-dried tomatoes in the boiling water until soft, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the tomatoes from the water and puree in a food processor until smooth.
• Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic in butter and oil until garlic turns brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the cream of chicken soup and milk. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in the pureed tomato and simmer 5 minutes. Add baked chicken breasts to the pan and simmer until chicken is completely cooked through and juices run clear, about 5 minutes.

Steps:

• Split the french rolls or bread slices in half, sandwich fashion.
• Spread the cut side of each piece of bread with equal amounts of mayonnaise. Divide the chicken slices into four equal-size portions. Cover half the mayonnaise-smeared bread slices with one portion of chicken slices neatly arranged. Cover each serving with six sun-dried tomatoes. Cover each with two lettuce leaves. Top with the remaining bread slices. Press to make the sandwiches more compact.

Steps:

• Make sandwiches:
• In a heatproof bowl pour enough boiling water over tomatoes to cover and let stand 20 to 30 minutes, or until soft. Drain tomatoes and pat dry.
• Cut loaf diagonally into 4 pieces and halve each piece horizontally. Spread pesto on cut sides of bread and make 4 sandwiches with chicken, tomatoes, and arugula.
• Make Basil Olive Pesto:
• To a food processor with motor running add garlic and blend until minced. Add basil, parsley, and nuts and blend well. Add oil and blend until smooth. Transfer pesto to a bowl and stir in olives. Pesto may be made 5 days ahead and chilled, surface covered tightly with plastic wrap.
• Bring pesto to room temperature before using. Makes about 3/4 cup.