Sun Dried Tomato Pine Nut Cheddar Spread Recipes

Steps:

• Place cream cheese, yogurt, pine nuts, basil and garlic in processor. Blend, using on/off turns, until combined. Add feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes and blend, using on/off turns, until combined but still chunky. Transfer spread to bowl. (Feta-pine nut spread can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Steps:

• toast the pine nuts in a fry pan. heat on med-high heat.keep shaking the pan back and forth until nuts are toasted. One -two minutes. Put in a small bowl to cool.
• combine cheese,butter,and wine in a food processor. pulse well until well mixed.put in a bowl and beat with mixer.
• Add the sun dried tomatoes,and thyme to the pne nuts,and combine well.
• line a small oblong dish,or mini loaf pan with saran wrap. Flatten out any wrinkles in the wrap. Smooth out. spread 1/3 of cheese on the bottom of the plastic lined pan.Sprinkle half of the tomato mixture over the cheese.alternate in layers. End with the cheese layer on top.
• fold the wrap over the cheese loaf nice and snug. Put in refrigerator for a few hours,and take out, unwrap, and place on platter with crackers,and serve.

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.

Steps:

• Cook fusilli pasta in large pot of boiling water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta well. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add pasta and fry until beginning to crisp at edges, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Transfer pasta to large bowl.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to same skillet. Add toasted pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes and stir over high heat until just warmed through, about 1 minute. Pour pine nut mixture over pasta. Add chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese and toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, mix tomato paste, basil, olive oil, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, white sugar and garlic salt. Blend to the consistency of a spreadable paste. Chill in the refrigerator until serving.

Steps:

• Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water, and set aside to soften for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large covered pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, in a small pan on low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl, heat the oil and garlic until golden. Set aside. Drain the sun-dried tomatoes, reserving the soaking liquid. Cut the tomatoes into thin strips.
• When the pasta is done, drain it and place in a serving bowl. Add the cooked garlic, sun-dried tomato strips, pine nuts, and parsley. Toss well. Stir in some of the reserved sun-dried tomato soaking liquid to moisten the pasta, if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot, topped with grated cheese if you like.
• Ingredient Notes
• Add chopped fresh tomatoes, a couple tablespoons of capers or sliced olives, and/or some thinly sliced fresh fennel (sauté it in the oil before adding the garlic).
• Serving & menu ideas
• Have a tossed green salad and enjoy Mocha Sorbet (page 272) for dessert.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, onion and garlic until blended. Stir in tomatoes and red peppers. Stir in mozzarella cheese, Italian cheese blend and 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese., Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, until edges are bubbly and lightly browned, 18-22 minutes or until edges are bubbly and lightly browned. Serve with crackers.