Discover the delectable flavors of basil and tomato in a uniquely layered cheese torta that will tantalize your taste buds. This savory dish combines creamy cheese, aromatic herbs, and the vibrant flavors of fresh basil and tomatoes, resulting in a culinary masterpiece that is both visually appealing and incredibly mouthwatering. Perfect as an appetizer, main course, or even a delightful brunch option, this basil and tomato layered cheese torta is sure to impress with its rich textures and symphony of flavors. With just a few simple steps and carefully selected ingredients, you can create this culinary delight in the comfort of your own kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and prepare to embark on a delightful culinary journey to savor the magic of basil and tomato in a captivating layered cheese torta.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
BASIL TOMATO TART
I received this tomato tart recipe from a good friend of mine. It is a great way to us up fresh tomatoes from the garden. It reminds me a lot of pizza.-Connie Stumpf, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts Side Dishes
Time 40m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Roll pastry to fit a 9-in. tart pan or pie plate; place in pan. Do not prick. Line pastry shell with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. , Bake at 450° for 5 minutes. Remove foil; bake 8 minutes more. Remove from the oven. Reduce heat to 375°. Sprinkle 1/2 cup mozzarella over the hot crust. , Cut each tomato into eight wedges; remove seeds. Arrange over cheese. , In a food processor, process the basil and garlic until coarsely chopped; sprinkle over tomatoes. , Combine mayonnaise, Parmesan, pepper and the remaining mozzarella; spoon over basil. Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is browned and bubbly, 20-25 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 345 calories, Fat 27g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 47mg cholesterol, Sodium 413mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 8g protein.
SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND PESTO TORTA
You can make this up to three days ahead; be sure to start at least one day in advance.
Categories Condiment/Spread Food Processor Cheese Garlic Nut Tomato Appetizer No-Cook Christmas Cocktail Party Low Carb New Year's Eve Basil Pine Nut Winter Christmas Eve Bon Appétit
Yield Makes 20 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
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.
BASIL AND TOMATO LAYERED CHEESE TORTA
Taken from the Fresh Market .com and posted for ZWT. This combines classic Italian ingredients in a surprising combination, and the end result is fab! It makes for a lovely starter and is made a day ahead, so you may concentrate on other things! **Overnight refrigeration is NOT included in cook/prep time!
Provided by alligirl
Categories Cheese
Time 15m
Yield 1 7 inch torta, 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a mixer or with wooden spoon, blend softened cheeses until smooth.
- Line a 7-inch loaf pan with enough dampened cheese cloth to hang over each side of the pan.
- With moist spatula, spread 1/3 cheese mixture in pan until evenly covered. Top with basil pesto, careful not to blend with cheese.
- Top with 1/3 cheese mixture by dropping small spoonfuls over previous layer and carefully spreading.
- Then spread the sun-dried tomato pesto and top with the remaining 1/3 of cheese mixture until evenly covered.
- Fold cheese cloth over top of cheese.
- Wrap in foil and refrigerate overnight.
- To serve, remove foil and cheese cloth carefully and invert onto serving platter.
- Top with pine nuts and fresh basil sprig.
- Serve at room temperature with plain crackers and toasted baguette slices.
LAYERED BASIL CHEESE SPREAD
Steps:
- Line 3-1/2-to 4-cup bowl or mold with plastic wrap, allowing excess wrap to extend over sides. Set aside.
- In medium bowl gently stir together cream cheese and tomato. Set aside.
- In food processor bowl combine basil, parmesan cheese, parsley, pine nuts and garlic. Cover and process until very finely chopped. With food processor running, slowly add oil through feed tube. Process until mixture is consistency of soft butter.
- Spread one-third of cream cheese mixture in prepared bowl. Top with one-half of basil mixture. Repeat layers. Spread remaining cheese mixture on top. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
- On serving plate invert bowl. Remove plastic wrap. Garnish with tomato and fresh basil, if desired. Serve with crackers.
LAYERED BASIL CHEESE SPREAD
A pleasant blend of fresh basil and Parmesan cheese separates layers of cream cheese and tomato in this party-perfect appetizer.
Provided by Allrecipes Member
Time 4h20m
Yield 28
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Line 3 1/2-to 4-cup bowl or mold with plastic wrap, allowing excess wrap to extend over sides. Set aside.
- In medium bowl gently stir together cream cheese and tomato. Set aside.
- In food processor bowl combine basil, Parmesan cheese, parsley, pine nuts and garlic. Cover and process until very finely chopped. With food processor running, slowly add oil through feed tube. Process until mixture is consistency of soft butter.
- Spread one-third of cream cheese mixture in prepared bowl. Top with one-half of basil mixture. Repeat layers. Spread remaining cheese mixture on top. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
- On serving plate invert bowl. Remove plastic wrap. Garnish with tomato and fresh basil, if desired. Serve with crackers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 99.4 calories, Carbohydrate 4.4 g, Cholesterol 16.8 mg, Fat 8.2 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 2.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 150.9 mg, Sugar 0.9 g
BASIL AND CHEESE TORTA
This is a great appetizer to make now while basil is plentiful and stash in the freezer to use all year. I pull one out of the freezer when I need something quick for a dinner party appetizer or potluck. Use 6 or 10 oz custard cups
Provided by ktdid
Categories Spreads
Time 1h
Yield 5-8 small tortas
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- With electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, scraping sides of bowl as needed.
- Set aside.
- Prepare Pesto: In a blender or food processor, whirl to a paste the basil, parmesan or romano cheese, and olive oil.
- Stir in pine nuts.
- Set aside.
- Cut cheesecloth squares about 10-12" square to line custard cups (It needs to be able to cover the bottom, go up the sides and still have some to fold over the top of the torta).
- If you use the really loose weave stuff (standard grocery store cheesecloth), you'll need two pieces per custard cup.
- Moisten the cheesecloth with water, wring dry and lay two sheets out flat on top of each other.
- Smoothly line your custard cups with the cheesecloth (this can be a bit tricky, but it doesn't have to be perfectly smooth).
- With your fingers or a flexible rubber spatula, spread a thin layer (about 1/2 inch) of the cheese mixture in a lined custard cup.
- Cover with 1/4-/12 inch pesto.
- Put another layer of cheese.
- If you can, do another layer of pesto and cheese, so you end up with 3 cheese layers and 2 pesto layers.
- Two layers of cheese and one of pesto works if that's the way it comes out.
- Fold the ends of the cheesecloth neatly over the top of the torta and press down lightly with fingers.
- Repeat with remaining cheese and pesto.
- I get 5 large custard cups or 6 small cups plus one large cup from this quantity of ingredients.
- Chill until tortas are firm when pressed (at least 2 hrs, I usually just let them go overnight).
- Remove from custard cups by gently pulling on the cheesecloth around the edges.
- Remove the cheesecloth and wrap the torta tightly in two layers of saran wrap.
- Seal in sandwich size ziplock freezer bags and place in freezer.
- To serve: Remove from freezer and thaw (overnight in frig works well).
- Bring to near room temp and srve with sliced baguettes and crisp raw vegetables.
- Variation: For a large party, do one massive torta in a charlotte mold, loaf pan or a clean clay flowerpot.
- You'll end up with 7-8 layers of each filling in this one.
- I wouldn't freeze this size, but it will keep in the frig for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1275.8, Fat 134.1, SaturatedFat 73, Cholesterol 315, Sodium 626.8, Carbohydrate 6, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 0.9, Protein 18.5
Tips:
- For a more intense flavor, use sun-dried tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes.
- If you don't have a food processor, you can chop the tomatoes and basil by hand.
- Be sure to use a baking dish that is at least 9 inches in diameter.
- If you want a crispier crust, bake the torta for an extra 5-10 minutes.
- Let the torta cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Conclusion:
This basil and tomato layered cheese torta is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is packed with flavor and can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. The combination of tomatoes, basil, and cheese is a classic that is sure to please everyone.
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