Artichoke Cherry Tomato And Feta Salad With Artichoke Pesto Crostini Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN PESTO PASTA SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package instructions (a little more than al dente as pasta will firm up as it cools). Drain well and toss with olive oil (to prevent noodles from sticking together) and spread out onto a baking sheet to cool while you're preparing remainder of ingredients. OR, in a pinch, drain, rinse with cold water and drain again.
• Place cooked pasta in a large bowl, stir in pesto (start with 3/4 cup). Then stir in red wine vinegar, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, marinated artichoke hearts and chives. Note: if you want things more saucy, stir in remaining 1/4 cup of basil pesto.
• Stir in arugula.
• Finally, stir in feta. Serve and enjoy!

BOW TIES WITH PESTO, FETA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Stir in the bow ties and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and run it under cold water just until it stops steaming. Bounce the pasta around to get rid of as much water as you can.
• Dump the pasta into a large serving bowl. Stir in the pesto until the pasta is coated. Toss in the cherry tomatoes and the crumbled feta. Taste the salad and season it as you like with salt and pepper. You can make the salad up to about 1 hour before you serve it. Check out the salt and pepper just before you serve the salad. If it's looking a little dry, add some olive oil and stir it around.
• Pesto:
• 5 big handfuls basil leaves (about 2 hefty bunches)
• 1/2 cup pine nuts or 3/4 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
• Juice of 1 small lemon
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• Kosher salt
• About 20 grinds freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Place all ingredients with 1/2 cup of the oil in a blender and blend. Gradually drizzle in the remaining 1/4 cup of oil until pesto is thick and smooth.
• Yield: about 1 1/2 cups

ARTICHOKE, CHERRY TOMATO, AND FETA SALAD WITH ARTICHOKE-PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• For pesto:
• Place all ingredients in processor. Blend until finely chopped. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• For salad:
• Whisk shallot, vinegar, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, mustard, and garlic in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: vinaigrette can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Spread 1 tablespoon pesto over each baguette slice. Sprinkle parsley over crostini. Mix baby greens, artichoke hearts, and cherry tomatoes in very large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat lightly. Sprinkle feta over.
• Serve salad with crostini.

PESTO, SUN-DRIED TOMATO, ARTICHOKE, SPINACH, FETA PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500°F.
• Roll or stretch pizza dough out on a lightly floured work surface to a 12-inch circle and transfer to a lightly-floured pizza pan or baking sheet.
• Brush dough with pesto.
• Scatter the sun-dried tomatoes around the pizza.
• Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly, next layer the spinach leaves.
• Scatter the artichokes, Roma tomatoes and crumbled feta.
• Season to taste with pepper.
• Top with parmesan.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until crust is browned.

GREEK ORZO ARTICHOKE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Drain artichoke hearts, reserving liquid.
• In large bowl combine pasta, artichoke hearts, garlic, tomato, cucumber, onion, feta, olives, parsley, lemon juice, oregano and lemon pepper. Toss and chill for 1 hour in refrigerator.
• Just before serving, drizzle reserved artichoke marinade over salad.

PENNE WITH TOMATOES, PESTO AND ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons oil reserved from artichokes in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until onion is tender, about 7 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juices and artichokes. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 8 minutes. Add pesto; simmer 1 minute longer. Mix in pasta and 1/3 cup cheese. Season pasta with salt and pepper.Transfer pasta to large bowl. Serve, passing additional Parmesan separately.