Baked Tomato Basil Spread Recipes

BASIL BAKED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a small skillet, saute garlic in oil for 1 minute. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir until lightly browned. Remove from the heat., Cut tomatoes in half widthwise. Place cut side up in an 8-in. square baking dish. Sprinkle with basil and pepper; top with bread crumb mixture. Bake at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until tomatoes are slightly softened.

SUMMER FRESH TOMATO BASIL DIP

Steps:

• Combine, cream cheese, sour cream, basil, Italian parsley, tomatoes, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, tomato paste, onion salt, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on High until whipped, 2 to 3 minutes.

TOMATO-BASIL CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Put the cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and basil in a food processor. Process until smooth and the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Season to taste and pulse 3 times to mix evenly. Serve with toasted bagels. Can be made 1 day ahead.

TOMATO, BASIL AND CHEESE BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt the water. Add small shell pasta and cook the pasta to al dente doneness which means that the pasta will still have a bite to it or be a little chewy. The pasta will soak up more juice and keep on cooking after we drain it, so we need it to be a little under cooked. The shells will probably cook about 9 or 10 minutes.
• Preheat a deep, big skillet or a medium sauce pot over medium heat.
• Place garlic on the cutting board and place the flat of your knife on top of each clove. Carefully give the garlic a whack with the palm of your hand to separate the cloves from the skins. Throw out the skins and chop up the garlic. Remember to keep your fingers curled under and the edge of your sharp, chef's knife tilted slightly away from your body.
• Add extra-virgin olive oil to the pan by pouring a slow stream of it twice-around-the-pan. This will be about 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Do not let the oil pour out too fast. You are looking for a slow, steady stream. Add the garlic to the oil. To chop the onion, cut the ends off and cut the whole onion down the center. Wrap half and save it. Cut the other half into thin slices then twist the slices a quarter turn and chop them again. Hold the tip of knife on the cutting board and lift the back of the knife up and down over the onion to make the pieces really small. Add the chopped up onion to the garlic and oil. Cook, stirring a lot, 5 minutes until the onions are mushy and look cooked.
• Add the tomatoes to the onions and stir. When the tomatoes come to a bubble, reduce the heat under the sauce to low. Stir in basil pieces to wilt them. Season the sauce with salt and peppe, to your taste.
• Preheat your broiler to high and place a rack in the center of the oven.
• Drain pasta shells. Add them to a flameproof casserole dish. Add pesto sauce, 1 cup of ricotta cheese and a handful of grated Parmigiano, too. Stir carefully and coat the hot pasta with the pesto and cheeses. Pour the hot tomato and basil sauce over the pasta, as much as you like. You can always serve a little extra at the table, to pass around. Shred up some mozzarella cheese with a grater and scatter it over the pasta. Add a final sprinkle of Parmigiano to the mozzarella as well. Place the casserole under the broiler in the middle of oven, 10 to 12 inches from the heat. Let the cheese melt and bubble on top, 3 to 5 minutes.

GARLIC ROASTED TOMATO SPREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
• Arrange tomatoes, cut side up, in a shallow baking dish; drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle garlic, oregano, sugar, and salt evenly atop.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Turn tomatoes over and roast until caramelized and very soft, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Remove from oven and set aside to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
• Transfer tomato mixture to a blender or food processor; puree until smooth.

TOMATO-BASIL PARTY DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir until tender, 1-2 minutes. Add tomatoes, pasta sauce, basil, salt and pepper; heat through. Transfer to an ungreased 1-1/2 qt. shallow baking dish. Spoon cheese into center of sauce; dollop pesto over cheese. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 25-30 minutes., Meanwhile, brush baguette slices with oil. Arrange on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until toasted, 2-4 minutes on each side. Serve with dip.

BAKED TOMATO-BASIL SPREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Reserve 2 Tbsp. of the Parmesan cheese; set aside. Mix remaining Parmesan cheese with the mayo, mozzarella cheese and dressing mix in medium bowl. Add tomatoes and basil; mix lightly.
• Spoon into 9-inch pie plate or quiche dish; sprinkle with reserved Parmesan cheese.
• Bake 18 to 20 min. or until heated through. Serve with round buttery crackers and assorted cut-up fresh vegetables.

BETTER CHOICE BAKED TOMATO & BASIL DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Reserve 2 Tbsp. Parmesan. Mix remaining Parmesan with mayo, mozzarella and dressing mix in medium bowl. Add tomatoes and basil; mix lightly.
• Spoon into 9-inch pie plate or quiche dish; sprinkle with reserved Parmesan.
• Bake 18 to 20 min. or until heated through.