Basil Cheese Torte Recipes

BASIL AND CHEESE TORTA

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.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND PESTO TORTA

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.

ELEGANT CHEESE TORTE

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Remove 3-1/2 cups to a small bowl; stir in pepper and set aside. Fold olives into the remaining cream cheese mixture. Spread evenly over the bottom of a 9-in. springform pan; set aside., In another large bowl, beat cheddar cheese, cider and paprika on low speed for 1 minute. Beat on high until almost smooth. Spread half over olive layer. Top with peppered cheese mixture. Top with remaining cheddar mixture. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for 6 hours or until firm., Place on serving plate and remove sides of pan. Press pecans into top; garnish with additional olives or grapes if desired. Serve with crackers.

SPAGHETTI BASIL TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°. Spray springform pan, 9x3 inches, with cooking spray. Cook and drain spaghetti as directed on package. Rinse with cold water; drain.
• Toss spaghetti, Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning and eggs until spaghetti is well coated.
• Press half of the spaghetti mixture in bottom of pan. Sprinkle with half of the basil. Layer with half of the tomato and cheese slices. Press remaining spaghetti mixture on top. Sprinkle with remaining basil. Layer with remaining tomato and cheese slices.
• Bake uncovered 30 minutes until hot and light brown. Let stand 15 minutes. Remove side of pan. Cut torte into wedges.

INSTANT PESTO TORTA WITH BREAD AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Line a small shallow dish or bowl with plastic wrap or waxed paper. Coat wrap with vegetable spray. Arrange a pattern in bottom of the dish using the sun-dried tomatoes and basil. Add 1 1/2 tubs of garlic and herb cheese (about half a pound) to the dish and smooth over, then layer in the sun-dried tomato spread and the pesto. Spread the remaining cheese on top of the pesto. Place a serving plate over the bowl and invert the bowl. Hold on to the edges of the waxed paper or wrap to release the cheese. Remove the waxed paper or plastic wrap. Arrange the sliced baguette along 1 side of the torta.
• Arrange carrots and tomatoes along the opposite side of the torta.

BASIL CHEESE TORTE

Steps:

• Line a round bowl with waxed paper.
• Using pesto ingredients make a very thick pesto in your food processor.
• Thoroughly combine all ingredients in the cheese layer.
• Divide the mixtures into thirds and alternate layers in a round bowl or pan ending with cheese Refrigerate for several hours, then unmold and serve.

CHEESE TORTELLINI WITH BASIL CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, sauté shallots and garlic in butter until softened.
• Add flour; cook and stir one minute.
• Stir in wine; cook one minute more.
• Slowly add cream, mixing until smooth. Add cheese; cook over medium heat until smooth and thick.
• Add fresh basil; mix well and pour over hot, cooked tortellini.
• Garnish with basil leaves.

BASIL AND TOMATO LAYERED CHEESE TORTA

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.

CHEESE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spray bottom of 9x13 pan with cooking spray.
• Mix 2 pkgs softened cream cheese, egg yolk, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla with mixter until creamy.
• Roll out 1 pkg. of crescent rolls in bottom of 9x13 pan pinching seams together to cover bottom of pan.
• Empty cream cheese mixture onto top of crescent roll base. Unroll other pkg of crescent rolls again pinching seams together.
• Beat egg white with fork until frothy. Spread egg white over crescent roll making sure to cover entire top.
• Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup chopped walnuts. Sprinkle on top of crescent roll top.
• Bake at 350 for about 27 minutes or until golden brown. Cool then chill in fridge, great made the day before. Cut in squares.

SPAGHETTI TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x3 inch springform pan with cooking spray.
• Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Rinse with cold water, and drain.
• While spaghetti is cooking, combine Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, and egg whites in a large bowl. Toss with cooked spaghetti to coat.
• Press half the spaghetti mixture in bottom of prepared pan. Sprinkle with half the basil, and top with half the tomatoes and half the provolone cheese. Press remaining spaghetti mixture into pan, sprinkle with remaining basil, and top with remaining tomatoes. Place remaining provolone cheese over the top.
• Bake for 30 minutes. Let stand about 15 minutes, remove sides of pan, transfer to a serving platter. Cut into wedges to serve.

RICOTTA, TOMATO AND BASIL TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (360°F ) Oil side and line with baking paper the base of 20cm springform tin.
• Beat ricotta, feta, eggs and garlic until smooth. Stir in basil.
• Put into prepared tin and smooth top. Arrange tomatoes on top cut-side up.
• Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until set and golden.
• Cool completely before putting in fridge for at least1 hour to firm.