Basilandcheesetorta Recipes

BASIL CHEESE TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Grease cookie sheet. Crumble cheese into small bowl; mash with fork. Stir in eggs, basil and white pepper until well mixed.
• Cut phyllo sheets lengthwise into 2-inch strips. Cover with plastic wrap, then with damp towel to keep them from drying out. Place 1 level teaspoon cheese mixture on end of 1 strip. Fold strip over cheese mixture, end over end in triangular shape, to opposite end. Place on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining strips and cheese mixture. Brush triangles lightly with margarine.
• Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Serve warm.

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.

CARNE ASADA TORTA (POC CHUC TORTA)

Steps:

• Place the meat in a 13-by-9-inch glass dish. Sprinkle the meat on both sides with salt and pepper. Toss the meat with the thyme and oregano, making sure the meat is evenly coated. Pour the orange juice all over the meat. Let the meat marinate for 30 minutes.
• Heat a charcoal or gas grill, or use a stovetop grill pan, on high heat.
• Once the grill is hot, grill the meat for 5 minutes per side, using tongs to flip the meat. Remove the meat from the heat and allow to rest, covered, for about 10 minutes.
• Slice the meat into pieces large enough to fit the bolillo roll. Spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on the inside halves of each bolillo roll. Season with some more salt and pepper. Slightly toast the bolillo roll on the grill, cut side down, about 1 minute. Place a sliced piece of meat on the inside of the roll. Add the avocado and tomato slices. Serve with some pickled jalapenos alongside.

LAYERED CHEESE TORTA

Steps:

• Combine the first 4 ingredients in a bowl. Beat at medium speed with mixer until blended; stir in pecans.
• Line a lightly greased 4-cup fluted mold or a 7 3/8 x 3 5/8-inch loaf pans with plastic wrap, allowing edges to extend over the sides of pan.
• Spread 1/3 of blue cheese mixture into mold and chill 1 hour.
• Combine remaining 3 ounce package of cream cheese and milk, beating well. Add cheddar cheese and next 3 ingredients, mixing well. Spread over chilled blue cheese mixture in mold. Top with remaining 2/3 of blue cheese mixture, spreading.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 8 hours or up to 3 days.
• Unmold onto a serving plate; remove plastic wrap and garnish.
• Serve with ginger snaps or assorted crackers.

BASIL-GARLIC CHEESE BREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first six ingredients; spread over cut sides of bread. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut into 2-in. slices.