Hot Italian Pesto Bread Recipes

PESTO GENOVESE (AUTHENTIC ITALIAN BASIL PESTO)

Steps:

• Crush garlic using a mortar and pestle. Add pine nuts; crush with the garlic. Add basil leaves gradually, making circular movements with the pestle, until a smooth paste forms.
• Mix Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and pecorino Romano cheese using a wooden spoon. Stir in olive oil until pesto is blended.

PESTO PULL-APART BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces. Combine olive oil and pesto. Dip biscuit pieces into pesto mixture until coated; place in an 8-inch round baking pan. Top with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers and ripe olives., Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese; return to oven, and bake until melted, about 5 minutes longer. Cut into wedges or pull apart; serve warm, with additional pesto if desired.

PESTO BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, combine the eggs, sour cream, milk and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the pine nuts, cheese, parsley and basil., Transfer to a greased 8-in x 4-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

ITALIAN BREAD CREAMY PESTO PEPPERONI PIZZA

Steps:

• Place one oven rack in upper-third of the oven, and the second oven rack on the lower third.
• Heat oven to 450°F (regular or convection air-bake).
• Half each loaf lengthwise, then crosswise to make 8 pizza crusts.
• In a bowl combine ricotta, pesto, Parmesan, salt and pepper.
• Spread on the bread crusts.
• Sprinkle the olives on top of the ricotta.
• Top with pepperoni slices.
• Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Place 4 pizzas on one baking sheet and the other 4 on another baking sheet.
• Place on sheet on one rack and the other on the other rack.
• Bake for about 10-12 minutes (the cheese should be well melted).
• Cool for about 5 minutes.

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Boil pasta with olive oil and salt as directed by package.
• While pasta is cooking, cook chicken and chop into bite-sized pieces.
• Chop each tomato into thirds.
• Toss chicken and tomato with chopped garlic.
• When pasta is done toss in chicken and tomato mixture.
• Drizzle with pesto sauce and toss lightly.
• Serve family style in large bowl, sprinkled with crumbled feta.

ITALIAN PARTY BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Place pizza dough on a floured surface and roll into a rectangular shape between 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch thick, letting dough relax occasionally if it keeps springing back. Spread pesto on top, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edge. Top evenly with provolone cheese, prosciutto, and peppers.
• Roll up tightly in the direction that gives you the most length, ending with the seam on the bottom. Press down to flatten slightly and dust the top lightly with flour. Use a pizza wheel to cut dough lengthwise into 3 long, even strips using a pizza wheel.
• Place strips next to each other but not touching, the middle strip cut-side up and the other two cut-sides facing in. Braid them together, then curl the ends in to form a round wreath shape, tucking any loose ends under the loaf. Transfer onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until nicely browned, about 30 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve warm or at room temperature.