Italian Fontina And Parmesan Toasts Recipes

ITALIAN "STUFFED" TOAST (TOAST FARCITO)

Steps:

• Heat a panino press according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Place 1 slice prosciutto and 1 slice fontina cheese onto a slice of bread; repeat with remaining prosciutto, fontina cheese, and slice of bread. Add 1/2 of the giardiniera on top of each cheese layer and top sandwiches with remaining bread slices, creating 2 sandwiches.
• Cook each panino in the press until the cheese has melted and the bread has toasted, about 3 minutes. Serve with hot pickled peppers on the side.

PARMESAN TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Brush one side of each bread slice with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet in one layer. Season them with salt and pepper and dust them with the Parmesan. Bake until golden brown and crisp, about 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

BAKED PENNE WITH FONTINA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9x12-inch baking dish with nonfat cooking spray. Set aside.
• Put on a large pot of water to boil for the pasta.
• Toast the pine nuts in a large skillet over medium heat. When pine nuts are golden brown, add olive oil, garlic, salt, and red chile pepper flakes. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes (break up with a spoon) and oregano. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until sauce thickens.
• While sauce is simmering, cook pasta to according to package directions for "firm". Drain and pour pasta into prepared baking dish. Stir in butter to coat. Add sauce and Parmesan cheese and stir well. Top with Fontina cheese and parsley and place in oven.
• Cook, uncovered, for 8 to 9 minutes or until cheese melts.

FONTINA GARLIC TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• On a baking sheet, toast bread lightly in middle of oven. While bread is hot, rub top of each toast with garlic and sprinkle with Fontina. Bake toasts until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.