Mediterranean Layered Torte Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN LAYERED TORTE

Steps:

• Place cream cheese and feta cheese in food processor. Cover and process until blended. Divide into thirds (about 1 cup each).
• Line 5-cup mold or loaf pan, 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2 inches, with plastic wrap. Spoon one-third of the cheese mixture in bottom of mold; smooth top with spatula. Spoon tomatoes evenly over cheese layer. Spoon hummus evenly over tomatoes. Sprinkle with cucumber.
• Spoon one-third of the cheese mixture over cucumber; smooth top with spatula. Spoon olives evenly over cheese layer. Spoon remaining cheese mixture over olives; smooth top with spatula. Strike filled mold on counter to pack down. Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours but no longer than 48 hours.
• When ready to serve, turn mold upside down onto serving platter. Remove plastic wrap. Serve torte with pita wedges.

LAYERED VEGETABLE TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Put a grill pan over medium-high heat, or prepare a grill; the heat should be medium-high, and the rack about 4 inches from flame. Brush eggplant, zucchini and mushrooms lightly with half the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper; if roasting, grease 2 baking sheets with oil. Roast or grill vegetables on both sides until soft.
• Coat bottom and sides of 8-inch springform pan with oil. Layer a third of the eggplant slices into bottom of the pan, then layer in half the zucchini, mushrooms, tomato, garlic and basil, sprinkling each layer with a bit of salt and pepper. Repeat layers until all vegetable are used. Press the top with a spatula or spoon to make the torte as compact as possible. Sprinkle top with Parmesan and bread crumbs, and drizzle with about 1 tablespoon oil.
• Bake torte in oven until hot throughout and browned on top, about 30 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before removing outer ring of pan, then let cool for another 10 minutes before cutting into wedges.

ITALIAN BRUNCH TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan. Unroll 1 tube of crescent dough and separate into triangles. Press onto bottom of prepared pan to form a crust, sealing seams well. Bake until set, 10-15 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add spinach and mushrooms; cook and stir until mushrooms are tender. Drain on several layers of paper towels, blotting well. In a large bowl, whisk 6 eggs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning and pepper., Layer crust with half of each of the following: ham, salami, provolone cheese, red peppers and spinach mixture. Pour half of the egg mixture over top. Repeat layers; top with remaining egg mixture., On a work surface, unroll and separate remaining crescent dough into triangles. Press together to form a circle and seal seams; place over filling. Whisk remaining egg; brush over dough., Bake, uncovered, until a thermometer reads 160°, 1 to 1-1/4 hours, covering loosely with foil if needed to prevent overbrowning. Carefully loosen sides from pan with a knife; remove rim from pan. Let stand 20 minutes.

MEDITERRANEAN LAYERED TORTE

Steps:

• Place cream cheese and feta cheese in food processor; cover and process until blended. Divide into thirds (about 1 cup each).
• Line a 5 cup mold or a 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2-1/2 loaf pan with plastic wrap. Spoon 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture in bottom of mold. Smooth top with spatula. Spread tomatoes over cheese layer. Spoon hummus over tomatoes; then sprinkle cucumbers over hummus.
• Spoon another cup of cheese mixture over cucumbers; smooth out. Spoon olives evenly over cheese layer. Spoon remaining cheese mixture over the olives; smooth out. Bang filled mold on counter to pack down the torte.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours, but no more than 48 hours.
• When ready to serve, turn mold upside down on serving platter. Remove plastic wrap and serve torte with your choice of breads, or crackers.

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.

LAYERED TORTE APPETIZER

Steps:

• Cream the cream cheese and salad dressing mix together.
• In separate bowl, stir together artichokes, peppers, salt and black pepper, garlic, and parsley.
• In a 3-cup bowl lined with plastic wrap, alternate layers of cheese and vegetables, beginning and ending with cheese layer.
• Invert onto plate; remove plastic wrap.
• You may garnish the top with additional parsley or with sliced black olives, if desired.
• Serve with crackers or fresh veggie dippers.

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.