Pesto And Red Pepper Spread Recipes

PESTO-PEPPER CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, goat cheese, oil, thyme and garlic., Line a 1-qt. bowl with plastic wrap. Place a third of the cheese mixture in bowl; top with pesto, half of the remaining cheese mixture, the peppers and remaining cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours., Invert cheese mixture onto a serving plate; discard plastic wrap. Serve with crackers.

PESTO AND RED PEPPER SPREAD

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese, pesto and mustard with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
• Place half of the cream cheese mixture in 2-cup plastic wrap-lined bowl; press cream cheese mixture firmly into bowl. Top with peppers. Cover with remaining cream cheese mixture, spreading to edge of bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until firm.
• Unmold cream cheese mixture onto serving plate; remove plastic wrap. Serve as a spread for the crackers.

THREE PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Place the Parmesan cheese and olive oil in a blender or food processor; blend until smooth. Add the red bell pepper, basil, red pepper flakes, and black pepper; blend again until smooth.

RED PEPPER PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot with lightly-salted water to a boil. Stir the penne into the water and return to a boil. Cook until the pasta is mostly tender but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain. Transfer the drained pasta to a large bowl.
• Place the basil, red pepper, and Parmesan cheese in the bowl of a food processor; stream the olive oil into the mixture as it blends until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the sauce over the cooked pasta and toss to coat.

RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread pine nuts on a baking sheet and bake until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• Place peppers directly over the trivet of a gas-stove burner over high heat, or on a grill. Just as each section turns puffy and black, turn pepper with tongs to prevent overcooking. (If you don't have a gas stove, place peppers on a baking pan, and broil in the oven, turning as each side becomes charred.) Transfer peppers to a large bowl, and cover immediately with plastic wrap. Let peppers sweat until they are cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes; then transfer to a work surface. Peel off the blackened skin and discard.
• Coarsely chop peppers and transfer to a food processor. Add pine nuts. With machine running, add olive oil in a steady stream. Continue processing, scraping down the sides as needed until pureed. Season with salt and pepper.

RED PEPPER-PESTO DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix all ingredients except crackers.
• Spread into 9" pie plate.
• Bake 15 minutes.
• Cool 5 mins, serve warm with crackers.

ROASTED RED PEPPER-PESTO SPREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Beat cream cheese and ricotta cheese in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Pour into 9-inch pie plate.
• Bake 50 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely. Cover.
• Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Let stand at room temperature 15 min. before serving to soften slightly. Serve with assorted crackers.

ROASTED RED PEPPER & PESTO DRESSING

Steps:

• While the coals of the barbecue are burning hot, char the peppers, turning frequently using metal tongs until blistered and evenly blackened (see tip below for charring indoors). Remove to a bowl, cover with a plate and set aside to cool completely - this will create steam, which softens the flesh and makes the skin easier to remove.
• Gently rub the peels off the peppers and remove the seeds. Finely chop the flesh on a board, then scrape back into the bowl along with any juices. Mix in the pesto or basil, olive oil and vinegar, and season well. Can be made up to two days ahead and chilled until needed. Remove from the fridge 1 hr before serving. Spoon over the fish and veg.

LAYERED PESTO AND ROASTED RED PEPPER DIP

Steps:

• Soften cream cheese to room temperature.
• Place half of the cream cheese, pesto and milk in a blender or food processor - blend until smooth.
• Remove and place into a shallow bowl or plate.
• Clean out blender/food processor.
• Place half (4 oz) of the cream cheese and the red peppers in a blender or food processor. Cover and blend 30 to 40 seconds until smooth.
• Place red pepper mixture on top of the pesto mixture.
• Place in a the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour before serving.
• Serve with Wheat Thins or your choice of crackers. You can dip the crackers in the dip or use a spreader.
• Note: Makes 9 servings of 2 Tablespoons each. If you want to make a larger serving for a party, double recipe.

FETTUCCINE WITH PESTO AND ROASTED RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cook fettuccine in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in heavy small skillet over medium-low heat. Add peppers and stir until heated through.
• Drain fettuccine well. Return to pot. Mix in peppers and pesto. Season with salt and pepper. Serve, passing cheese.