Tuscan Red Pepper Appetizer Spread Recipes

RUSTIC TUSCAN PEPPER BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, honey and mint. Add peppers; toss to coat. Let stand 15 minutes., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat goat cheese and cream cheese. Spread 1 rounded teaspoon on each cracker. Drain peppers well. Arrange peppers on cheese-topped crackers.

ROASTED RED PEPPER SPREAD

Steps:

• Roast red peppers, tomatoes, garlic and onion under a broiler or on a grill at 425 degrees F, turning to roast all sides, until tomatoes and peppers are blistered, blackened and softened and garlic and onion are blackened in spots. Remove from heat.
• Place pepper and tomatoes in paper bags, secure opening and let cool about 15 minutes. Allow garlic and onion to cool. Peel garlic and onion. Finely chop garlic. Set aside. Finely chop onion, measuring 1/4 cup. Set aside. Peel and seed peppers and tomatoes. Place peppers and tomatoes in a food processor or blender, working in batches, and process until smooth.
• Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside.
• Combine pepper and tomato puree, garlic, onion, vinegar, basil, sugar and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture thickens and mounds on a spoon, about 20 minutes.
• Ladle hot spread into hot jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Wipe rim. Center hot lid on jar. Apply band and adjust until fit is fingertip tight.
• Process in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

TUSCAN RED PEPPER APPETIZER SPREAD

Steps:

• Reserve 1 Tbsp. onions for later use. Beat remaining onions with all remaining ingredients until blended.
• Refrigerate 2 hours.
• Sprinkle with reserved onions before serving.

ROASTED RED PEPPER SPREAD

Steps:

• Arrange drained peppers on a double layer of paper towels; let dry.
• Process the remaining ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender, until the capers and parsley are very finely chopped.
• Add peppers and process with on-off switch until the peppers are coarsely chopped. Do not overprocess. Stop several times to scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure mixture is evenly chopped.
• Check the seasonings and adjust as necessary.
• Serve with crudites.

ITALIAN RED PEPPER BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Cut bread in half lengthwise; place on a baking sheet. In a nonstick skillet, saute 2 garlic cloves in 2 tablespoons oil until tender. Brush over cut side of bread. , In the same skillet, saute the red peppers, onion, Italian seasoning and remaining garlic in remaining oil until vegetables are tender; remove from the heat. Add 2 tablespoons basil, parsley and oregano; cool slightly. Place in a blender or food processor; cover and process until pureed. Spread over bread., Top with tomato slices and cheese. Sprinkle with remaining basil. Bake at 400° for 10-13 minutes or until cheese is melted and edges are golden brown.

TUSCAN CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, garlic and salt; stir and blend in artichoke hearts and olives.
• Add green onions, tomatoes, parsley and chives; gently mix together.
• Refrigerate for several hours or overnight to blend flavors; serve.

TUSCAN CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place cream cheese in a microwave safe bow. Add the herbs & spices for the spread except cheese. Microwave for 30 seconds. Mix thoroughly adjust seasonings to taste, refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Add the balsamic vinegar & brown sugar to a small saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to med-low and stir occasionally until reduced by half and thickened, about 30-45 minutes. Set aside until ready to serve.
• Combine tomatoes, fresh basil, onions, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Toss and refrigerate at least a few hours, overnight is best.
• When ready to serve spread cheese spread into an oven proof serving serving dish. I spread mine on one half of a 9x9 or 13x9 if doubling or tripling, the other half will be for the bruschetta. Top spread with some Parmesan cheese and bake at 400°F until melted. Spoon bruschetta on the other side of cheese spread. Sprinkle balsamic glaze over tomato mix. Or you can pile the bruschetta on top of the cheese spread. Spread some cheese on some sliced bread and top with bruschetta.

ITALIAN SPINACH & ROASTED RED PEPPER SPREAD

Steps:

• Mix sour cream and Italian dressing mix in a bowl until well combined Add spinach, cheese and red pepper and mix well.
• Cover and refrigerate for a couple hours until well chilled.

LAYERED ITALIAN DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Mix cream cheese and Parmesan until blended; spread onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate.
• Top with layers of remaining ingredients.
• Bake 15 min. or until heated through.