Cherry Tomato Pesto Pops Recipes

Steps:

• In a small sauce pot combine the cherries and wine, reduce by 1/3 and let cool. While the cherries are cooling, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saute pan and saute sausages, mushroom, carrot, and leeks, until soft and the sausages are cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside. Finish the pesto by combining the cherries, basil, walnuts, and garlic in a food processor and pulse. While blending, slowly add 1 cup of olive oil until all is incorporated and you have a well-emulsified pesto. Remove pesto to a mixing bowl and, if using, fold in the cheese. To the sauteed vegetables, add 2 cups of purple passion rice, cooked to manufacturer's specifications, toss with the pesto, and baby spinach. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Working one at a time, cut a small slice off the bottom of any tomato that won't stand flat. Cut off the top 1/8-inch of each tomato, and scoop out the top 1/4-inch of flesh, using either a melon baller or a paring knife.
• Combine the basil, Parmesan, almonds, oil and salt in a food processor; pulse, scraping down the sides, until the mixture forms a paste. Transfer the pesto to a piping bag fitted with a small tip. Fill each tomato with a small dollop of the pesto. Refrigerate until ready to serve or serve immediately.

Steps:

• To make the pesto, turn on a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and drop in the garlic. When it is chopped and adhering to the sides of the bowl, stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Add the basil, pumpkin seeds or pine nuts, salt, pepper and olive oil to the food processor, and process until smooth and creamy. Add the Parmesan, and pulse until well combined. You can also use a mortar and pestle. Add the basil leaves gradually, and mash with the pestle. Add the pumpkin seeds or pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper. Mash to a paste with the basil. Work in the olive oil and the Parmesan.
• Using a paring knife, cut thin slices from the tops of the cherry tomatoes. Use a grapefruit spoon or small spoon to scoop the seeds and flesh from the center of each tomato. Lightly salt the hollowed out tomatoes if desired, and place them, cut side down, on a rack to drain for 15 minutes. Fill with the pesto, arrange on a platter and serve. Refrigerate or freeze any excess pesto.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and 3 cups milk until smooth and well combined. Stir in the chopped chocolate. In another medium bowl, whisk to combine Cool Whip with 1/4 cup milk. In another small bowl, whisk to combine cherry preserves and 2 tablespoons water.
• Spoon a tablespoon of the pudding into each popsicle mold and top with a spoonful of whipped topping. Pour the pudding mixture halfway up the molds and add a spoonful of preserves. Top off each with remaining pudding, insert popsicle sticks and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Unmold and garnish with shaved chocolate and fresh cherries.