Layered Basil Cheese Spread Recipes

Steps:

• Line 3-1/2-to 4-cup bowl or mold with plastic wrap, allowing excess wrap to extend over sides. Set aside.
• In medium bowl gently stir together cream cheese and tomato. Set aside.
• In food processor bowl combine basil, parmesan cheese, parsley, pine nuts and garlic. Cover and process until very finely chopped. With food processor running, slowly add oil through feed tube. Process until mixture is consistency of soft butter.
• Spread one-third of cream cheese mixture in prepared bowl. Top with one-half of basil mixture. Repeat layers. Spread remaining cheese mixture on top. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
• On serving plate invert bowl. Remove plastic wrap. Garnish with tomato and fresh basil, if desired. Serve with crackers.

Steps:

• Beat 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Set aside.
• Process dried tomatoes in a food processor until chopped. Add 1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, tomato paste, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; process until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Spoon into a bowl, and set aside. Wipe container of food processor clean.
• Process garlic and next 4 ingredients in food processor until chopped. Add Parmesan cheese, remaining 3-ounce package cream cheese, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; pulse just until blended, stopping to scrape down sides.
• Spray a 6-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Spread 1/2 cup butter mixture evenly on bottom of springform pan. Layer with half of tomato mixture, 1/2 cup butter mixture, and half of basil mixture; top with 1/2 cup butter mixture.
• Repeat layers with remaining tomato mixture, 1/2 cup butter mixture, and remaining basil mixture. Top with remaining butter mixture. Cover with plastic wrap; chill at least 8 hours.
• Run a knife gently around edge of pan to loosen sides. Remove sides of pan; carefully remove bottom of pan, and place layered spread on a serving tray. Garnish, if desired. Serve with crackers or baguette slices.

Steps:

• Finely chop garlic in processor. Add basil, 1/4 cup pine nuts, oil and lemon juice. Process until well blended. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Using on/off turns, process just until blended. Transfer pesto to medium bowl.
• Coarsely chop tomatoes in processor. Add tomato paste and process until mixture is almost smooth. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese and blend well.
• Using electric mixer, beat 2 cups cream cheese and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spray 6-cup soufflé dish with nonstick spray. Line with plastic wrap, extending plastic over sides. Spread 3/4 cup cream cheese-butter mixture evenly over bottom of prepared dish. Top with half of tomato mixture, then 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture, then half of pesto mixture. Repeat layering with 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture, remaining tomato mixture, 1/2 cup cream cheese-butter mixture and remaining pesto. Top with remaining cream cheese-butter mixture. Cover and chill overnight. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Invert torta onto platter. Peel off plastic. Garnish with basil sprigs and toasted pine nuts. Serve with baguette slices.

Steps:

• Spread Cheddar cheese into 5-inch round, about 1/2 inch thick, on serving platter; smooth side and top with small metal spatula. Sprinkle mushrooms over cheese; press lightly.
• Spread cream cheese over mushrooms; smooth side and top. Sprinkle with basil; press lightly.
• Top with Swiss-almond cheese; smooth side and top. Sprinkle bell peppers over top. Press parsley into side. Serve with crackers.

Steps:

• In a mixer or with wooden spoon, blend softened cheeses until smooth.
• Line a 7-inch loaf pan with enough dampened cheese cloth to hang over each side of the pan.
• With moist spatula, spread 1/3 cheese mixture in pan until evenly covered. Top with basil pesto, careful not to blend with cheese.
• Top with 1/3 cheese mixture by dropping small spoonfuls over previous layer and carefully spreading.
• Then spread the sun-dried tomato pesto and top with the remaining 1/3 of cheese mixture until evenly covered.
• Fold cheese cloth over top of cheese.
• Wrap in foil and refrigerate overnight.
• To serve, remove foil and cheese cloth carefully and invert onto serving platter.
• Top with pine nuts and fresh basil sprig.
• Serve at room temperature with plain crackers and toasted baguette slices.

Steps:

• 1. Line 3 1/2-to 4-cup bowl or mold with plastic wrap, allowing excess wrap to extend over sides. Set aside.2. In medium bowl gently stir together cream cheese and tomato. Set aside.3. In food processor bowl combine basil, Parmesan cheese, parsley, pine nuts and garlic. Cover and process until very finely chopped. With food processor running, slowly add oil through feed tube. Process until mixture is consistency of soft butter.4. Spread one-third of cream cheese mixture in prepared bowl. Top with one-half of basil mixture. Repeat layers. Spread remaining cheese mixture on top. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.5. On serving plate invert bowl. Remove plastic wrap. Garnish with tomato and fresh basil, if desired. Serve with crackers.*NOTE: Two tablespoons KELLOGG'S CORN FLAKE crumbs may be substituted for the pine nuts or almonds.