Tomato Basil Cream Cheese Spread Recipes

Steps:

• Blend Ingredients together in a food processor and spread on bread, bagels, or crackers.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt the water. Add small shell pasta and cook the pasta to al dente doneness which means that the pasta will still have a bite to it or be a little chewy. The pasta will soak up more juice and keep on cooking after we drain it, so we need it to be a little under cooked. The shells will probably cook about 9 or 10 minutes.
• Preheat a deep, big skillet or a medium sauce pot over medium heat.
• Place garlic on the cutting board and place the flat of your knife on top of each clove. Carefully give the garlic a whack with the palm of your hand to separate the cloves from the skins. Throw out the skins and chop up the garlic. Remember to keep your fingers curled under and the edge of your sharp, chef's knife tilted slightly away from your body.
• Add extra-virgin olive oil to the pan by pouring a slow stream of it twice-around-the-pan. This will be about 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Do not let the oil pour out too fast. You are looking for a slow, steady stream. Add the garlic to the oil. To chop the onion, cut the ends off and cut the whole onion down the center. Wrap half and save it. Cut the other half into thin slices then twist the slices a quarter turn and chop them again. Hold the tip of knife on the cutting board and lift the back of the knife up and down over the onion to make the pieces really small. Add the chopped up onion to the garlic and oil. Cook, stirring a lot, 5 minutes until the onions are mushy and look cooked.
• Add the tomatoes to the onions and stir. When the tomatoes come to a bubble, reduce the heat under the sauce to low. Stir in basil pieces to wilt them. Season the sauce with salt and peppe, to your taste.
• Preheat your broiler to high and place a rack in the center of the oven.
• Drain pasta shells. Add them to a flameproof casserole dish. Add pesto sauce, 1 cup of ricotta cheese and a handful of grated Parmigiano, too. Stir carefully and coat the hot pasta with the pesto and cheeses. Pour the hot tomato and basil sauce over the pasta, as much as you like. You can always serve a little extra at the table, to pass around. Shred up some mozzarella cheese with a grater and scatter it over the pasta. Add a final sprinkle of Parmigiano to the mozzarella as well. Place the casserole under the broiler in the middle of oven, 10 to 12 inches from the heat. Let the cheese melt and bubble on top, 3 to 5 minutes.

Steps:

• Put the cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and basil in a food processor. Process until smooth and the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Season to taste and pulse 3 times to mix evenly. Serve with toasted bagels. Can be made 1 day ahead.

Steps:

• In a food processor fitted with metal blade puree basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and cream cheese to make a paste.
• To hollow out cherry tomatoes, cut a cone shape out of the stem end of the tomato with a sharp paring knife.
• Fill tomatoes with "pesto" using a pastry bag fitted with a large nozzle.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Reserve 2 Tbsp. basil for later use. Combine remaining basil with mozzarella, mayo and garlic.
• Unfold 1 pastry sheet onto cutting board; cut into 3 strips following fold lines in pastry. Cut each strip crosswise into 4 squares; place on parchment-covered baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pastry sheet on second baking sheet.
• Spread about 1 tsp. cheese mixture onto each pastry square. Top with remaining ingredients.
• Bake 16 to 18 min. or until edges are lightly browned. Sprinkle with reserved basil.

Steps:

• Spread cream cheese on bagel halves. Top cream cheese with tomato slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with fresh basil leaves.

Steps:

• Place bread on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 6-8 in. from the heat for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the tomato, onion and olives; set aside. , Combine cream cheese and basil; spread over the untoasted side of bread. Broil 3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and edges are golden brown. Top with tomato mixture. Serve warm.

Steps:

• Combine, cream cheese, sour cream, basil, Italian parsley, tomatoes, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, tomato paste, onion salt, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on High until whipped, 2 to 3 minutes.

Steps:

• Spread cream cheese onto bottom of pie plate.
• Combine tomatoes and dressing; spoon over cream cheese.
• Top with remaining ingredients.