“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand - and melting like a snowflake.”
- Francis Bacon

Thursday, December 17, 2009

♥Holiday Sun-dried Tomato, Herb and Cheese Spread♥



This is good - really good - finger lickin' good☺ I've been loading all of you up with sweets so I thought it was about time I took you down from your sugar high. Not only is this pretty - it is absolutely DELICIOUS!

Ingredients

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/3 cups sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
2 (3-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened and divided
1/3 cup tomato paste
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 cups firmly packed fresh basil
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetable cooking spray
Garnishes: fresh rosemary sprigs, sun-dried tomatoes
Crackers or baguette slices

Preparation

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.

8 comments:

Zuzana said...

I have to try to make this!
Lovely image as always.;)
xo
Zuzana

Lucy said...

Wouldn't this be an impressive dish to serve for that business cocktail party?

~Kristen~ said...

And I wonder why I get hungry after visiting your blog!!! :-) This looks sooooo yummy!!!!!!!

blushing rose said...

Going into the Christmas 'try me' new recipe for next week. TY for sharing.

Follow/read us on new blog @
blushingrosetoo.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas ~
TTFN ~Marydon

Claus said...

This sounds seriously yummy!!
I have to try this!...as soon as possible!
Thanks for sharing!

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Yummy....thanks for sharing all of these great recipes for the holidays. I need to come back later and copy them
Take care and Merry Christmas
Maggie

The Pink Birdhouse said...

Another yummy recipe! And you are right, I have to get away from all the sugar. I was at the cafe today eating cinnamon cream cake with my sister in law, had cookies yesterday and DH brought home a big bag of Xmas chocolates. And I thought I would try losing a fews pounds of late. HA HA. As for me being like the Energizer bunny, well at times I do feel like it, all wound up and no place to go. Must be all that sugar! :-) After I wrote that post I felt bad, it came across as sounding as if I was busy busy busy and getting lots done, but in reality I was kinda apologizing to everyone for not logging in more often and coming around for a visit!! Loved your comment on it, Mimi. You always make me smile. hugs from here from your own Energizer Bunny in desquise, Debby

Anonymous said...

Dear,dear Mimi, you have nothing to worry about. All the good things you cook, etc. way outdoes all my stuff. I never cook. HH does all the cooking in this house. Now I do things for special events and I will surely try today's recipe. It is perfect for teas or cocktail parties.
Now I have been busy with the gifts but once this is over. BTW I watched Julia and Julie today and it was a blast. Loved it.
QMM