Best Sun Dried Tomato Biscotti With Basil Cream Cheese Topping Recipes

SAVOURY MEDITERRANEAN BISCOTTI

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat eggs and sugar.
• Add olive oil until smooth.
• In bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, pepper and basil and oregano.
• Stir dry ingredients into egg mixture until blended.
• Stir in cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and olives and combine thoroughly.
• Divide dough into 2 pieces and shape each into a log about 10 inches long.
• Place on parchment-lined cookie sheet and flatten tops slightly.
• Bake in preheated 325°F oven for 30 minutes or until pale golden and not quite firm to the touch.
• Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes.
• Transfer to cutting board and slice into 1/2 inch diagonal slices with serrated knife.
• Place pieces on baking sheet and return to 325°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until firm and dry.
• Turn over partway through cooking time.
• Cool on rack.
• Makes about 3 dozen.
• Store in airtight container.

SAVORY BISCOTTI WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place two baking sheets together (to simulate thicker sheet) and line top sheet with parchment paper.
• In large mixing bowl, stir together flour, black pepper, salt and baking powder. Add cheese, pine nuts, parsley, thyme, oregano and basil and stir together. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and hot peppers.
• Make well in center of mixture; add eggs, wine or water and 1/4 cup oil and stir until mixture forms soft dough. Turn out onto work surface and knead briefly. Shape into log, about 3 1/2 inches by 8 inches. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and brush top with olive oil. Dust with paprika.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly golden and puffy. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325ºF. Slice cooled log into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Separate slices and return to oven for 15 minutes, or until crisp.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND BASIL CHEESECAKE APPETIZER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a food processor, blend the bread, 1/2 cup softened butter and 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese. Spray cooking oil in the bottom of a nonstick 91/2-inch springform pan. Cut a piece of parchment to fit the bottom of the pan. Press crumb mixture into pan, going up 1/4 inch on sides. Refrigerate.
• Beat the cream cheese until smooth in a sturdy electric mixer. Add chopped onion, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup melted and cooled butter, 1 tablespoon oil and herbs from the tomato jar, and the basil. Add eggs, 7 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sour cream, blending until smooth.
• Pour a third of the filling into the refrigerated crust. Add a layer of about 15 coarsely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, followed by another third of the filling. Add a thin layer of pesto (don't go too close to the edge with this) and remaining third of filling.
• Bake 50-60 minutes on second-to-lowest rack of oven, placing a foil sheet underneath to catch drippings. When set in center, turn off oven and let the cheesecake sit 20 more minutes. Cool and refrigerate for a day.
• Remove sides of pan and place cheesecake on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and pieces of sundried tomato. Enjoy with crackers or rustic breads.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO BISCOTTI WITH BASIL-CREAM CHEESE TOPPING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In small bowl, pour enough boiling water over dried tomatoes to cover. Let stand 5 minutes; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons liquid. Finely chop tomatoes.
• In medium bowl, mix eggs, oil and reserved tomato liquid until well blended. Stir in flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder and the red pepper. Stir in tomatoes. Divide dough in half. On ungreased cookie sheet, shape each half into 10x3-inch rectangle.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on cookie sheet 10 minutes. Cut each rectangle crosswise into 16 (about 1/2-inch) slices. Turn slices cut side down on cookie sheet.
• Bake 10 minutes. Turn biscotti. Bake about 10 minutes longer or until crisp and golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In small bowl, mix cream cheese, basil and dash of garlic powder. To serve, spread each biscotti with about 1/2 teaspoon cream cheese mixture; sprinkle with about 1/2 teaspoon chèvre cheese.