Baked smoked garlic cheese with pesto toasts recipe

Baked Smoked Garlic Cheese with Pesto Toasts Recipe

Nutritional Benefits

1. Garlic: Garlic is known for its potential health benefits, including boosting the immune system, reducing blood pressure, and improving heart health.
2. Cheese: Cheese is a good source of calcium and protein. It also contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, phosphorus, and selenium.
3. Pesto: Pesto is made from fresh basil leaves, which are rich in antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts.
4. Bread: Whole grain bread used in this recipe provides fiber, essential for a healthy digestive system.

Ingredients

1. 1 head of smoked garlic
2. 8 oz of your favorite cheese (such as mozzarella or cheddar)
3. 1 cup fresh basil leaves
4. 1/4 cup pine nuts
5. 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
6. 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
7. 1 loaf of whole grain bread
8. Salt and pepper to taste

Processing Steps

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: Cut the top off the head of smoked garlic and wrap it in aluminum foil. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes until soft and fragrant.
3. Step 3: In a food processor, combine the roasted garlic, cheese, basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Blend until smooth.
4. Step 4: Slice the whole grain bread into thick slices. Toast them in the oven until crispy.
5. Step 5: Spread the garlic cheese mixture generously on the toasted bread slices.
6. Step 6: Place the prepared toasts on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Step 7: Serve the baked smoked garlic cheese with pesto toasts warm and enjoy!

Tips and Recommendations

- Serve the toasts as an appetizer or alongside a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Customize the recipe by adding additional toppings like sliced tomatoes or fresh herbs before baking.
- Use different types of cheese to create unique flavor combinations.
- Experiment with different types of bread, such as sourdough or multigrain, for added texture and taste.
- Store any leftover garlic cheese mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for future use.
- Make a larger batch of the garlic cheese mixture and freeze it in small portions for quick and easy snacks or meals.

Shopping List:

1. Smoked garlic
2. Cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
3. Fresh basil leaves
4. Pine nuts
5. Grated Parmesan cheese
6. Extra virgin olive oil
7. Whole grain bread
8. Salt and pepper