Basil Pesto Bread

"At a recent party our friends went wild over this. A simple pesto is spread on Italian bread and layered with roma tomatoes and cheese. It takes a little time, but it is worth it. I freeze the basil in ice cube trays, then put the cubes in freezer bags. You can easily take out and thaw what you need. Enjoy!"

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 (1 pound) loaf Italian bread
• 3 roma (plum) tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 (8 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, sliced

DIRECTIONS

1. In a blender or food processor, puree the basil leaves, olive oil and garlic. Mix in the pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. Continue processing until desired consistency is reached.
2. Preheat the broiler.
3. Slice Italian bread to desired thickness. Spread a layer of pesto on each slice. Top with roma (plum) tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
4. Place topped bread slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Broil 5 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

Simple Garlic and Basil Pesto

"This recipe is something that you can make quickly and easily using a blender. Everything you need is easy to find in your local supermarket. This paste is great for putting on or in meat and pastas, or with cottage cheese in stuffed pasta shells. Once I start making this, the orders from friends and family keep coming in. For best taste, pesto should be heated up in the meal it's being prepared with."

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups chopped fresh basil
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1/8 cup Brazil nuts
• 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the basil in a blender. Pour in about 1 tablespoon of the oil, and blend basil into a paste. Gradually add pine nuts, Brazil nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, chili powder, and remaining oil. Continue to blend until smooth.