Pesto Cheese Torta with Grilled Chops

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  • Pesto Cheese Torta with Grilled Chops

directions

  • 1

    Spread pine nuts in a 9-inch pie pan and bake in a 350F

  • 2

    oven until golden (about 7 minutes), shaking pan occasionally

  • 3

    In a food processor or a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mascarpone, and 1/2 cup Garlic Thyme Pesto

  • 4

    Blend or beat with an electric mixer until smooth

  • 5

    Season to taste with salt, if desired

  • 6

    Stir in half the pine nuts. Line a small bowl (about 2-1/2-cup capacity) with a double layer of dampened cheesecloth, leav- ing a 2-inch border of cloth draped over edge of bowl

  • 7

    Spoon in cheese mixture, fold cloth over top, and press down lightly to compact

  • 8

    Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm (at least 2 hours) or until next day. When torta is ready, coat the grill with non-stick vegetable spray and preheat to medium hot

  • 9

    Whisk together Rosemary Pesto, olive oil, onion, and lemon juice to make basting sauce

  • 10

    Use a brush to coat chops with sauce

  • 11

    Grill the meat, basting frequently, to the desired doneness. Melt butter in a saute pan and cook bell pepper and zuchinni until just tender

  • 12

    Unfold cheesecloth from around torta and invert bowl onto the center of a large serving plate

  • 13

    Let torta slip out and remove cheesecloth

  • 14

    Sprinkle torta with remaining pine nuts

  • 15

    Surround with grilled chops and sauteed vegetables and garnish with fresh basil leaves

  • 16

    Serves 10 to 12.

Pesto Cheese Torta with Grilled Chops

ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Garlic Thyme Pesto (page 39)
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 1 cup whole-milk or part-skim ricotta cheese,
  • at room temperature
  • 1 cup mascarpone or Neufchatel cheese,
  • at room temperature
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • fresh basil leaves or sprigs
  • red bell pepper strips and zucchini spears
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 pounds of lean pork, lamb, or veal chops
  • MEAT BASTING SAUCE
  • 1/4 cup Rosemary Pesto (page 35)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon of minced onion
  • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

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