directions
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1
Spread pine nuts in a 9-inch pie pan and bake in a 350F
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2
oven until golden (about 7 minutes), shaking pan occasionally
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3
In a food processor or a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mascarpone, and 1/2 cup Garlic Thyme Pesto
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4
Blend or beat with an electric mixer until smooth
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5
Season to taste with salt, if desired
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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
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7
Spoon in cheese mixture, fold cloth over top, and press down lightly to compact
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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
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9
Whisk together Rosemary Pesto, olive oil, onion, and lemon juice to make basting sauce
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10
Use a brush to coat chops with sauce
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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
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12
Unfold cheesecloth from around torta and invert bowl onto the center of a large serving plate
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13
Let torta slip out and remove cheesecloth
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14
Sprinkle torta with remaining pine nuts
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15
Surround with grilled chops and sauteed vegetables and garnish with fresh basil leaves
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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