Tomato Basil Torta
I enjoy sharing Christmas cheer! Here’s a holiday Tomato Basil Torta that you can share with friends, neighbors, or start your New Year’s Eve party with. It’s a nice change from a traditional cheeseball and so colorful and did I mention delicious?
Tomato Basil Torta
Clearly this Tomato Basil Torta can be served anytime of the year. I just really love to serve it with my holiday spread. It’s savory and flavorful and I serve it with crackers, or baguette slices . It’s convenient too and it can be made and chilled several days ahead, so it’s a lifesaver for busy hostesses.
All you need to do is layer it up, so let’s get started. Beat 2 of the packages of softened cream cheese, butter, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and pepper at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Set aside. Process dried tomatoes in a food processor until chopped. Add 1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, tomato paste, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; process until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Spoon into a bowl, and set aside. Wipe container of food processor clean. Process the garlic and next 4 ingredients in the food processor until chopped. Add the Parmesan cheese, remaining 3-ounce package cream cheese, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; pulse just until blended, stopping to scrape the down sides. Spray a 6-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Spread 1/2 cup butter mixture evenly on bottom of springform pan. Layer with half of tomato mixture, 1/2 cup butter mixture, and half of basil mixture; top with 1/2 cup butter mixture. Repeat layers with remaining tomato mixture, 1/2 cup butter mixture, and remaining basil mixture. Top with remaining butter mixture. Cover with plastic wrap; chill at least 8 hours.
Run a knife gently around edge of pan to loosen sides. Remove sides of pan; carefully remove bottom of pan, and place layered spread on a serving tray. Garnish, if desired. Serve with crackers or baguette slices.
Tomato Basil Torta
Enjoy this colorful appetizer torta that is party perfect year-round. You'll find it especially lovely starring at your Christmas buffet.
Author: Renée
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1⅓ cups sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
- 2 (3-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened and divided
- ⅓ cup tomato paste
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1½ cups firmly packed fresh basil
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Vegetable cooking spray
- Garnishes: fresh rosemary sprigs, sun-dried tomatoes
- Crackers or baguette slices
Instructions
- Beat 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, butter, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Set aside.
- Process dried tomatoes in a food processor until chopped. Add 1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, tomato paste, and ¼ teaspoon salt; process until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Spoon into a bowl, and set aside. Wipe container of food processor clean.
- Process garlic and next 4 ingredients in food processor until chopped. Add Parmesan cheese, remaining 3-ounce package cream cheese, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt; pulse just until blended, stopping to scrape down sides.
- Spray a 6-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Spread ½ cup butter mixture evenly on bottom of springform pan. Layer with half of tomato mixture, ½ cup butter mixture, and half of basil mixture; top with ½ cup butter mixture. Repeat layers with remaining tomato mixture, ½ cup butter mixture, and remaining basil mixture. Top with remaining butter mixture. Cover with plastic wrap; chill at least 8 hours.
- Run a knife gently around edge of pan to loosen sides. Remove sides of pan; carefully remove bottom of pan, and place layered spread on a serving tray. Garnish, if desired. Serve with crackers or baguette slices.
Do you ever invite friends over for an easy party? I love to host a game night and ask friends to bring an appetizer or drink to share. I add in my favorites and provide the beverages, and keep it simple! Enjoy the holidays all!
And here’s a pin to share. Thanks for reading and please like us on Facebook were we share all kinds of great ideas and recipes too!
We're Alison and Renée, and we're so glad you've joined us! Our kitchens are our happy place, where we're whipping up memories. Get comfy and check things out. We hope you find inspiring dishes and ways to better your life. Feeling optimistic, trying new things and sharing with those we love brings joy in all we do. It's time to cook, create and celebrate. CHEERS! 
What a beautiful appetizer for a party. Love the red Christmas color. Hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas! Sending hugs from Nebraska!
Thanks Julie, same to you! I am visiting soon to see what you’ve got going for New Year’s Eve…
Yummy!
Looks so Christmasy!
My last Bird Lady Pin of the year! Wooohooo! (Unless, of course, you manage to post today.) We were just talking about you on Sunday. I can’t remember which recipe we were talking about, but I casually mentioned it was “gnee”.(Not Renee… we always say “gnee” when we’re talking about you.) The rest of them didn’t get it until we added “Singing With Birds”. Even my husband knows you by that name. You’re FAMOUS.
Now, Hi Ho Hi Ho off to pin I go.
This looks so festive with the red and green layers! What a wonderful holiday party recipe. Saved.
I have had this commercially prepared but never made my own! This is so beautiful and festive. I would sit and eat nearly the whole thing myself! Appetizers are my great weakness.
I hope 2014 is a wonderful and prosperous year for you!
I’ve made something very similar and it is delicious! Great colors for Christmas too 🙂
You know what they say about kindred spirits, if you’ve made it and liked it, I know it’s good! Thanks Susan.