Basil Pesto and Red Pepper Torte
This simple but elegant Basil Pesto and Red Pepper Torte with cream cheese and Brown Rice is everything you need for your next party or get together!
SERVES
12
TOTAL TIME
30 mins (+ 60 mins chilling time)
Ingredients
- 2 bags Success® Brown Rice
- 1 pkg (8 oz.) light cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup basil pesto sauce
- 12 oz roasted red pepper, drained and chopped
- ½ cup pine nuts, toasted
- fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
Try this simple but elegant appetizer layered with basil pesto, light cream cheese, Success® Brown Rice, roasted red pepper and topped with pine nuts that will have your guests begging for the recipe!
Step 1
Prepare rice according to package directions. Line a 7-inch removable bottom or spring form pan with plastic wrap.
Step 2
Combine rice, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and salt.
Step 3
Spread ⅓ of rice-cheese mixture on bottom of pan. Spread basil pesto sauce on top. Add second layer of rice-cheese mixture. Top with red peppers. Finish with remaining rice-cheese mixture. Refrigerate one hour.
Step 4
Invert on serving plate. Remove plastic wrap and sprinkle top with pine nuts. Garnish with basil leaves. Serve with crackers or sliced crusty French bread.
Tags
Give your party extra oomph!
Looking for that extra something for your next party or get together? Impress your guests with this show-stopping torte and make them think you spent hours on something that takes less than 30 minutes of your time!
Work smarter and not harder and prepare your dish with Success® Boil-in-Bag Brown Rice which uses an innovative cooking method but doesn’t skimp on any of the delicious flavor and whole grain goodness you get from using Brown Rice.
Ingredient tips
Let’s talk ingredients. Feel free to spend as much or as little time on this dish as you wish. We recommend using your favorite store-bought pesto but if you have some time on your hands and looking to impress, try your hand at your own homemade pesto using basil, Parmesan, garlic, pine nuts, oil and salt in the blender. If you do make your own pesto, double the batch and use the rest for a creamy Pesto Chicken and Rice dish after.
Use your favorite light or full-fat cream cheese, if you choose, and mix that with your pre-cooked rice. Follow the steps to layer it all together and let it sit in the fridge. Serve with crispy bread or crackers of your choice and voilá!
