Today is Day 7 of our 12 Days of Christmas in July Giveaway. You can enter each day to win the prize of the day! Contest rules and how to enter are below.
It takes just a minute to enter: simply comment below answering the question of the day!
Today’s Recipe
On the seventh day of our 12 Days of Christmas in July Giveaway, my true love gave to me…the Pesto, Sundried Tomato, Olive and Goat Cheese Torta recipe from Gourmac!
INGREDIENTS
For the Pesto:
- Large bunch of fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
For the Torta:
- ¼ cup sundried tomatoes, finely chopped in food processor
- ¼ cup pitted mixed olives, finely chopped in food processor (OR bottled olive tapenade, oil drained)
- 10 oz soft mild goat cheese, softened at room temperature
- 10 oz whipped cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- Pepper
DIRECTIONS
- For a smooth look, line the small loaf pan with parchment paper. Cut 1 long piece of parchment to line bottom and ends, leaving an overhang, then trace and cut out 2 more pieces for sides of pan with an overhang.
- Prepare the pesto by mixing in a food processor the basil, garlic, parmesan, salt & pepper. Set aside. (Or, if using store-bought pesto, be sure to drain the oil using a fine mesh sieve. Dispose of excess oil.)
- Mix the goat cheese, cream cheese, and ¼ tsp of pepper together.
- Spread about 1/4 (approx. ½ cup) of cheese mixture evenly over bottom of loaf pan.
- Spread all pesto evenly on top of the cheese mixture.
- Spread another layer of the cheese mixture (approx. ½ cup) very gently to cover the pesto.
- Top with the chopped sundried tomatoes, spreading evenly.
- Spread another layer of the cheese mixture (approx. ½ cup) very gently to cover the sundried tomatoes.
- Spread the chopped olives evenly on top.
- Top with the remaining cheese mixture, spreading gently to cover the olives.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 8 hours, up to 24 hours.
- When ready to serve, remove plastic wrap from top of pan and invert the pan onto a serving plate, peel off the parchment paper. Let the dip stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving. Serve with sliced baguette or crostini.
ENTER TO WIN TODAY’S PRIZE:
Enter to win the Mini Utensil and Mug Set from Gourmac! Made from Melamine, a high quality plastic that cannot be reshaped after its first mold, you will no longer worry about snapping or cracking your utensils while cooking. The mini utensils are perfect for serving and cooking, and you will find yourself reaching for them over and over. The gorgeous slim mug is the perfect home for these utensils, and its sleek design will look great on any desk or counter.
In order to win today’s 12 Days of Christmas in July Giveaway, all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post below telling us:
What is your favorite easy appetizer?
OFFICIAL RULES FOR DAILY CONTEST:
- There is a maximum of one entry per person. The entry will be based upon a comment left on this blog post. Duplicate comments will be deleted and are not tallied.
- Winner will be selected at random from the comments on this blog post.
- Winner will be announced here on the blog July 23, 2015 as well as contacted by the email address provided.
- You have until tomorrow, July 22, 2015 at 11:59p EST to leave your comment on the project above. Comments posted after that will not be counted.
- Contest open to anyone 18+ in US and/or Canada.
THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED. Check out the rest of the 12 Days of Christmas in July giveaway series. There are still 5 chances to win!
Congratulations to Melanie Comello!
You’ve won the Mini Utensil and Mug Set! You will receive an e-mail shortly.
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My favorite easy appetizer is simply cheese and crackers, and the possibilities are endless, considering all the kinds of crackers available, and all the varieties of cheeses available. One of my special favorites is onion flavored Toasteds crackers (made by Keebler), with any brand of soft cream cheese with chives.
helluva good dip i buy at the store
Just reading through the Pesto Goat Cheese Torta recipe made my mouth water like crazy and I can’t wait to make it! (And eat it!!!)
My favourite easiest appetizer in the world is as easy or even easier to make than nachos:
– Place a brick of room temperature cream cheese on a plate.
– Pour a jar of seafood cocktail sauce over the cream cheese.
– Open a can of baby shrimp, drain off the liquid and pour the shrimps on top of everything.
– Serve with crackers. (Sociables, Wheat Thins or Triscuits are our favourites.)
Rosemarie
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Our favorite is ice cream with cherries, sprinkles or white chocolate chips on top
Pizza bread
Bacon crack
My favorite is stuffed mushrooms!
I love nachos with chili, I make them whenever we have company
Nachos with chili
My favorite is Nachos
Deviled eggs. People go crazy for mine -despite the fact my only secret ingredient is ranch dressing!
Shrimp mousse….sounds difficult but it’s not! I’m always asked to bring it to parties. It’s everyone’s favorite. 8oz. cream cheese, 1 can cream of tomato soup, 1 cup mayo, all mixed in a pan. Add 1 cup each chopped celery, onion, green pepper and 2 cans drained tiny shrimp. Stir in 1 packet Knox gelatin dissolved in 1/4 cup cold water. Pour into mold. Chill overnight. Serve with crudités or crackers. Awesome!
Pimiento cheese on crackers!
cheese and crackers
Cheese and Crackers with Pepper Jell over cream cheese
In this house it is a Mexican dip that we make, yummy
My favorite easy appetizer is chopped liver on crackers
Pate and crackers
Dried beef cheese roll w/crackers
stuffed mushrooms
My favorite easy appetizer is cheese and crackers, and the possibilities are endless, considering all the kinds of cheese available, and all the varieties of crackers available. One of my special favorite is plain original soft cream cheese with any flavor of cracker.
My favorite easy appetizer is either cheese and crackers or an easy hot Mexican chili dip
these look like they would be awesome also clears up drawer space
Spinach dip
My easiest appetizer recipe: place a block of cream cheese on a plate, and smother it with red pepper jelly…serve with Club crackers. It disappears so quickly!
sausage dip and scoops, its the best
Never tried this, I usually do spinach dip and crackers/bread chunks. Would love the mini utensils!
Warm chicken dip and scoops
My favorite easy appetizer is bean dip and tortilla chips or cheese and crackers.
My favorite appetizer is lebanon with cream cheese on it and then you roll it up.
Our favorite dip is crab dip with crackers or veggies.
I love cream cheese and green olive spreaf on crackers
Sausage balls
love stuffed cherry tomatoes
ham salad spread with cheese and green olives
We love crackers with salmon dip- just mix some canned salmon with cream cheese and/or sour cream, add garlic (fresh or powdered) and tarragon or any other herb you like.
I make a really great homemade spinach dip. get requests for it at every family function.
We all love chips and salsa
Deviled eggs. For holidays will dice up red and green peppers to mix with the egg yolks. It makes a very pretty platter.
My favorite easy appetizer is a Mexican dip I make that is always a crowd pleaser at any gathering I take it to.
This looks like a super set.
Salami roll ups. Thinly sliced salami from the deli and softened cream cheese. Spread cream cheese over 1 slice of salami, roll up and secure with a toothpick. You can use different flavors of cream cheese. My kids love these.
peper jelly and cream chesse – yummy!!!
Cheese and crackers
Cream cheese and pour Tiger Sauce or Pick a Pepper and serve on crackers. Yummy!! Thanks a lot in advance if I am the lucky one.
My favorite Appie has to be cheese and crackers. With a variety of crackers there is always something for everyone…
Have decided Havarti with dill, is my favorite cheese… Love it on the crackers..
Mini quiches – especially with ham and Swiss cheese
My favorite is Ham rolls with dill pickles and cream cheese with chives….
Parmesan covered baked asparagus!
spinach and artichoke dip
cheese and crackers
Our favorite app is salsa and tortilla chips! (But, my hubby also enjoys chicken salad with crackers.)
Love anything with pesto, but this looks extra good, I am hosting dominoes this month, this will be perfect. Thank you!!
I like baking coconut milk with sweet rice flour. Upgrade version fill with red bean paste inside.
My favorite snack is homemade pimento-cheese on a multi-grain cracker with a dab of strawberry-jalapeno pepper jelly. Oh, so good!
Can’t beat salsa and chips.
Our favorite summer time Appetizers are:
Fried Green Tomatoes and Fried Zucchini. They are so
good with a Shrimp Cocktail sauce to dip them in.
There’s nothing like the Fresh Summer Veggies out of
the Garden
Baked Potatoes fries
I love bacon-wrapped pineapple baked in chili-barbecue sauce.
Cheese and crackers, with olives and peppers and such if I’m feeling fancypants that day.
Salsa & scoop corn chips
spinach dip,it’s super easy to make. & you can make it in advance.
1 pkg. {10oz.} frozen chopped spinach, thawed & drained
1 16oz. sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 pkg. Knorr Recipe Classics vegetable soup, dip & recipe mix
1 can {8oz.} water chestnuts, drained & chopped {optional}
3 green onions chopped
In medium bowl mix all ingredients until well mixed. Cover & chill for 2 hrs, to blend flavors.
Stir well serve with cut-vegetables or crackers. ENJOY
My favorite easy appetizer is assorted yummy cheeses with crackers and sliced apple
Pesto Dip, Pesto spread or Pesto anything.
My favorite is cheese sticks, I make using string cheese.
Our favorite easy appetizer is meat, cheese, and crackers.
Fritos Scoops with a hot dip made of RoTel Tomatoes, Chili & melted Cheddar Cheese
If I have a little notice I like to fix fudge in the microwave
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 tbsp real butter
1 can condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla
nuts, if desired
It only takes about 5 minutes to make it & in an hour it has set enough in the frig to cut & eat it! Simple!
If I’m in a rush, buy frozen Farm Rich Mozzarella Cheese sticks, bake & enjoy with some sauce!
Sweet Vidalia Onion Mini Pies!
My favorite is a cheddar cheese and black olives dip with crackers
cheese and crackers
My favorite easy appetizer is crab balls.
I like making deviled eggs as an easy appetizer.
My favorite appetizer is a beef cheese ball I make. But the pesto -goat-cheese -torta recipe , looks so good I want to try it right away!! God bless !
Queso dip and tortilla chips
I LIKE RANCH DIP WITH CRACKERS
stuffed baked potatoes
Sausage and cream cheese cresant rolls.
That would have to be homemade hummus with pita bread. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
My favorite appetizer recipe is nacho beef cheese dip. Very simple, cheddar cheese, rotel, ground beef. Cook the ground beef, mix ingredients till thoroughly heated. Dip in corn chips. So very tasty.
Deviled eggs with pickle relish mixed in for extra zip. If weather isn’t too hot so it’s safe to bless all
Cheese and crackers.
I love the little utensils. They are easy to use and do not get in the way. The recipe sounds delicious and it a must try. The color of the utensils goes with almost everything in the kitchen so they will not be out of place.
Cheese and crackers or veggies and dip.
Deviled eggs are my go to, second would be different varieties of stuffed mushrooms
I love guacamole.
MY FAVORITE IS SPANISH AND ARCHICOLES CREAMED I LOVE!!!
Chips & Salsa
Buffalo chicken on tortilla chips, or on a spoon.
My favorite east appetizer is Deviled Eggs.
I love to make velveeta and salsa melted in the microwave.
Hummus and veggies is my favorite easy appetizer.
My favorite is provolone cheese, sliced pepperoni and wheat thin crackers.
I love spinach and kale puffs with feta cheese
A vegetable tray with Celery, Olives, Pickles, Grape Tomatoes, and Broccoli.
deviled eggs
deviled eggs!
garlic bread cubes warm out of the oven — pigs in a blanket at the same time served along with cheese of your choice such as a sharp cheddar or blue cheese or both for choice
I like deviled eggs.
Seems like every time we have a celebration we try a new dip recipe, throw out some cheese and crackers, olives and grapes and a plate of deviled eggs. Oh, and we ALWAYS have to have jello jigglers!
That sounds absolutely delicious, i have got to try this out sometime soon!
My favorite quick appetizer/ party dish is a taco dip
Its two 8oz of cream cheese spread on a pan, you top that with already cooked meat of your choice, with added taco seasoning, top that with a can of rotel (drained) and top with some shredded Mexican cheese, throw it in the oven at around 375 just for around 10 or so minutes, until the cheese is melted, serve with some doritos and voila!! Its super yummy, so quick and easy the kids can help make it. And you can also serve it as a main dish here and there, because it’s actually quite filling.
Cheese and crackers!
My favorite appetizer is meatballs in marinara with toothpicks.
deviled eggs – easy peasy
I love to make friend squash as an app.
Spinach goat cheese dip. Cut spinach, goat cheese (plain) and cream cheese mixed together , bake until brown and serve ! Super yummy!
Deviled Eggs. Super easy to make and they always seem to disappear!
My favorite easy recipe for an appetizer is cheese fries. I send a potato through a slicer first, fill up a pot with Wesson and fry the potato. Then I put the done fries under a hat lamp sprinkle with three blend cheese and bacon bits. when it looks done, viola–serve.
i have to go with caprese salad on a stick. so simple.
Cheesy meatballs.
My fave is ham, with cream cheese, slice of dill pickle rolled up.
My favorite is tortilla chips with cheddar cheese, steak, chicken, and scallions, broiled for about 5 minutes and served with sour cream and salsa. They disappear very quickly.
My favorite easy appetizer is grape tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil in a toothpick, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
I like buffalo chicken dip.
Cheese and crackers are supper easy in a pinch.
My favorite appetizer is buffalo chicken dip, so easy and quick!
love sweet and sour meatballs as an appetizer.
I love buffalo chicken dip.
My favorite easy appetizer is Bruschetta!
I like deviled eggs
My favorite and easiest appetizer to make is pigs in a blanket…Yum yum… Served with a little bit of ketchup and mustard, they are way more than just pigs in a blanket…The sweet taste as those warm, snuggled piggies enter my mouth is just an explosion of flavor, delight, and wonder….I feel like I don’t have enough taste buds to fully embrace the tiny wiener wrapped up in a toasty biscuit… For added excitement, sometimes I soak the pigs in some bbq sauce before sending them off to get roasted. Easy and delicious all in one.
My favorite easy appetizer Is taking a can of chili & putting velvetta cheese in it & microwaving it & eating with tortilla chips. Thanks for the giveaway.
Chips and dip
Layer cream cheese, no-bean chili, and shredded Mexican blend cheese and bake until bubbling.
I love to mix up a quick cheddar bacon dip!
Too salty for me, made it. Have to say the family Loved it !
Bruschetta is my all-time fave! I like playing around with the toppings at times sticking with the traditional tomato/olive/basil/garlic formula. At other times I enjoy being more adventurous and using ingredients like prosciutto & parmigiano amongst others.
chips and dip
my favorite easy appetizer is spinach dip with a good bread bowl
I love bruschetta
My fav easy app is simply a veggie platter with ranch dip.
My favorite easy appetizer is pizza rolls. My daughter loves them so I always make sure to have some on hand when she is home.
Homemade salsa and chips is my favorite.
Bruschetta topped with tomatoes and Basil
My easy appetizer is little smoky’s in spaghetti sauce!
stuffed mushrooms
Cheese and Crackers. Best appetizer ever. And it’s inexpensive!
Summer sausage, sharp cheddar and Rosemary Triscuits
A wonderful interesting life
I love this French onion dip. Just mix together some sour crème and dry onion soup mix, let set in the frig for a little while and then use with chips or fresh veggies. Thanks for having this contest.
Ham and Cheese rollups are easy to make and delicious!
Pigs in a Blanket is my favorite easy appetizer.
Thank You for the giveaway… we make Stuffed Cherry Peppers i.e. salami around cubes of aged provolone
Thank you!!