RECIPES

INGREDIENTS:

Cheese Mix:
8 ounces Real California cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded Real California Mozzarella cheese
Roasted Grape Tomatoes:
1 pint grape tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, café grind
Basil Pesto:
1/3 cup raw pine nuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, or pepitas
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup grated Real California Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Garnish:
1/4 cup fresh basil chiffonade (optional)

PER ORDER:

Makes 4

DIRECTIONS:

To prepare Cheese Mix: In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and mozzarella. Keep refrigerated.

To prepare Roasted Grape Tomatoes: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, salt, and pepper, tossing until tomatoes are fully coated. Transfer to a paper-lined sheet pan and roast until tomato blister and begin to brown, 10-12 minutes. Cool to room temperature.

To prepare Basil Pesto: Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange nuts on a paper-lined sheet pan and toast until fragrant, 3-5 minutes. Cool to room temperature.

Combine nuts, basil, cheese, lemon juice, garlic, and salt in a food processor. With processor on, slowly add olive oil and process to puree. Transfer to a storage container and hold at room temperature.

To cook and plate, preheat oven to 350°F. Divide Cheese Mix among 4 ovenproof vessels. Add tomatoes, dividing them evenly and lightly mixing with Cheese Mix. Place vessels on a sheet pan and bake until bubbly and lightly browned, 8-10 minutes.

Drizzle 1 tablespoon Basil Pesto on top, or more to taste. Top with basil chiffonade, if using, and serve with crostini, warm bread, breadsticks, or crackers.

Chef Notes:

Make sure cream cheese is softened for ease of mixing and portioning.

Do not overprocess pesto or it will begin to discolor.

Recipe courtesy of Justin Fields, Bonefish Grill / BBI International, for the California Milk Advisory Board.

Browse By This Recipe's Dairy Ingredients:

To create a better experience for you, this website uses cookies and similar technologies to understand how you use our website,  To learn more about the technologies used and your choices, please read our Cookie Notice.   By clicking “Accept” you consent to our use of cookies.

Contact Us

Contact Us
Would you like to receive our email newsletters that provide exclusive information to new recipes, contest information, and more?
California Milk Advisory Board
2156 W. Grant Line Road, Suite 100
Tracy, CA 95377
(209) 883-6455