Simply Italiano - Day 1 of 5

Who doesn't enjoy some good Italian food??  The beautiful sauces, pastas, and the amazing seasoning combinations.   Mmmm, I'm making myself hungry just typing about it!  Italian is one of my all time favorite food groups...and DEFIANTLY a comfort food for me.  So I just wanted to share some of my favorite recipes that I got out of an extremely easy to follow cook book, " Incredibly Easy Italian".  It makes even the hardest of Italian dishes fast and easy to make.  Today we are going to start with our appetizer; So...grab your aprons and hold on to your chef hats!  We're gunna get cookin' up something good :)


Tomato Pesto Tart


Ingredients: 
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
1/2 cup prepared pesto
1 cup (4-ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 can (14.5-ounces) whole tomatoes, sliced
Non stick cooking spray


Directions: 
Unfold puff pastry on a floured surface.  Cut off and reserve 1/2 to 3/4 inch strips from each side.  Place pastry square on a baking shee sprayed with cooking spray.  Dampen edges of pastry square lightly with water.  Lay reserved strips of pastry over edges of pastry square, forming a shell with raised edges.  Press stripes light to seal.


Spread pesto evenly across bottom of pastry shell; sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese, tomato slices and remaining 1/2 cup cheese.


Bake in preheated 400 F oven for 17 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve immediately.




Makes 9 servings




Recipe from " Incredibly Easy Italian" book