Pesto Bruschetta Spread

Lately, we’ve fallen into a lovely routine of family dinners after church.  Even though all of our kids still live at home, the oldest two are busy with work, school and activities.  We often don’t see our daughter for several days, other than passing each other at breakfast.  And our son, who is a senior in high school is often working or busy with other things.

Family dinners are much rarer than they used to be.

But lately, we’ve all been home for Sunday lunch after church.  Most weeks, our daughter’s boyfriend joins us too.  I love having everyone gathered around the table, catching up with each other.

Last Sunday, I decided to try out a new slow cooker recipe for an Italian style chicken dish (recipe coming soon).  This Pesto Bruschetta Spread seemed the perfect thing to serve with it.

Everyone loved it!  It’s creamy and full of flavor, thanks to the PHILADELPHIA Creamy Pesto Cooking Creme.  The tomatoes on top were a perfect pairing with the pesto and cheese.  They’re big enough that the picky people could dip around them, leaving more for the tomato lovers.

This was quick to make, which made it doable for after church.  Here’s what you’ll need:  

I did alter the recipe a bit.  I didn’t have any shallots, so I used onion.  I also used Italian blend shredded cheese instead of mozzarella and parmesan.  I have to say though, the PHILLY Cooking Creme is a new favorite ingredient.  I’ve made quite a few different things with it.  It’s fantastic in pasta, makes great crab cakes and we really enjoyed this appetizer too.

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Pesto Bruschetta Spread

Ingredients

• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/4 cup onion minced
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• 1 tub 10 oz PHILADELPHIA Cooking Creme
• 1/2 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
• 18 slices French or Italian bread toasted

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in small pan.
• Add onion and garlic and cook over medium heat till onion is soft.
• Add grape tomatoes. Cook and stir several minutes until tomato skins start bursting.
• Stir together Cooking Creme and Italian blend cheese in a microwaveable dish.
• Heat on high for 2 minutes or until hot.
• Stir Cooking Creme mixture. Top with tomatoes and onions.
• Spread with toast.

You can find more recipes for PHILADELPHIA  Cooking Creme on the Fresh Family Favorite site.

Disclosure: I am one of 9 bloggers selected by Kraft Foods to participate in the Philadelphia Cooking Creme recipe program. While I have been compensated for my time, my opinions are my own, and I have not been paid to post positive comments.