Easiest Appetizer: Olive & Tomato Squares

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This was a last minute thought when a few unexpected guests dropped by for some holiday cheer (don't you just love when that happens?).

The original recipe from Gourmet calls for sun dried tomatoes.

I don't like sun dried tomatoes, never did.

I buy these very good semi dried tomatoes in a jar from Italy packed in oil, so when a recipe calls for those shriveled up, bitter, so called sun dried "tomatoes", I substitute these pomodoraccio instead.



I had Pepperidge Farm white bread in the freezer, but if you are planning to make this recipe (with more than 2 hour's notice!), then I would suggest buying a nice pullman loaf, or very high quality white bread.

The better the bread, the better this recipe will be.
But even with the store bought packaged stuff, this still managed to come out GREAT.

Olive & Tomato Squares: (makes 12 if you cut them on the diagonal, makes 24 if you are using larger slices and quartering the slices)

1/4 cup of store bought basil pesto
6 slices of good quality white bread, crusts removed
1/4 cup of roasted tomatoes (or sun dried tomatoes REhydrated in water for 5 minutes), chopped
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, slivered
fresh chopped parsley

With a flat knife, spread a layer of basil pesto on each crustless slice of bread.
Cut in halves or quarters, depending on the size of the bread.



Arrange pesto slices on a baking sheet and bake at 400F for 8 minutes,so bottom of toasts are crisp.

While toasts are baking, mix chopped dried tomatoes and olives in a bowl.
*if you are using sun dried tomatoes, make sure you have plumped them up in some water first.

Remove toasts from oven and spoon a dollup of tomato olive mixture on top.
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve!

How could something so simple be so good?

It just is.

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Comments

Cate O'Malley said…
Love party food, and this looks like the perfect thing to pop in your mouth - delish!
Natanya said…
I love having a collection of last minute recipes for when people "drop by". I think I'd have almost all of this in my fridge/freezer. It might also be really good with the thin sliced Pepperidge Farm bread they sell at my market. Very tasty.
Ciao Chow Linda said…
I don't think I've ever seen those "pomodoraccio" They look terrific, and so do the appetizers you created.
kat said…
I bet those would be a big hit at a party tomorrow.
The JR said…
They look good. But let me tell ya, I could finish off the rest of the container of calamata olives by myself.
Jen_from_NJ said…
Sun-dried tomatoes aren't really my thing either. I'll have to try the pomodoraccio. They look delish. What a great appetizer you pulled together!
Foodiewife said…
I think pesto makes anything taste fabulous. You don't like sun-dried tomatoes? (Hangs heads). I don't know which ones you've tried, but I adore them. Still, the ones you describe are new to me. I'll have to keep an eagle eye out for those.
These are perfect for my Friday Happy Hour's with hubs! Jeez, being on vacation, I've had a few too many of those every day. Detox!
another winner - you rule!
Dana said…
Have you ever tried the sun-dried tomatoes that are plump? They are not packed in oil but they don't need to be rehydrated. Anyway, I love how inventive you are in "clutch" situations.
The Food Hunter said…
What a great last minute appetizer. Happy New Year to you.
You don't like sun dried tomatoes? Did you ever try TJ's sliced ones in the jar? They have a really good flavor. Thats ok, I'm not too crazy about some anchovies. I'll have to check out your tomatoes, never heard of them. Have a Happy Happy New Year!!!!!
These appetizers are so festive. I love the red and green. Sorry you don't like sun-dried tomatoes...I love the dried ones re-hydrated. I don't like the minced ones in jars.

One of our Christmas presents from our northern brother-in-law was a calendar of your beautiful area compliments of Lois Schneider Realty. Lois and my late mother-in-law were great friends and we were glad to see Karen had joined her in business. Meakin got homesick for Summitt when he saw the pictures.

Thanks for a great year of recipes and fun posts. I hope you have a healthy and happy new year.
Sam
Mother Rimmy said…
How can you miss with pesto, olives and sun dried tomato! Yum! Happy New Year!
Wendy said…
Yummy Stacy this looks so good! BTW, you are the first foodie type person, besides myself, who admits they do not like sun dried tomatoes!