Savory Basil Slice-and-bakes

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1/4 cup prepared pesto sauce
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaf, finely chopped
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or 1 cup chopped almonds or 1 cup chopped pecans or 1 cup whole pine nuts
• kosher salt

Recipe

• 1 sift together flour, peppers and salt. stir in cheese.
• 2 combine butter and cream cheese; using a mixer, beat until well combined. add pesto and mix well.
• 3 add flour mixture, basil leaves and nuts. mix well.
• 4 divide dough in half and roll into logs 1 1/2 inches in diameter. roll each log in kosher salt. wrap in waxed paper and chill until firm. if baking later, freeze shaped dough and defrost slightly before baking.
• 5 preheat oven to 350°f
• 6 slice dough 1/4-inch thick. place on ungreased cookie sheets. bake 18 to 20 minutes, until edges are golden. transfer to a wire rack to cool. store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to a week, or freeze up to a month.