Description
Provoleta is a delicious Argentine appetizer featuring a thick slice of provolone cheese seasoned with Italian herbs, topped with pesto and blistered grape tomatoes, then baked and broiled to perfection. Served with crispy crostini, it makes a perfect warm and savory starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Seasoning
- 1 1/2 inch thick slice provolone cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Toppings
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 1/4 cup grape tomatoes
For Serving
- Crostini
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it is hot enough for melting the cheese evenly and blistering the tomatoes perfectly.
- Prepare Cheese: Place the thick slice of provolone cheese into a 6-inch oven-safe skillet. Sprinkle the cheese evenly with the Italian seasoning to infuse it with herbal flavor.
- Add Toppings: Spoon the pesto over the top of the cheese, spreading it gently. Next, scatter the grape tomatoes on the cheese for sweetness and color.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and the grape tomatoes begin to blister, releasing their juices.
- Broil: Switch your oven to broil and broil the skillet for 1 to 2 minutes to brown and bubble the top layer of the cheese, creating a delightful crust.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and serve the provoleta immediately with crunchy crostini for dipping into the warm, melted cheese and pesto mixture.
Notes
- Use a thick slice of provolone cheese to ensure it melts nicely without running too much.
- If you don’t have pesto, a drizzle of good quality olive oil or chimichurri sauce makes a good substitute.
- This dish is best served hot right out of the oven to enjoy the melted cheese texture.
- You can use cherry tomatoes in place of grape tomatoes if preferred.
- Be cautious under the broiler to prevent burning the cheese.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Argentine
Keywords: Provoleta, Argentine appetizer, provolone cheese, baked cheese, pesto, grape tomatoes, crostini, melted cheese dish
