When you bring focaccia trees to the table, it’s immediately a celebration. Just the name evokes the Christmas atmosphere, the scents of the season, and that touch of creativity that makes every dish a little masterpiece.
There’s nothing better than a festive table with friends and family gathered, the lights softly illuminating, and at the center of the scene, these charming focaccia trees decorated with green pesto, vibrant red cherry tomatoes, and intense black olives. They are a delight for the eyes and the palate, little Christmas trees to be savored, perfect for starting a holiday meal either as an appetizer or a starter.
This dish is not only beautiful to look at but also surprisingly simple to make. The soft and fragrant base of the focaccia transforms with a few gestures into a canvas ready to welcome the colors and flavors of pesto, cherry tomatoes, and black olives: the pesto becomes a bright green blanket reminiscent of fir branches, the red cherry tomatoes and black olives turn into small Christmas decorations. The result is irresistible not only for those who taste them but also for those who make them.
This recipe is an original and tasty way to celebrate Christmas, with style and simplicity. Perfect to amaze your guests, ideal to prepare in company, and wonderful to see and savor.
Don’t miss these other delicious Christmas starters:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 8 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas
- Energy 233.94 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 22.96 (g) of which sugars 1.74 (g)
- Proteins 4.45 (g)
- Fat 13.32 (g) of which saturated 1.62 (g)of which unsaturated 5.90 (g)
- Fibers 2.87 (g)
- Sodium 418.23 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 2 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for Focaccia Trees with Pesto
- 1 package ready-made focaccia base
- 8 tablespoons pesto
- 8 cherry tomatoes
- 6 black olives
- 2 pinches salt
- 1 tablespoon basil
- as needed water
- as needed extra virgin olive oil
- 8 stick pretzels
Preparation of Focaccia Trees with Pesto
Roll out the focaccia base on your work surface and brush the surface with a little water and oil. Then, season with a pinch of salt and bake in a fan oven at 392°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
Remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Meanwhile, wash and dry the tomatoes, cut them in half, and lightly salt them. Also, cut the pitted black olives into rings.
Now divide the focaccia into 8 wedges and insert a pretzel stick at the base of each one to form the tree trunks.
Then spread the pesto over the surface of the wedges and decorate some with cherry tomatoes and the others with olive rings. Finish with dried basil.
Storing Focaccia Trees
The focaccia trees can be stored for one day in an airtight container.
Tip
You can use ready-made pesto or make your own by following this easy and quick recipe to make pesto at home: Basil Pesto with a Blender
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FAQ
Can I use other decorations besides cherry tomatoes and black olives?
To vary, you can add diced red or yellow bell peppers, chopped nuts or almonds, or a few sprigs of fresh rosemary to give the trees a more “natural” look.
What alternatives to pesto can I use?
You can substitute pesto with a green olive cream. Even a bit of ricotta flavored with fresh herbs can be a great alternative.
