When you bring focaccia trees to the table, it’s immediately festive. Just the name immediately evokes the Christmas atmosphere, the scents of the season, and that touch of creativity that makes every dish a small masterpiece.
There’s nothing better than a well-set table, friends and family gathered, lights that softly illuminate, 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 joy for both the eyes and the palate, little Christmas trees that you can enjoy, perfect to start a holiday lunch, either as an appetizer or as a starter.
This dish is not only beautiful to look at but also surprisingly easy 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 the pesto, cherry tomatoes, and black olives: the pesto becomes a green and bright blanket reminiscent of fir branches, the red cherry tomatoes and black olives turn into little Christmas decorations. The result is irresistible not only for those who taste them but also for those who prepare them.
This recipe is an original and tasty way to celebrate Christmas with style and simplicity. Perfect to impress your guests, ideal to prepare with company, and wonderful to see and taste.
Don’t miss these other delicious Christmas appetizers:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- 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 60 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-to-use 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 pretzel sticks
Preparation of Focaccia Trees with Pesto
Spread the focaccia base on the work surface and brush the surface with a little water and oil. Then, season with a pinch of salt and bake in a fan-assisted 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 to form the trunks of the trees.
Then, spread the wedges with pesto and decorate some with cherry tomatoes and the others with olive rings. Complete with dried basil.
Storage of Focaccia Trees
The focaccia trees can be kept for one day in an airtight container.
Suggestion
You can use store-bought pesto or make it yourself with this quick and easy homemade pesto recipe: Basil Pesto with a Blender
Related Recipes
Collection of Tasty and Scenic Christmas Appetizers: Delightful Ideas to Impress Your Guests
FAQ
Can I use decorations other than cherry tomatoes and black olives?
For variety, you can add red or yellow bell pepper cubes, crushed walnuts or almonds, or some fresh rosemary sprigs to give the trees a more “natural” look.
What alternatives to pesto can I use?
You can replace the pesto with a green olive spread. A little ricotta flavored with fresh herbs can also be a great alternative.
