BANANA TREE INFORMATION RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Remove dough from can in 1 long roll; do not unroll or separate. Cut roll into 16 slices.
• On ungreased cookie sheet, place slices cut side down to form tree. Start by placing 1 slice for top; arrange 2 slices just below, with sides touching. Continue arranging a row of 3 slices, then a row of 4 slices, ending with a row of 5 slices. Use remaining slice for tree trunk.
• Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute; carefully loosen from cookie sheet with spatula, and slide onto cooling rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
• Place tree on serving platter or tray. In small bowl, mix cream cheese spread and milk until smooth. Spread mixture over baked tree.
• Cut strips from red bell pepper for garland; chop any remaining red pepper. With small star-shaped canapé cutter, cut star from yellow bell pepper; chop remaining yellow pepper. Decorate tree with bell peppers, broccoli, carrots and cucumber. Serve immediately, or cover loosely and refrigerate up to 24 hours before serving.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough on work surface. Press into 12x9-inch rectangle. If using crescent roll dough, firmly press perforations to seal. With pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut into 8 rows by 4 rows to make 32 squares.
• Cut Parmesan in 3 equally-sized pieces. Reserve 1 piece for grating. Cut remaining 2 pieces in 16 cubes each. Top each piece of crescent dough with 1 of the cubes of cheese, then roll dough into small ball around cheese; place seam side down on cookie sheet.
• Place 10 balls in a single layer, clustered and touching together to form a round disk shape. Continue with a formation of 8 balls, then 6 balls, then 4 balls, 3 balls and finally a single ball. There will be a total of 6 disks (including the single ball), which will form the layers of the tree after baking.
• Bake 14 to 17 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes. Meanwhile, finely grate remaining piece of cheese.
• Use large, flat spatula to transfer largest disk to serving platter or cake plate. Brush with pesto, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the remaining Parmesan cheese, then top with next largest disk. Brush with pesto and sprinkle with 1 more tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Continue with remaining disks, ending with single ball. Brush any remaining pesto over tree. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan over tree. Serve with additional pesto, if desired.