Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Tuscan White Bean Dip


A favorite Italian restaurant of mine called Paesanos serves this dip as a starter before your meal along with bread and olives. I'm usually so busy gorging myself on the dip that by the time my meal comes I'm not even hungry. I have no idea what their recipe is so I had to invent my own. I have to say it comes pretty darn close. It is luscious, creamy and delicious.


Tuscan White Bean Dip:
1 15 oz Cannellini white beans
1/4 cup garlic, rosemary and red chili infused olive oil 
(you can make this by following the recipe here or buy an infused oil at the store)
1 tablespoon sundried tomatoes
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
Drain beans and place them in a food processor. Add in the sundried tomatoes,infused olive oil, salt & pepper and puree. 


*** I served this with Naan bread, which I cut into 1 inch strips, brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with smoked paprika, black sesame seeds, cumin seeds, caraway seeds and broiled in the oven until golden brown. For a gluten free alternative, you could serve it with sliced veggies. ***

Note: I use generous amount of olive oil to get a smooth consistency in my dip. If you like your dip to be bit more chunky, just scale back on the oil.


Enjoy!

28 comments:

  1. this sounds awesome. what a great starter to a meal, or even a meal on its own. yum!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy, I agree. I've made this my meal on many of occasions:) Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  2. *drool* You had me at "sun-dried tomatoes". Also, FABULOUS photo! Your posts always make me smile. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mary. I made your pinto bean recipe. They were delish!

      Delete
  3. Simple and delicious! What a great summer appetizer. And because it's full of beans it's practically health food :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Renee. Since beans are good for you, I don't feel so bad when I eat the whole bowl:)

      Delete
  4. Mmmm...the same thing happens to me at Paesano's! Their complimentary white bean dip is to die for, and this looks like a spot-on at-home version!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I could track down Paesano's recipe. I think this recipe is pretty close.

      Delete
  5. Yum...I like the sound of your naan recipe too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Cat. I usually use Pita Bread, but I thought I would mix it up a little:)

      Delete
  6. Terrific looking bean dip! I always do the same thing- gorge on apps and then have no appetite for my dinner. Good thing I like leftovers- many lunches are composed of the previous night's dinner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Shelley. I happen to like leftovers as well. That way I don't have to worry about to what to eat for lunch the next day. Thanks for dropping by.

      Delete
  7. Tapas-Happy hour-Dinner If you serve me a plate of this I promise all of those titles will fall into one category Delicious! Your photo is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I really appreciate that. It warms up nicely in the microwave if you have leftovers, which I never do because I eat the whole bowl in one night:)

      Delete
  8. Delicious! I think this would make a great lunch menu addition for my family. I'm always looking for healthy foods that my kids can eat "snack style." They love to eat foods that you dip so your white bean dip and bread idea is perfect! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Michelle. It makes a great snack. I usually eat it in the afternoon to hold me over until dinner. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  9. I love little plates of nibbles like this as a meal of it's own. I'm going to whip this up! Yum!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too! Thanks for dropping by. Hope you have a fantastic Memorial Day weekend:)

      Delete
  10. Yum! This looks absolutely delicious. I may even try it this weekend. Happy Memorial Day to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I appreciate the comment. Hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day as well.

      Delete
  11. I've actually been to Paesano's & loved it! Maybe that should be where we meet up next. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds good! Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend:)

      Delete
  12. I'm a disaster at dining out because I always inhale the bread starters...and would definitely do the same with this one!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for stopping by Sarah. Love your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yum, perfect for today's picnic.

    Peaceful day to you,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sharon. It would make a nice addition for picnic outing since there is no mayo in it. Hope you have a fabulous day as well. Thank you so much for the comment.

      Delete
  15. Hey Steph!

    Got your message. So glad to see the progess! I had a chance to look at it and it look really good. I need to spend more time analyzing it. :)

    Initial thought is SA Foodies United why and how? I know you say to make a difference in the community, but what are some of your practical ideas or possible examples? I think a Meetup of potential participants would be great to get it all up and running, plus to share ideas. Not sure if the Food Bank would be a good place to have an initial interest meeting, but working with the Food Bank is a must! :)

    I hope this helps to begin with. I sent you an email but it didn't go through. Said it was delayed, but was never sent or recieved. Would you mind sending me an email at wesocraig@gmail.com, so I can respond to you with the info about the discussion group I'm starting June 13th? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh lawd this looks good. Believe it or not, I'm phasing out of my hummus obsession and this looks like a delish summer replaccement :) now I'm on the hunt for some rosemary & chili olive oil....

    ReplyDelete