Italian White Bean Dip Recipes

Steps:

• For the beans: Put the beans in a bowl and cover with cold water by 3 inches above the top of the beans. Let soak overnight.
• Strain the beans, discarding the soaking liquid. Place them in a pot and cover with water by 3 inches above the top of the beans. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and let cook until the beans are tender, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes. Strain and let cool.
• For the dip: Bring 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon olive oil to a boil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion and a pinch of salt and simmer until the water reduces down and the onions become translucent and tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the beans and heat until they become warm.
• Meanwhile, add the Worcestershire, vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, hot sauce, 4 tablespoons olive oil and some salt to a food processor. Transfer the bean mixture to the food processor. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and another pinch of salt. Puree the beans until smooth. Add more oil if needed for taste or texture. Taste for seasoning. Serve with vegetables or crackers.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the beans, garlic, lemon juice, 1/3 cup olive oil, and parsley in the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the bean puree to a small bowl.
• Cut each pita in half and then into 8 wedges. Arrange the pita wedges on a large baking sheet. Pour the remaining oil over the pitas. Toss and spread out the wedges evenly. Sprinkle with the oregano, salt, and pepper. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until toasted and golden in color.
• Serve the pita toasts warm or at room temperature alongside the bean puree.

Steps:

• Roast the garlic: Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Peel off most of the garlic's outermost skin but leave the whole head intact. Trim about 1/4 inch off the top of the garlic to expose the cloves. Place the garlic on a large piece of aluminum foil, then drizzle 1 teaspoon olive oil over the exposed cloves and close the foil into a pouch. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until you can pierce the center of the head with a knife. Let cool slightly.
• Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the bowl of a food processor. Add the white beans, 4 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, rosemary leaves, black pepper, cayenne (if using), hot water and salt. Purée until smooth, then taste for salt, pepper, rosemary and lemon juice. Adjust as necessary. Transfer to a serving dish.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the remaining rosemary sprig - it should sizzle. Cook until brown and crisp, flipping once, about 1 minute per side, then transfer to the top of the dip as a garnish. Pour or spoon the remaining olive oil, now infused with rosemary, over the top of the dip. Sprinkle with cayenne for a little additional heat.