Lighter Creamy White Bean Dip Recipes

Steps:

• To make the bean dip: Combine the beans, lemon rind, garlic cloves, chiles and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a 3- to 4-quart pot and add enough water to cover the beans by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the beans are very tender. Discard the lemon rind and chile pepper and drain.
• Combine the beans, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor. Season with a couple pinches of kosher salt and black pepper. Puree until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. While the motor is running, drizzle in the olive oil. Adjust the seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper, as needed. Reserve in the refrigerator.
• To serve, schmear some white bean dip on a plate. Pile on the Charred Baby Bell Peppers, squeeze on some of the charred lemon and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Season with black pepper and garnish with a sprinkle of flakey salt.
• Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat until smoking. Add the olive oil and swirl it around to coat. When the oil is hot and shimmery, add the peppers and cook, tossing occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes. Place the lemon cut-side down in the skillet and char simultaneously until deeply browned.

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large high-sided saute pan over low heat. Add the garlic and cook until just starting to soften, about 1 minute. Increase the heat to medium; add the escarole and cook until just wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the white wine, 1/2 cup water, the cannellini beans (with the liquid from the can) and a large pinch of salt. Bring to a strong boil over medium-high heat and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the rosemary and cook until there is only a light coating of liquid at the bottom of the pan, about 5 more minutes. Turn off the heat and let cool at least 15 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to a food processor and blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed (the mixture should look similar to the texture of spinach dip). Spoon into a medium bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely chilled, about 2 hours.
• Before serving, season the dip with lemon juice and more salt to taste. Drizzle with olive oil. Serve with crackers and/or crudites.

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the beans, roasted garlic, olive oil and lemon juice and process until smooth. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley leaves and serve with your favorite vegetables.