White Bean Dip For A Crowd Moosewood Inspired Recipes

EASY WHITE BEAN DIP

Steps:

• To make this you can use a blender, Vitamix, or food processor.
• If you have not rinsed and drained your beans, do so before you start.
• Combine all of your ingredients in your food processor (or whatever you are using to make this in). I suggest waiting to add any seasonings until you are able to taste the progress of your dip.
• Process your dip for 30 seconds, stopping to taste the progress and scrape the sides of the container. Season as needed at this point. Repeat this step until your dip is a smooth texture.
• Transfer to a serving bow, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, add any additional oil, lemon, or seasonings to the top as desired.

ROASTED GARLIC AND WHITE BEAN DIP WITH ROSEMARY

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.

QUICK WHITE BEAN DIP

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the beans, oil and garlic; cover and process until smooth. Add the basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper; cover and process until blended. Serve with pita chips. Refrigerate leftovers.

WHITE BEAN SOUP FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• Sort and wash beans according to package directions. Place in a 3 1/2-quart or larger slow cooker. Fill the cooker with water to capacity. Soak without turning on the cooker, 8 hours to overnight.
• Drain excess water and refill cooker with fresh water. Turn cooker to Low and cook until beans are soft, about 8 hours.
• Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium-low heat. Add onions and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and carrots begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add ham, tomatoes, and garlic and let simmer for another 5 minutes.
• Puree about 2/3 of the cooked beans in small batches in a blender or food processor, using the bean broth to help puree and adding extra water if needed. Add puree and remaining whole beans to the soup pot; add enough water to bring soup to desired thickness. Stir in parsley, thyme, celery salt, salt, and pepper. Simmer slowly, stirring occasionally, until soup is hot and all vegetables are soft, about 20 minutes.

WHITE BEAN SOUP WITH PASTA

Steps:

• Put a large saucepan of water on to boil.
• Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add mirepoix and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, crushed red pepper and ground pepper and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and their juices, broth and beans and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a lively simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in the boiling water for 1 minute less than the package directions. Drain.
• Stir spinach into the soup. Stir in the pasta just before serving. Serve topped with Parmesan.

WHITE BEAN DIP FOR A CROWD (MOOSEWOOD INSPIRED...)

Steps:

• Soak the beans overnight in plenty of water. Next day, drain and rinse them. Cook them for about 45 minutes in plenty of boiling water. (Do not salt your water -- makes beans tough). Take care not to overcook the beans, they should be cooked but not mushy. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• In a food processor (or a blender), puree the beans about 3-4 cups at a time, emptying each batch into a large mixing bowl as you go.
• Stir in the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and spices.
• Garnish with capers and/or olives if you like.