Smokey White Bean Spread With Roasted Garlic And Basil Food

ROASTED GARLIC AND CANNELLINI BEAN DIP RECIPE

Steps:

• Roast your garlic by trimming the top of the bulb, drizzle it with olive oil, and roast in a 400˚F oven for 30 minutes. Squeeze out roasted garlic cloves.No time to roast your garlic? Substitute 3-4 cloves of grated garlic. Raw garlic is stronger flavored than roasted garlic, so only use 3-4 cloves to start. You can add more after tasting if you want more garlic flavor.
• Add all the ingredients to a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth. If the dip is too thick, add water or olive oil a teaspoon at a time and puree until it reaches the consistency you desire.
• Transfer the white bean dip to a serving bowl. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with reserved rosemary, and serve with vegetables, crackers, or crostini. This dip is also delicious as a sandwich spread. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

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.

WHITE BEANS WITH CARROTS AND ROASTED GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Stir in the beans and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat so the liquid simmers. Add the rosemary and thyme. Simmer for 40 minutes.
• Stir the carrots and roasted garlic cloves into the beans and continue cooking until the beans and the carrots are soft, about 30 minutes longer. Drain the beans and remove the herb stems. Season with the salt and pepper to taste. Divide among 4 plates and serve.