Tuscan Bean And Olive Spread Food

TUSCAN BEAN DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Lay bread on a baking sheet. Rub each slice with a clove of garlic and sprinkle with a pinch of salt; reserve garlic clove. Toast in oven until golden, about 8 minutes.
• Chop all garlic cloves. Cook garlic in the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat, stirring, until it is golden, about 3 minutes. Pull skillet from heat; stir in rosemary and red pepper and cool slightly.
• Put beans, the 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and all but 1 teaspoon of the rosemary oil in a food processor and process until smooth. Scrape puree into a serving bowl and drizzle with reserved rosemary oil. Serve with toasted baguette and, if desired, raw vegetables.

WHITE BEAN DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400.
• Use a sharp knife and trim the top 1/3" - 1/2" of the head of garlic. Place the garlic in a small piece of tin foil (use the trimmed pieces as well) Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Seal up the tin foil and roast for 30 minutes or until garlic is very tender. Remove from oven and let the garlic rest until it's cool enough to handle. Remove the garlic cloves from the peel and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a small pan over medium high heat until the oil starts to moire and is hot but not smoking. Turn off the heat and immediately add the chopped herbs. The oil will sizzle because of the freshness of the herbs. Swirl the pan so that the herbs are completely coated with the hot oil and set aside.
• Drain the cannellini beans in a mesh strainer, but DO NOT RINSE THE BEANS. Discard the bean liquid. Transfer the beans to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse several times until the beans resemble a chunky dip.
• To the bean mixture, add the oil and herb mixture, kosher salt, and lemon juice. Pulse 4 to 5 times to incorporate the ingredients. Add the garlic and lemon juice and pulse to puree the roasted garlic.
• Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and pulse 2-3 times to combine.
• Transfer the white bean dip to a serving bowl. Drizzle a little olive oil over the top of the dip and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Serve with pita chips or fresh crudite.

TUSCAN WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Cook 2 smashed garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes in olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, 1 minute. Add 1 chopped plum tomato and 1 sprig rosemary and cook 2 minutes. Add 2 cans drained, rinsed cannellini beans and cook, partially smashing the beans with a spoon, 5 minutes. Remove the rosemary. Stir in 1/2 cup water and some chopped parsley; season with salt. Sprinkle with parmesan and broil until golden. Drizzle with olive oil.

CLAUDIA LAMASCOLO

Steps:

• Add the beans, garlic, spices you're using, any additions you like, olive oil and parsley into the food processor and pulse to the desired way you prefer your dips.
• I like mine smooth and added a few beans on the top.
• Season this to taste, add the salt, pepper and cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (if using) as desired in flavor.
• Serve warmed for 30 seconds in the microwave for best results or baked at 400 degrees with shredded cheeses.
• Drizzle top with more olive oil before serving.
• Serve with Tuscan Garlic Bread, Stick Vegetables, Pita Points or Crackers or Tortilla Chips.
• Store any leftovers in the refrigerator and warm 20 to 30 seconds in the microwave for best results and flavors.

TUSCAN WHITE BEANS WITH OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Sort the beans to make sure they are free of stones or other debris. Rinse, then cover with cold water, refrigerate, and soak overnight. The next day, drain the beans, place them in a large pot, and cover with the stock. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer the beans for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until they are tender. Add 1 teaspoon of salt in the final 15 minutes of cooking. The addition of salt earlier in the cooking process will result in tough beans.
• Remove the beans with a slotted spoon and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add all the remaining seasoning and other ingredients to the warm beans in the bowl and toss together. Adjust the salt and add freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve warm or chilled.

TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SPREAD

Steps:

• Combine beans, yogurt, Italian seasoning, and garlic in a blender and puree until smooth.
• Add remaining ingredients and pulse until combined. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
• Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. Serve at room temperature with toasted baguette or water crackers.