Tag: white bean dip

  • Thanksgiving Starters, Sides & Desserts

    Thanksgiving Starters, Sides & Desserts

    Thanksgiving is one week away. Is your Thanksgiving dinner menu planned? If you are still searching for starters, sides and desserts, we have some great recipes for you.  In fact, they are not only delicious dishes, but they are healthy alternatives to traditional Thanksgiving favorites.

    Check out some of our favorite recipes below:

    A wonderful, light and delicious appetizer is our White Bean Dip with Seasoned Pita Chips.

    white bean dip

    And, what better way to start your dinner than with a savory Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Sage Croutons?

    butternut squash with header

    Looking for a festive salad? Try our Harvest Salad with Arugula, Roasted Butternut Squash and Quinoa.

    harvest salad square

    We have some great sides to accompany your turkey or veggie loaf, including our Balsamic Brussel Sprouts.

    BrusselSproutsPicRoasted Sweet Potatoes.

    HowToRoastVeggies

    And, our Smashed Potatoes.

    smashed pot banner

    For dessert, we try our Apple Raisin Clafoutis.

    apple cake slice square

    And, our Maple Sweet Potato Pie!

    sweet potato pie

    We hope some of our delicious starters, sides and desserts make it onto your table this holiday season!

  • White Bean Dip with Seasoned Pita Chips

    White Bean Dip with Seasoned Pita Chips

    white bean dipThis white bean dip recipe that I’m sharing with you is a modified version of a dip that I found in a Giada DeLaurentiis cookbook (Everyday Italian) years ago.  It’s become our hummus alternative.  In fact, it’s a family favorite and frequently graces our events (right alongside my husband’s famous guacamole!).  And, it very may well be on the menu this Memorial Day weekend!

    It’s really a cinch to make.  With only a few ingredients, and a food processor on hand, you will have a delicious homemade white bean dip in no time!

    I serve my dip with seasoned pita chips — a homemade take on a store-bought favorite.  This too requires very little effort and, I bet you have most, if not all, of the ingredients in your pantry.  Once you make homemade pita chips, you will turn your nose up at the store-bought kind! The pita chip recipe follows as well.

    As with most of our recipes, this one can be modified and adapted to suit your needs and tastes.  You will also notice that we generally “season to taste” which allows you to control the amount of spices, specifically salt.

    Enjoy!

    white bean fp upcloseWhite Bean Dip

    Yields approximately 2 cups of dip.

    2, 15 ounce cans of white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
    1/2 cup of olive oil
    1/2 cup of parsley
    1 clove of garlic, crushed
    1 teaspoon of salt
    1/8 teaspoon of pepper
    4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

    Add beans, olive oil, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper and juice of one lemon to the bowl of a food processor.  Pulse until combined and creamy.

    Serve with homemade pita chips (recipe follows) or fresh veggies.

    pita  upclose
    Homemade Seasoned Pita Chips

    four large, whole wheat pita rounds, cut into eighths
    olive oil
    oregano
    garlic powder
    salt
    pepper

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

    Arrange pita on an oiled sheet pan (you might need two depending on the size of your pan).  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

    Bake for 10-15 minutes until toasted and lightly browned.

    Pita will harden as it sits.