Go To Recipe: Sarah Ferguson’s White Bean Dip
For me, Mother’s Day ends the season of indoor, “get out the china” kind of entertaining and marks the beginning of the casual, outdoor party season. From now until September, it’s all about getting together in friends’ and neighbors’ backyards, firing up the grill, and serving meals on paper plates. Stock up on the propane, bug spray and sunblock. Summer Party season – here we come!
My momtaught me to always bring something to a party. So even if it’s just a bunch of mom’s gathering for a couple of cocktails on my neighbor’s deck, I never come empty-handed. And in my neighborhood, those invitations can come quite last minute. As in it’s now 5 o’clock – want to come over at 6 for happy hour? The answer is ‘Yes!!” and I need to quickly whip something up. For those occasions, I make White Bean and Basil Dip. As long as I keep a can or two of cannellini beans in the cupboard and a basil plant growing outside, I have the ingredients I need to pull this recipe together lickety-split.
I have been making this recipe for years. I got it from Dining with the Duchess, a Weight Watchers cookbook published in 1998.
Sarah’s White Bean and Basil Dip is found on page 203. I have mine ear-marked.
Ingredients:
One 19-ounce can white beans, rinsed and drained (NuVal score of 57 for Goya)
1/3 cup coarsely chopped basil (NuVal score: 100)
3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil (NuVal score: 11)
1 large garlic clove, minced (NuVal score: 91)
1/2 teaspoon salt
In a blender or food processor, combine all the ingredients; puree. Let stand at room temperature, covered, until the flavors are blended, 2-3 hours.
If you look closely at my measuring, you will see that I fudged the amounts a bit. That’s because instead of a 19 ounce can of cannellini beans, I only had two 14.5 ounce cans of Goya beans in the pantry. So, I added a little extra of the other ingredients as well. To me, that is what makes cooking fun: playing around with tastes, ingredients and measurements until you get it just right. Also, instead of a food processor (mine is tiny and it pretty much stinks), I put everyting in a bowl and used my stick blender. Oh, how I love my stick blender!!
So my tip for today is to get thyself to a supermarket and stock up on some cannellini beans, lemon juice, olive oil and a nice Kosher salt. Plant some basil in your yard and you will be all set for all those last minute invitations.
Question of the Day
What’s your favorite last minute dish to bring to summer parties?
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Posted by: Melissa 11 comments
Posted in: appetizers
Tags: white bean basil dip
on May 12th, 2010 at 7:41 am
I love to make hummus for an easy last minute dish for cookouts…it’s a great dip and burger topper!
on May 12th, 2010 at 7:42 am
Yum..white beans are great and this dip looks wonderfully easy.
on May 12th, 2010 at 9:19 am
Sounds great – As a vegetarian I am alway looking for bean dishes. This would also be great on a whole wheat pita with sliced tomato and cucumber.
on May 12th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Texas caviar is always what I think of first for a summer get together. One can each of black beans (drained), corn, and chopped tomatoes (or fresh). Add fresh cilantro, lime juice to taste, and optional chopped onions. It’s best if it sits a little while in the fridge but can be eaten right away – with chips or as a side dish.
on May 12th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Oh my gosh…this recipe sounds SO good! And, my mom just bought me stuff to grow a basil plant. I better get started
P.S. Thanks for that info on the Fitness Firm. I’ve already contacted them 
on May 12th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
That does sound good. I’ll have to try it. Roni at Green Lite Bites has a great recipe for spinach/parmesan stuffed mushrooms I’ve made for parties before.
on May 12th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
love white bean dip-they have a good white bean hummus at trader joes
on May 12th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Pasta salad is my last minute go to idea. We always have pasta in the cabinet (since my bf is italian) and we always have fresh veggies to throw in! Making a simple vinegrette or throw in some italian salad dressing makes a fast dressing. I have found whenever I make it I never have any left!!
on May 12th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
yum! My favorite go to dish is my spinach and artichoke dip. I also love your corn/avocado salsa but replace olives for black beans.
on May 12th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
I cut up whatever fruit I have on hand (I usually have bananas, grapes and apples), splash some lemon juice over it, throw in some nuts (my fave is walnuts). Make a dressing by mixing 2 parts honey with 1 part mayo; mix in with fruit and nuts.
on Aug 9th, 2010 at 3:44 am
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