Chef Chuck's Mediterranean Bean Dip

Crema di Fagioli Cannellini

A Mediterranean bean dip made with cannellini beans, balsamic roasted tomatoes, shallots and more. A surprise of flavors popping on your taste buds after every bite. The white Italian kidney bean has a potato like texture and is very creamy. Roasting the tomatoes with balsamic vinegar and olive oil brings out a sweetness from those little grape tomatoes. The pesto was from my garden, last summer. I make my pesto and freeze some in ice cube trays and then place the cubes in a plastic bag and store for the winter. All the flavors of the pesto give the dip a mild fresh summer flavor. Use this dip as an appetizer served on bread, crackers, or cut up vegetables. It also can be used as a spread for your favorite sandwich.


Mediterranean Bean Dip
2 cans cannellini beans, drained
12 grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 tablespoons basil pesto
3 shallots, cut in quarters
2 tablespoons organic sesame Tahini
juice of 1/2 a lime
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt


Heat oven to 375 degrees cut tomatoes in half, place cut side down on baking pan, drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over tomatoes. Cook for about 7 minutes, pull skins off and discard.
In a food processor add beans, tomatoes, pesto, shallots, Tahini, lime juice, red pepper flakes and salt begin to process. Slowly drizzle olive oil in, to make a smooth blend. Serve in bowl and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

15 comments:

  1. This looks yummy and a nice alternative to the usual hummus dip.

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  2. Hi Ciao Chow Linda, Yes, your right like a hummus!
    Take Care

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  3. I would make a meal out of this! Glass of wine, bean dip, and some good friends- all the makings for a fun night!

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  4. Nice recipe Chuck - this is my kind of dip. Great photos.

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  5. I love hummus!! This really sounds like a different take on that. I actually have the beans in my cupboard and will try this today!!! Thanks Chef Chuck.

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  7. Hi LaDue, This has all the flavors of a good meal, some vino Yes!!
    Enjoy1

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  8. Thanks Pam, I am sure you would love this one!

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  9. Hi Ginger, Yes hummus is made out of chick peas, and I wanted to put a twist on that! Let me know if you like.
    Grazie!

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  10. This is one of my favorites dips!!! It probably doesn't get made often enough though. Thanks for the reminder... I think I will have to make me a fresh batch this week!

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  11. Ok Chuck, that's it. I am coming to your house for dinner!

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  12. Hi Bridgett, You are welcome to my home anytime!
    Just look me up!!
    Grazie.

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  13. This looks gorgeous. I am loving cannellini beans more and more these days.

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