Thursday, October 7, 2010

Giada's White Bean Dip with Pita Chips

This week at I Heart Cooking Clubs, we are kicking off our cooking the recipes of Giada De Laurentiis for the next six months with Benvenuto Giada!--welcoming her with party foods or drinks to celebrate. I picked her White Bean Dip with Pita Chips from "Everyday Italian"--because I was craving hummus and this simple pantry recipe is Giada's Italian take on it. Plus I always love a quick and easy recipe like this that can be made with simple items on hand in the pantry, plus a little fresh parsley from the herb garden.


Giada says, "This dip is the Italian versus of hummus, and in my opinion it's smoother and tastier. This is a staple antipasto when I'm entertaining. The pita chips aren't Italian, but they work really well with this dip."

White Bean Dip with Pita Chips
"Everyday Italian" by Giada De Laurentiis
(6 Appetizer Servings)

4 pita breads, split horizontally in half
2 Tbsp plus 1/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
1 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup (loosely packed) fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1/2 lemon)
1 garlic clove

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut each pita half into 8 wedges. Arrange the pita wedges evenly over a large baking sheet. Brush the pita wedges with 2 Tbsp of the oil, then sprinkle with the oregano and 1 tsp of the salt and pepper. Bake for 8 minutes, then turn the pita wedges over and bake until they are crisp and golden, about 8 minutes longer.

Meanwhile,in the bowl of a food processor, combine the beans, parsley, lemon juice, garlic, and the remaining 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper. Pulse on and off until the mixture is coarsely chopped. With the machine running, gradually mix in the remaining 1/3 cup of oil until the mixture is creamy. Season the puree with more salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the puree to a small bowl and serve the pita toasts warm or at room temperature alongside. (The pita wedges and bean puree can be made 1 day ahead. Store the pita wedges airtight at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the bean puree.)


Notes/Results: Creamy, savory, and pretty darn delicious. Although white bean dip will never truly replace hummus in my heart (Sorry Giada!), it certainly makes a nice change. I added an extra clove of garlic and a little extra lemon juice because... well, because I really like garlic and lemon. ;-) For the pita chips, I used a whole wheat pita and baked them about seven minutes on one side and about five minutes on the other side and that was plenty. I make my own pita chips sometimes, and I really liked the oregano on this version--they really complimented the flavors in the dip. The recipe says it serves 6 as an appetizer but unless you have a large plate of antipasti or others pupus, I would recommend doubling it to serve more than a couple of people. It also makes a killer sandwich spread--so you'll want a little extra anyway. I will make this again.


You can check out what dishes the other IHCC participants make to welcome Giada by going to the post here and following the links.


In addition to linking to I Heart Cooking Clubs, I will be sending this yummy dip to the weekly Friday Potluck hosted by Erin at EKat's Kitchen. Be sure and stop by her blog and see the terrific potluck dishes.



Aloha,

28 comments:

  1. While I wouldn't say that white bean dip is BETTER than hummus...I would say that I love them both equally, but differently. This one sounds absolutely fantastic!

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  2. I love Giada's recipes and I've made her white bean dip for my book club before. I think the extra garilic and lemon would be good! I also love her Tuscan white bean and garlic soup. Your photos are great!

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  3. I'm having me those chips. :)

    I love visiting your site; it's such a pick-me-up and really makes me smile.

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  4. This would be a perfect dip for a party! And those pita chips look so delicious! Definitely trying this recipe!

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  5. Oh Deb, I love hummus and need to try it made this way! Your photos are beautiful too! Good pick for the first week of Giada recipes!

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  6. Wow this really is just like hummus! I've even seen recipes that are similar to hummus but use black beans. I wonder what country that is from ;)

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  7. I agree with Joanne - I love both versions equally - but one could never replace the other!

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  8. This recipe sounds great. I too make a Italian inspired hummus calle Tuscan Hummus. I love using the white Italian beans instead of garbanzo beans. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

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  9. Yum, make that double yum!!! I love trying new dips and this one looks fantastic! Thanks for linking up to the potluck this week - looking forward to seeing what everyone brings! Can't wait :)

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  10. I'm so glad you posted this. It looks like a great antidote to my need-a-new-snack doldrums.

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  11. Yum, I love white bean dip! Great choice for welcoming Giada!

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  12. I love me some white bean dip! And homemade pita chips are the best! Your presentation is gorgeous. I am so happy that you are all cooking with Giada - will try to get in on it.

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  13. In truth, I'd rather have white bean dip over hummus. sorry. I'm so glad you shared this. I got hooked on Trader Joe's white bean hummus, but realized I could make this myself. Great idea!

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  14. Isn't that recipe great? It's become sort of expected that I serve it at parties now because all my friends have fallen in love with it. I've adapted it different ways too--sometimes I pulse in red onion, cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, and cumin as a dip with tortilla chips. Really good!

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  15. Thanks so much. I had not seen this recipe before and I'm going to give it a whirl soon.
    Its nice to meet you.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  16. I love Giada! Can't wait to try this as I love hummus, but Italian is where my heart is at. Thanks for the recipe!

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  17. Every time I see a white bean dip, I think - I need to make that for my next party. Then I forget! I'm book marking this now. It looks so great!

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  18. When my boyfriend sawthis he was almost drewling, and then i told him it was white beans he was a littlebit disapointed. I like beans so we're deffinatly going to try this(since i'm The Cook in our home;) )

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  19. You're right, Deb - a good hummus is hard to top, but I'm thinking this would make a pretty damn nice alternative. Love the look of your pita chips as well.
    Sue

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  20. We are getting ready to watch the Colts game in a couple of hours, could you bring this over? It looks fantastic all done up in that pretty bowl with the chips there beside it. YUM.

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  21. This is a perfect pick, Deb! I agree, this is a recipe that should be doubled as you will want some for snacking and some for sandwiches. Double batch or not, it wouldn't last long in my house ;-)

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  22. That is a drool-worthy photo. I've been wanting to try this recipe and the Tuscan White Bean and Garlic Soup recipe. Now I know I have to make them both, since I love cannellini beans.

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  23. Ciao ! We are sister in hummus this week !! Baci

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  24. I could easily sit down and enjoy a big plate of this bean dip w/ the pita chips...fabulous!

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  25. Nice call on using this as a sandwich spread. Does sound good.

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  26. Kat--thanks--it is pretty yummy! ;-)

    Joanne--I think I can find room in my heart for both too! ;-)

    Lyndsey--thank you! I tried the soup as well and loved it. ;-)

    Lisa--thanks--they are tasty!

    Chiffonade girls--thanks! I hope you like it. ;-)

    Roz--thanks! If you love hummus--you'll enjoy this. ;-)

    Roxan--I have tried some black bean "hummus" recipes and they were good too. I think any bean works well. ;-)

    Megan--there is certainly room for both in my heart and stomach. ;-)

    Nancy--thanks! Your version sounds delicious too!

    Erin--thanks! I can't wait to stop by the potluck. ;-)

    Maggie--thanks! This might just be your cure! ;-)

    Natashya--thanks!

    Reeni--Thanks! I hope you get a chance to join us.
    ;-)

    Nitha--thanks!

    Debby--no worries--I love them both and am happy to be able to enjoy them. ;-)

    Jenn--your changes sound really good--I'll have to try some of them the next time. ;-)

    Ahrisha--thanks for stopping by--I hope you try and like the recipe! ;-)

    Debbie--I am sure you will love this recipe! ;-)

    Lori--thanks! I hope you make it sometime--I am sure you will enjoy it. ;-)

    Yvette--try it, I am sure he will never know it is white beans when he tastes it. ;-)

    Sue--thanks! It's a great alternative for sure! ;-)

    Kayte--I'll bring it right over! ;-)

    Kim--thanks! It sure didn't last long here! ;-)

    Carla--Thanks! I have tried the soup before too and it is pretty yummy. ;-)

    Natalia--yay--hummus sisters! ;-)

    girlichef--mahalo! ;-)

    MM--thanks! It does work really well as both a dip and spread! ;-)

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