Try Our Zippy Sicilian White Bean Spread

I was inspired to create a lemony white bean spread by an opportunity to bring a vegetable platter to a 95th birthday party. The grazing platter needed a dip or two, and I needed a reason to be creative and get into test kitchen mode. Thus, the Zippy Sicilian White Bean Spread was born. It’s basically a lemony-herby white bean hummus, without the sesame oil and with the addition of my Zippy Sicilian spice mix. That’s it in the bottom right corner below.

I was so happy with the results! Here’s the recipe for you.

Recipe: Zippy Sicilian White Bean Spread

Cooking time: 15 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 cans 15 oz. cannellini beans (also known as white kidney beans), drained and rinsed
• 3 tbsp. mixed fresh herbs: your choice of basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary and parsley
• ¾ tsp. fresh lemon zest
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (juice from about 2 lemons)
• 1 medium clove garlic, pressed
• 1 tsp. Glover Gardens Zippy Sicilian spice mix, or your favorite Italian spice mix (note: if the spice mix doesn’t include salt, reduce it to ½ tsp. and add ½ tsp. salt)
• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 5 drops of Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce
• ¼ dry white wine or water
• Additional salt and pepper to taste, if necessary
• Optional
  • Additional olive oil for drizzling
  • Additional herbs for garnish

Cooking Instructions

Combine all ingredients up and including the Tabasco in a food processor and puree for about a minute. With the processor running, pour in the white wine and process until smooth, about an additional 30 seconds. Transfer to an attractive bowl to serve. If you’re adding the optional olive oil drizzle, make a swirl with a spoon for it. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve, then add the olive oil and garnish with additional herbs, if desired. Serve with crackers, pita or vegetables (or all three).

Notes

• Using a flavored olive oil is a subtle way to change up the taste. We have a lemon-rosemary flavored olive oil that was lovely with this dip.
• If you want the spread to be spicier, add more Tabasco before blending or even a fresh chilé or two, or garnish with red pepper flakes and chilé oil.
• This recipe makes enough for a party. But it keeps very well (up to a week) and is a good component in other recipes. You can also cut the recipe in half.
• The possibilities for using Zippy Sicilian White Bean Spread are broad:
  • As a condiment for a sandwich or wrap, especially with Mediterranean flavors – staying with a vegetarian approach or adding chicken, steak or shrimp for a delightful hand-held flavor burst
  • On toast instead of avocado or butter
  • On bagels instead of butter or cream cheese
  • As a filling for cherry tomatoes or cherry peppers
  • As a condiment base for crostini, topped with a variety of things, either protein or veggies.
  • As a condiment for our Turkey Cevap on a Pita
  • On a flatbread with any number of toppings
  • Really, in any way that you would use hummus

The Finished Product

This dip/spread was perfect for my vegetable grazing platter, with a pop of lemon, garlic and herbs in every creamy bite to balance the crunch of the fresh vegetables. It’s a new fave at Glover Gardens, and a great way to use the Zippy Sicilian spice mix (which you can make yourself in just a few minutes).

Join Me in the Kitchen

Give It a Try!

Let me know if you make this easy-peasy super-tasty recipe, and how you serve it. I’d love to learn from your experience.

© 2024, Glover Gardens