Let’s Take A Dip

Spinach and Cannelloni Bean Dip

Have you ever had a recipe you always wanted to make, but just never found an ingredient that the recipe called for. Well I have had one of those recipes on my list. Back in 2008 I saw an episode of Everyday Italian with Giada and printed off  the recipe. The one thing I could never find was Endive.

So when I saw Endive at Trader Joe’s I grabbed it and when I got home I pulled out the recipe.

Giada’s Spinach and Cannelloni Bean Dip

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (6-ounce) bags baby spinach (I used frozen)
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil, over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 of the spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted. Repeat with the remaining spinach. Let the mixture cool for a few minutes.

Place the remaining olive oil, spinach mixture, cannelloni beans, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor.

Please Note: For this recipe, I used frozen spinach. Once I drained all the liquids, I added it to the pan with olive oil and garlic and heated it for about 4 minutes.

Blend until the mixture is smooth. Transfer to a small serving bowl. Serve with endive spears or pita chips.

Red and White Belgian Endives.

Grab your ingredients.

I used my Tofu Press to press out the water from the frozen spinach after it thawed.

Added the mix to a food processor to blend.

Served.

I also sprinkled a little Parmigiano cheese over the top of the dip and dug in. I really loved it. I could taste the smoothness of the white beans, and I’m a sucker for spinach so this recipe was right up my alley. I also really liked the endive it had a nice zesty bite to it. I heard it had a bitter taste to it, but I didn’t get a bitter flavor from it, I think the combo of the spinach, beans and the endive worked well. I was not disappointed.

Question of the day: Have you ever tried endive? 

Check Ya Later.

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