White bean hummus style dip with lemon and pine nuts is like a burst of sunshine in the winter and a perfect celebration of the season in summer. For another twist on hummus with lemons, try my preserved lemon hummus.
White Bean Hummus Style Dip - A New Twist on an Old Tradition
In the United States, hummus is generally eaten as a dip for carrots and pita chips. In Israel and other countries in the Middle East, hummus is a meal to be shared with friends and family, accompanied by pita bread fresh from the oven, bean or meat toppings on the hummus, and sometimes falafel and the ubiquitous Israeli chopped salad. I've served this dip as an appetizer but white beans are high in protein and you could certainly turn this into a vegan or vegetarian main course.
Is it Hummus if you use White Beans?
The word hummus, in both Arabic and Hebrew, actually means chickpea as well as denoting the spread made from the protein-filled bean. When I developed this recipe for white bean hummus and called it so, my social media friend and brilliant chef and co-author of Jerusalem: A Cookbook, Sami Tamimi was quick to correct me - if it's not made with chickpeas, it's not hummus. But what I do borrow from hummus, is the method for making it. Using ice water as part of the liquid and letting it whir in the food processor for several minutes - not just until smooth. I taught this dip to a cooking class and they were amazed by the change in texture from "just combined" to several minutes more of whizzing in the food processor.
Basil and Pine Nuts - A LOVEly Addition
But where does the aphrodisiac part of white bean hummus style dip come into play? Well according to some of my online research basil and pine nuts both fall in the "love food" category. And if you are already a pesto lover, you know they marry well together. As for finding basil year round, I have seen it here in Northern California even when it is far too cold to grow it, so I'm hoping you can rustle some up year round where you live too. If not, see if your grocer carries Gourmet Garden lightly dried herbs - you can substitute in some of their basil instead using the equivalents they suggest on the package - about half as much dried as fresh.
Optional Toppings and Delightful Dippers
Toppings are the best part of making this dip - use your creativity. Toasted pine nuts are highly recommended - adding great flavor and texture - but if your pantry includes some middle eastern spices - try za'atar, Turkish/Syrian peppers like marash and aleppo, sumac, and of course don't forget a good glug of your favorite olive oil - one that you would use in a salad dressing uncooked.
As for what to dip in it - fresh vegetables are perfect such as persian cucumbers, carrots, radish, snow peas. And some pita chips or fresh pita bread pairs beautifully as well. Leftovers? Don't forget to spread it on your sandwiches or make a really hip "toast" with this dip, some avocado, and finish it with za'atar, dukkah, or just some salt and pepper.
Hope you enjoy this month’s #ProgressiveEats menu and have a LOVEly Valentine's Day.
White Bean Hummus Style Dip with Basil, Pine Nuts and Meyer Lemon
Beth LeeIngredients
- 2 15 ounce cans cannellini or great northern beans or white kidney beans drained and rinsed
- ⅓ cup tahini
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice regular lemon works too
- 1 - 2 cloves garlic, roasted roasting is optional
- 1 ounce fresh basil or to taste
- ½ teaspoon cumin OR oregano if possible, use whole cumin seeds, toasted and ground OR use dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 4 tablespoons ice water
Optional Toppings
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
- 4 teaspoons za'atar
- ½ teaspoon marash pepper
- 1 teaspoon sumac
Instructions
- Pulse the white beans in the food processor 10 - 15 times until partially mashed.
- Add tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, basil, cumin (or oregano), and salt and pepper to the food processor and continue to mix for 1 minute. Pour in ice water and continue mixing for an additional 3 - 5 minutes until smooth and creamy. Taste for seasoning and texture, adjust if necessary, and pulse to combine.
- To serve, spread hummus in a serving bowl and top with olive oil, za'atar, marash pepper, sumac, and pine nuts to taste. Serve with fresh pita, pita chips, and/or vegetables for dipping.
Nutrition
Love Foods: Aphrodisiac Foods / Foods for Valentine's Day
Cocktails
- Raspberry and Chocolate Sparkling Rose Cocktail from Creative Culinary
Appetizers
- Chipotle Orange Grilled Shrimp Cocktail Gluten Free from The Heritage Cook
- White Bean Basil Hummus Style Dip w Pine Nuts and Meyer Lemon from OMG! Yummy
Main Courses
- Rib-Eye Steak With A Sunny-Side-Up Egg & Arugula Salad from Food Hunters Guide
- Pan Seared Salmon and Asparagus with Mojo Verde from Spice Roots
Desserts
- White Chocolate Frozen Mousse with Hazelnut Whipped Cream from The Red Headed Baker
- Oreo White Chocolate Fudge from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Valentine's Day Simple Crepe Cake from Mother Would Know
Ashley I bestreviewofproduct
Great ideas for Valentine's preparation. Nice use of white beans in hummus, it makes it all the more nutritious and flavorful. Perfect dip for carrots and cucumber.
Beth Lee
Thanks Ashley! Let me know if you give it a try. Have a great week.
Hannah
What an inspired dip, Beth! I love that it's nutritious as well as tasty. I'm not surprised that it has been a hit. A nice spin on traditional hummus! Meyer lemons and basil sure add some bright flavor, especially for this time of season. xx
Beth Lee
Always nice to see your name in the comments. Miss your posts (and I've missed mine.). Trying to find the joy and the energy.
Ansh
Anything topped with pine nuts is my "crack" ! But white Bean "hummus" just makes it crack plus crack for me. Wonderful texture and I would probably eat it on everything!
Beth Lee
Crack plus crack - Love it. Yes definitely a great sandwich spread aside from the ultimate vegetable and pita dipper.
Rita
Great, tasty idea Beth! I've made "hummus" from lima beans, but never thought to do the basil and pine nut part. Yumm
Beth Lee
Try it, you'll like it! And I'm sure you'll think of another clever twist.
Barbara | Creative Culinary
I am a hummus virgin but how ironic that I bought the ingredients last week to make some! I did buy chickpeas because I wanted to use my pressure cooker to make them but using canned beans? How much easier...what a GREAT idea!
I will take with me some of your tips for how to serve it though, I had yet to put everything together. And I will have to make this next; I so love basil and pine nuts together. Great job Beth; I'm inspired!
Beth Lee
So here's the story on the beans - no doubt that starting with dry beans is always the best. And I could write a short post just on skin on or skin off with the beans. But my hope is that people will make their own hummus and if starting with canned beans gets them to do that, then I'm all for it. And if you use this technique, it is almost as good as the dry. Let me know how your "real hummus" comes out!
Laura@motherwouldknow
It may not technically be hummus but it sure looks yummy. I'll have to follow your advice about adding ice water and processing for minutes, not just seconds. I've never done either of those steps. Can't wait to try them - love tips like these, especially when the final product is so enticing.
Beth Lee
Let me know how it turns out when you try it. It was a huge hit at a recent cooking class with moms and daughters!
Jane, The Heritage Cook
Absolute perfection Beth!!! Bold, sexy, healthy, and delicious!!
Beth Lee
For a second there, I thought you were talking about me :-). Thanks Jane - I wasn't sure people would think it's sexy but you know what -- it is. Big flavor, great options for dipping which means sharing, and it's healthy too.
The Food Hunter
I can't wait to try this
Beth Lee
Easy, healthy, yummy - I hope you like it!
Liz
Even though this dip may not "officially" be hummus, it sounds incredibly flavorful and delicious and would be an equal contender if placed next to a bowl of the classic version!
Beth Lee
Thanks for your confidence in the recipe Liz. It's really yummy - even taught it at an informal cooking class over the holidays and it was a big hit.