September 14, 2017

Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip (Vegan + GF)

posted by Julie in Appetizers, Dips, Gluten Free, Recipes, Super Bowl, Vegan, Vegetarian
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Looking for a delicious, healthy dip, perfect for parties and gatherings? This Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip is so good, you’ll never guess it’s gluten-free, vegan, and healthy!

bowl filled with white bean dip with pine nuts and a drizzle of olive oil

As someone who runs a mostly dessert-based food blog, you might think that I have a pretty intense sweet tooth.  But in reality, I love to bake much more than I love to eat the things that I bake.  My snack food tooth, however — well, that’s a whole different story.

I love salty and savory snack foods.  Things like dips, cheese plates, flavored popcorn, charcuterie trays… basically, if you serve it at your football party, I’m all over it.  Buuuuut…. we all know these sorts of foods are not exactly healthy, right?

What if I told you the best dip I’ve had lately was not only delicious… but healthy, too?  And not to brag or anything, but I consider myself to be a bit of a dip connoisseur.

This dip has everything – it’s creamy, thick, savory, a little salty, deliciously roasted garlicky – except gluten and dairy. Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, it’s the perfect party snack for everyone!

Now that we’re into football season, followed shortly by holiday party season, there are an endless number of reasons to make this dip.  You can have all the cookies and cupcakes on the dessert table.

I’ll wave at you from across the room, where I’ll be shoveling this roasted garlic white bean dip straight into my mouth.

bowl of thick white dip with a swirl of olive oil on the top

The Best Easy, Healthy Dip

This roasted garlic white bean dip is both gluten-free and vegan.  Step aside, mayo and cream cheese — I love you in my caramelized onion dip, cheesy bacon corn dip,  chili bean dip, and spinach and artichoke dip… but we don’t need you here.

So now that we talked about what isn’t in this dip.. how about what is in it?   We have olive oil, roasted garlic, fresh herbs, cannellini beans, and white balsamic vinegar.  Don’t have white balsamic vinegar?  No sweat.  Use red wine vinegar, or even apple cider vinegar instead.

See?  Everything in here is easy and healthy – so there’s no guilt when you go back for seconds (or thirds.)  (Or if we’re being honest, when you pack half the dip for lunch with some celery and pepper strips.  I FEEL NO SHAME OVER THIS.)

What really takes this roasted garlic white bean dip from good to great is right there in the title — roasted garlic.  Roasting garlic magically transforms raw, crunchy garlic into soft, caramelized, deliciousness.  A whole head of raw garlic in this dip?  Yikes!  A whole head of roasted garlic in this dip?  Yes, please!

creamy garlic white bean dip with pine nuts and rosemary

How to Roast Garlic

Now let’s chat about roasting garlic for a second.

Peel off the outer layers of garlic paper, chop off the top quarter of the head of garlic, toss with a few tablespoons of olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 400 °F for 45 minutes.

Roasted garlic freezes for several months, so it’s easy to toss in a head of garlic next time you’re cooking a casserole or roasting chicken and save the garlic for a later day.

Why do we want to roast the garlic first? It gives it a much sweeter, more mellow flavor. To understand why, it’s time for my favorite subject… kitchen chemistry!

Kitchen Chemistry

Allicin is a molecule that naturally occurs in garlic, and is responsible for its sharp bite/burning sensation.  Allicin acts as a natural defense against pests.  When the garlic bulb is broken apart by cutting or chewing, allicin is released.  Cooking the garlic breaks down this enzyme, thus inactivating the allicin and eliminating the burning sensation, resulting in a more mild flavor.

close up view of pine nuts and rosemary piled on top of easy gluten-free bean dip

“Roasting” Garlic in the Microwave

But what if… oh no!  You want to make this dip now and you don’t have any roasted garlic?  Time for one of my favorite kitchen hacks: “roasting” garlic in the microwave.

No problem — we’ll steam it in the microwave.  Take my word for it — used in this dip, you can’t taste the difference between roasted garlic and steamed garlic.

Peel off the outer layers and cut off the top of the head of the garlic.  Place it in a little microwave-safe bowl and drizzle with olive oil.  Add a tablespoon or two of water into the bowl, cover it with a microwave-safe lid, and microwave at 50% power for 5 minutes.  If the garlic still isn’t soft, repeat for another 2 minutes.

Done.  5 minutes to pseudo-roasted garlic.  Easy peasy!

one pita chip in a colorful bowl filled with white bean dip

Tips and Tricks for the Best Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip

  1. For the best flavor, use good quality extra virgin olive oil. This should be the kind you use for drizzling or salads, not cooking or roasting.
  2. Roast the garlic (either in the oven or in the microwave) before adding it to the dip. Raw garlic will be too pungent if using a whole head.
  3. To use dried cannellini beans instead of canned, start with 1 1/2 cups of dried beans. Soak the beans and cook until soft, then proceed with the recipe as directed.
  4. For super smooth texture, use a food processor, blender, or immersion blender.

More Easy Dips:

green bowl filled with creamy white bean dip with a swirl of olive oil on top

Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip

Yield: Serves 8-10
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

This roasted garlic white bean dip is so good, you’ll never guess it’s gluten-free, vegan, and healthy!

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 head of garlic, oven roasted or microwave steamed, peeled
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 (15.5 ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

    Add all ingredients to a food processor or high-powered blender.  Blend until no lumps remain and the dip is smooth and creamy.  Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with fresh vegetables and pita chips.

Notes

To roast garlic in the oven: Peel off the outer layers of garlic paper, chop off the top quarter of the head of garlic, toss with a few tablespoons of olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 400 °F for 45 minutes.

To roast garlic in the microwave: Peel off the outer layers and cut off the top of the head of garlic.  Place it in a little microwave-safe bowl and drizzle with olive oil.  Add a tablespoon or two of water into the bowl, cover with a microwave-safe lid, and microwave at 50% power for 5 minutes.  If the garlic still isn’t soft, repeat for another 2 minutes.

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© Julie (Bunsen Burner Bakery)
Cuisine: American / Category: Dips
Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip: Who knew the perfect party dip could also be healthy? So delicious, you'll never guess it's gluten free and vegan!
posted in Appetizers, Dips, Gluten Free, Recipes, Super Bowl, Vegan, Vegetarian
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