Spinach Artichoke & White Bean "Endive Dippers"

As healthy as endive spears are, tortilla chips are fun too... (featured - Trader Joes Veggie & Flax Seed Chips)

Last week while standing in line for salad at one of my favorite grab-and-go lunch spots, I couldn’t help but overhear a woman crafting her own salad packed with vegetables and…cannoli beans. Clearly she had Italian desert and not healthy salad fixings on the brain. While fighting back the giggles, I got to thinking about other ways I could incorporate white beans, or cannellini beans, into recipes.

One thing led to another and here we are with endive dippers in one hand and spinach artichoke and cannellini bean dip in the other.

The artichoke added a nice creaminess to the dip, while the spinach provided the green boost; white beans injected fiber and protein and rosemary the nice flavor. I guess it shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but the dip did remind me somewhat of hummus.

This recipe can be as simple as a quick rinse of the beans and a toss of everything in the blender, or it can involve some light sautéing before combining. Either way, it is destined to be a hit. Pita chips, tortilla chips or crackers work for serving too.

The recipe: 

3  large garlic cloves, chopped

1/4 c. red onion

4 cups baby spinach

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 can artichoke hearts, drained and rinsed

1 can white beans, drained and rinsed

2 tbsp fresh rosemary

3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon olive oil + oil for cooking

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

In a large nonstick skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion 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 spinach mixture, a tbsp of olive oil, cannelloni beans, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, parmesan and pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Transfer to a small serving bowl. Serve with endive spears.