Description
Creamy butter beans mingle with smooth ricotta in this Italian-inspired delight. Herbaceous basil and silky cheese elevate simple ingredients, promising pure comfort you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cans (14 ounces / 400 grams each) butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup fresh ricotta cheese
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
Basil Pesto:
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Seasonings & Garnish:
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant basil pesto by blending fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor until finely chopped. Slowly stream olive oil while processing to create a silky, aromatic sauce.
- Drain and rinse butter beans, then gently fold into creamy ricotta cheese. Incorporate bright lemon zest and juice, seasoning with salt and pepper until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Artfully spread the lemon-infused bean mixture onto a serving platter, creating an inviting base for the dish.
- Lavishly drizzle the prepared basil pesto over the beans, ensuring complete coverage and maximum flavor infusion.
- Enhance the presentation by scattering fresh basil leaves across the top, adding a final touch of color and herbaceous aroma.
- Serve immediately at room temperature, accompanied by crusty artisan bread or a crisp green salad for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Customize pesto by swapping pine nuts with more affordable alternatives like sunflower seeds or walnuts for budget-friendly preparation.
- Make the dish vegan-friendly by replacing ricotta with silken tofu or cashew cream and using nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
- Enhance protein content by adding grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie meat, or crispy chickpeas for a more substantial meal.
- Store leftover pesto in an airtight container with a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent browning and maintain freshness for up to one week in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 15mg