White Bean Dip

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C/gas 6.

Mix the garlic cloves with 1 tsp of the olive oil, place on a baking sheet, and cook for 15 minutes, until soft. Remove from the oven and when cool enough to handle, squash the garlic out of its skin using the back of a fork. Discard the skins, place the flesh in a small bowl, and add the tahini, yoghurt, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and some black pepper. Use a whisk to mix everything together well and set aside.

Place the remaining olive oil in a small saucepan with the shaved lemon rind. Place over medium heat, bring to a gentle simmer, then remove from the heat to cool and infuse.

Pop the beans in a blender and pulse with all but 1 tablespoon of the lemon oil, the lemon juice, the chopped mint, ½ teaspoon sea salt, and some black pepper to form a thick paste.

Spread the mix in a thin layer over the bottom of each serving plate or one larger platter. Sprinkle the shredded mint and grated lemon zest over and finish with a drizzle of the lemon-infused oil.

Ingredients

  • 1 head garlic (10 cloves), cloves separated, skin on
  • 120ml olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon tahini
  • 6 tablespoons Greek style or goat’s yoghurt
  • 2 lemons, the rind cut into long strips from one and 2 teaspoons finely grated zest from the other
  • 750g cooked white beans/edame beans
  • 2-4 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 6 stems mint, chopped, plus 1 tbsp. shredded mint leaves to garnish
  • Salt and black pepper