Spread:
1 pound of dried, rinsed Great Northern white beans (or two cans)
2” sprig of fresh rosemary
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock and water to cover beans
1 medium onion, diced
2 whole garlic cloves, smashed
One large carrot, peeled and diced
One large celery stalk, diced
2 ripe, fresh Roma tomatoes, peeled, diced & seeded or one small can of diced tomatoes in juice
2 teaspoons sea salt
Fresh ground pepper to taste
For Finishing:
1/3 cup + 2 Tablespoons Olive Us Ultra Premium, robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
In a 6 quart or larger stock pot, add all of the ingredients except the olive oil. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, partially covered for approximately 4 hours or until the beans are tender and fully cooked through. Add more water as necessary. Allow the beans to cool completely.
In the bowl of a food processor, ladle two cups of cooked bean mixture along with liquid they were cooked in. Add 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil and process until smooth or desired consistency is reached. Serve at room temperature drizzled with two tablespoons of reserved early harvest, fresh extra virgin olive oil. The spread can be served with crudités, crackers, lavash, pita or crusty bread.
Makes approximately 2 1/2 cups white bean spread