Watercress Pesto With White Beans Recipes

WHITE BEAN PESTO

Steps:

• Remove the basil leaves from the thick stalks. Add basil to the food processor.
• Add the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and garlic powder to the basil in the food processor. Process on high about 1 minute to break up the basil well.
• Add the spinach to the food processor and process on high about 1 minute to incorporate the spinach with the basil.
• Rinse and drain the can of white beans. Add the drained white beans to the food processor and process on high 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed.
• Test the texture and consistency of the white bean pesto. It will continue to thicken as it sits. If you want a thinner sauce, add water 1-2 tbsp. at a time and process again until you have the right consistency.

ROSEMARY-SCENTED WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Place the drained beans, bay leaf, rosemary and spring water in a soup pot and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and cover, removing any foam that appears. Beans will soften in about 40 minutes. Add a generous pinch of sea salt the last five minutes of cooking to keep the skins of the beans intact.
• While the beans are cooking, saute the onion in olive oil with a pinch of salt over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and then the white wine, cooking the mixture until all of the liquid is absorbed. Add the cooked beans and some (about 1 1/2 cups) of their broth to the onion mixture along with the additional sea salt as needed. Add another sprig of rosemary if a stronger flavor is desired. Lower the heat and cook the for about 20 more minutes. Beans should be a little juicy and soft. Add black pepper to taste. Sprinkle with fresh parsley just before serving.

NUTTY WATERCRESS PESTO

Steps:

• Pop the watercress, basil, garlic and Brazil nuts into a food processor. Blitz until very finely chopped. Add the remaining pesto ingredients and pulse again until mixed, then season to taste. Will keep, well covered, for 4-5 days in the fridge.