From the book Snacks for Dinner by Lukas Volger. Copyright © 2022 by Lukas Volger. Published by Harper Wave, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Reprinted by permission.
From Lukas' notes: These warm, creamy beans cloaked in smoky, savory olive oil are a quick centerpiece “dip” for a snacky meal. They provide an excellent contrast to cool, tangy, creamy foods like yogurt and mild, soft cheese, as well as crisp vegetables and grilled toasts. I like to use cannellini beans, though chickpeas work well, too, and canned beans are fine. My small, 6-inch skillet fits a can of beans perfectly and doubles as a serving vessel, but any shallow, oven-safe dish (a gratin dish, or other small casserole) will do, or double the recipe for a 10-inch skillet. If the volume of oil gives you pause, feel free to use less, but use enough that the beans are at least a little bit submerged, else they won’t take on such a luxuriously creamy texture.
Ingredients:
- 1¾ cups cooked white beans, such as Rancho Gordo Ayocote Blanco, Cassoulet, Caballero, Marcella, Large White Lima, or Royal Corona beans
- ¼ cup kalamata olives, pitted and coarsely minced
- 3 plump garlic cloves, smashed
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika, such as Rancho Gordo Castillo Spanish Pimentón
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a small skillet or other shallow, oven-safe dish, stir together the beans, olives, garlic, paprika, and salt. Pour the oil over the mixture and gently stir to combine. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30 minutes. I don’t stir, as I like the chewy crust that forms on the beans at the surface, but you can stir once or twice as it bakes if you prefer a more uniform consistency.
- These are best served hot or warm, garnished with the dried oregano. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container, where they’ll continue to marinate for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature, or warm, before serving.
Makes 3 to 4 servings