Lemon Basil White Bean Dip - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 (15 ounce) cannellini beans, drained
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup fresh parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil, plus
1 whole basil leaves, to garnish
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper

Preparation

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the beans, chicken stock and garlic.
Simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan.
Let the mixture cool for 10 minutes. In a food processor, blend the cooled mixture until smooth.
Chop the basil finely and stir into the mixture along with the lemon juice and the pepper.
Serve in a bowl, garnished with basil leaves.
If you prefer a chunkier version, simply don't puree the beans as long, or puree half the beans and mix in the remaining whole beans by hand.