Super Bowl Appetizer

It doesn't matter if you are a Patriots or Falcons Fan!

This Tuscan White Bean Spread is sure to be devoured!

Ingredients

1 pound of dried, rinsed Great Northern white beans (or two cans)

2” sprig of fresh rosemary

4 cups low chicken or vegetable stock and water to cover beans

1 medium onion, diced

2 whole garlic cloves, smashed

1 large carrot, peeled and diced

1 large celery rib, 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 Tbs. Ghiggeri's Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) robust is ideal

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 beans 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 pressed extra virgin olive oil. The spread can be served with crudités, crackers, lavash, pita, or crusty bread.

Makes approximately 2 ½ cups white bean spread