Description
A vibrant and creamy dish combining tender butter beans with fresh ricotta, tangy lemon, and aromatic basil pesto. Perfect as a light lunch or appetizer, this recipe offers options to serve the beans warm or cold, making it versatile for any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Basil Pesto
- 1 large bunch fresh basil (approx. 15g)
- A handful of toasted pine nuts
- 1 garlic clove, crushed (or a small bunch of wild garlic if in season)
- 25g Parmesan cheese, grated (or vegan alternative)
- 4–5 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra to serve
Main Ingredients
- 1 jar butter beans (drain half the liquid)
- 250g ricotta cheese (or vegan alternative)
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- Crusty bread (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Make the Basil Pesto: Add the toasted pine nuts, fresh basil, crushed garlic (or wild garlic if using), Parmesan cheese, and olive oil to a blender or food processor. Blitz until smooth, adding more olive oil if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- Prepare the Butter Beans – Hot Option: Drain half the liquid from the jar of butter beans. Pour the beans and remaining liquid into a frying pan and warm over low heat until heated through.
- Prepare the Butter Beans – Cold Option: Drain the beans thoroughly and serve them directly without heating, ideal for summer or fresh salads.
- Assemble the Dish: Spoon the butter beans onto a large serving platter. Dollop the ricotta cheese over the beans and drizzle the basil pesto generously over the top.
- Finish and Serve: Grate the zest of one lemon over the dish and drizzle the lemon juice. Add a crack of black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil before serving. Serve with crusty bread if desired.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use vegan Parmesan and ricotta alternatives.
- You can serve the butter beans warm or cold depending on preference or season.
- Wild garlic is a great seasonal substitute for regular garlic in the pesto.
- Adjust the olive oil amount in the pesto to achieve your preferred consistency.
- Crusty bread makes a perfect accompaniment to this dish, especially when served warm.
