Description
A fresh and vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring creamy butter beans tossed in a zesty lemon basil pesto, complemented by smooth ricotta cheese. Perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or vegetarian main course, this no-cook recipe is quick to prepare and packed with flavor and nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Butter Beans
- 2 cups cooked or canned butter beans (drained and rinsed)
Ricotta & Pesto
- 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts or walnuts
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish (optional)
- Extra basil leaves
- Extra lemon zest
Instructions
- Prepare the Pesto: In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, toasted pine nuts or walnuts, garlic clove, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Pulse the ingredients until they are finely chopped. With the processor running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream until the pesto reaches a smooth, creamy consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine with Butter Beans: In a mixing bowl, gently toss the cooked or canned butter beans with a few spoonfuls of the lemon basil pesto until they are evenly coated. Be careful to coat the beans without mashing them to keep their texture intact.
- Add Ricotta Cheese: Fold the ricotta cheese gently into the pesto-coated butter beans to incorporate creaminess. Alternatively, for a contrast in texture and taste, dollop the ricotta on top just before serving instead of mixing it in.
- Serve: Serve the butter beans with ricotta and lemon basil pesto warm or at room temperature. Garnish with extra basil leaves and lemon zest if desired to enhance the dish’s freshness and presentation.
Notes
- This dish works wonderfully as a side, light lunch, or vegetarian main course when accompanied by crusty bread.
- You can use canned butter beans for convenience or cook them yourself from dried beans for improved texture and flavor.
