I love versatile things, like a great cardigan, real vanilla ice cream, pita bread, and mason jars.  These things can take on multiple functions and are a great base. That’s where today’s recipe fits in…a great base or launching point for many other recipes.

Today’s featured recipe is the third recipe from the Food Matters Project, a group of food bloggers focused on cooking through the Food Matters Cookbook by Mark Bittman. The original recipe, featured by Heather of girlichef, is Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut “Pesto”. The original recipe purees 8 roasted red peppers, walnuts, olive oil, and basil to form a pesto-like spread. I decided to do a variation and replace half of the roasted red peppers with cannelini beans and use almonds instead of walnuts (because that is what I had on hand). I wanted to move this recipe more towards hummus and add a kick with red pepper flakes.  The red pepper flakes help balance out the sweetness that occurs from the red peppers. I think the quantity of red peppers is a little much and could be reduced to two peppers.

This spread ends up being like the little black dress of condiments. I used it as a sandwich spread to amp up my veggie sandwich. And because this recipe makes quite a large batch, I had enough left to use as a pesto-like base to a pasta dish with roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, and extra basil (sorry no pictures of that awesomeness).

The primary component of this recipe is roasted red peppers. You can use jarred roasted red peppers, but it is also really easy to roast your own. Simply place them red peppers (whole) on a foil lined roasting pan. Turn your broiler on high or heat your oven to 450F. If using the broiler, the processes will only take about 15 minutes, but make sure your turn the peppers every 4 to 5 minutes, browning on all sides (see picture below). If you decide just to roast them in an oven preheated to 450F, this process will take about 45 minutes. After the skin is slightly charred, wrap in the aluminum foil from the pan and allow to sweat and cool. Unwrap after at least 10 minutes or until cooled off. Run the peppers under cold water and peel the skin off of the peppers. Remove the tops and deseed. And voila, you have roasted red peppers! These are good on pizza, sandwiches, hummus, pasta dishes, and so much more!

If you are intested in other variations on the FMP recipe, check the main website here.

Spicy Roasted Red Pepper and White Bean Spread (adapted from The Food Matters Cookbook by Mark Bittman)

Note: I liked this spread on sandwiches and as a dip for pita chips. It also works well tossed onto fettucini with some goat cheese and roasted tomatoes. The possibilities are pretty limitless.

Ingredients

• 2 roasted garlic cloves (roast at the same time that you roast the red peppers)
• 3/4 cup roasted almonds (or walnuts)
• 1 15 oz cannelini beans (2 cups)
• 3 roasted red bell peppers, skinned and deseeded
• 1/2 cup fresh basil or parsley
• 1 to 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• red pepper flakes to taste

Instructions

1. Roast red peppers as described above or use jarred roasted red peppers.
2. Place garlic in food processor and pulse. Add almonds and pulse until a fine meal is formed.
3. Add beans, basil, red peppers and puree. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice into the puree. Pulse the food processor until all is combined. Add salt and red pepper flakes to taste.