I’d really like to spend this post lamenting the fact that the weekend is over and that Monday snuck up so darn fast. That’s not going to do either of us any good, so instead I’m going to focus my energy on what fun Frank and I had the past couple days and, more importantly, what delicious things we ate.
Saturday was as hot as ever around here. Frank and I headed out into Bangkok without a definitive plan except to find a spot with cold drinks, good food, and air conditioning. We ended up at a favorite standby that offers all of the above – WTF – and also checked out the new Opposite Mess Hall for drinks and a few small plates.
There was, as hoped, air conditioning cranked up high. There was also a great art exhibit, red wine, and a series of steamed bun sandwiches – the best of which was filled with fried tempeh, kimchi, sesame and sriracha mayo.
It wasn’t all eating out and art this weekend though. I spent some time in the kitchen. I am headed home to the United States in a week and a half, so I am in full kitchen clean-out mode. Nothing in the freezer or pantry is safe. When it came to choosing something to make for this week’s Secret Recipe Club, I wanted something simple and pantry-friendly.
I was matched up with Beth of It’s Good to be the Cook this month. Beth’s blog is full of creative recipes, but it was her dips and snacks that really caught my eye. I’ll definitely be heading back to Beth’s site when football season rolls around (because even in Bangkok we deserve football season snacks). Beth’s Jalapeño Popper Dip and Italian Hoagie Dip will both need to be revisited later in the year.
Ultimately though, it was Beth’s rave review of Sriracha White Bean Dip that won me over. The dip fit the bill of using ingredients that I already had stashed away in my pantry and freezer and made a weekend afternoon snack that both Frank and I couldn’t get enough of.
White beans like Northern White Beans or Cannellini are used in place of chickpeas for a hummus-style dip that is extra creamy and slightly sweet. It’s excellent with the spicy kick that comes from Sriracha chili sauce in this recipe. I toasted pita bread sprinkled with sesame seeds for a crispy dipping side that brought out all the flavors of the dip.
Thank you, Beth, for the great recipe!
- 4 (6-inch) rounds of pita bread
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon white sesame seeds
- 2 cups cooked white beans drained (or use one 15 ounce can white beans, rinsed and drained)
- 1 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1-2 Tablespoons Sriracha (spicy Asian chili sauce), to taste
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon dried coriander
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- To make the Sesame Pita Chips, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Slice the pita bread into wedges and spread them out on a large baking sheet so that none of the pieces are overlapping. Lightly brush the surface of the pita bread with olive oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake until golden and crisp, 10-15 minutes. (Note: I like my pita chips to have a bit of give to them, so I pull them out right at 10 minutes, but baking them for 15 minutes renders them extra crisp.) Allow to cool completely before serving.
- To make the Sriracha White Bean Spread, combine the white beans, olive oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, Sriracha, curry powder, dried coriander, and lime juice in a blender. Add ¼ cup water and blend until smooth. Add up to an additional ¼ cup water if needed until the consistency is thick but spreadable.
If you’ve been reading for a while, you know that I have a soft spot for Sriracha. It’s spicy, smoky, and a tiny bit sour.
Here are other ways I’ve used it:
Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Roast Cashews
Chicken Banh Mi Sandwiches with Sriracha Mayo
Glazed Sesame Tofu and Avocado Salad with Miso Dressing
And thanks to a Sriracha Pinterest Board, I have many other plans for the spicy sauce.
I am crazy about sriracha when I want a spicy kick. This looks like my kind of dip.
Sweet as Sugar Cookies recently posted..Healthy Chocolate PB Cookie Dough Dip
Sriracha is one of my new favorite ingredients. I love bean dips and this one looks like it would be a hit with my crew.
Micha @ Cookin’ Mimi recently posted..Radiatore in a Sausage and Cream Sauce : Secret Recipe Club
That looks great! I think I’ll put this on my to-make list.
Camilla @ Culinary Adventures recently posted..Jenna’s Cooking Journey: Biscuits & Gravy {SRC Reveal}
I love Sriracha! This looks so good.
Yum! You had me at sriracha really. That combined with the word dip makes for a perfect food. Can’t wait to try this!
Andi @ The Weary Chef recently posted..Easy Weekly Dinner Menu #19 – Bring out the skillet!
What a wonderful way to spend the weekend. I too am in kitchen clean out mode! The thing is I’m trying to use everything up before we head off on holidays (in three days) but leave enough for the 5 days before we move house when we get back. It’s way too strategic for my brain.
Could we have dip for dinner?
Claire @ Claire K Creations recently posted..In my garden – June 2013
Great dip! Bet it is awesome with those sesame pitas. :)
sara recently posted..SRC: Creamy Chicken Lasagna
Love the idea of sriracha in a white bean dip! Perfect for those weekend casual get-togethers. Beautiful photos too Jess. Lovely post.
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted..Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookie Nutella Brownie Bites
It is patio sitting season for us (and it really started this weekend—finally no severe weather and rain)! So, I am now on the hunt for great apps! This makes the list.
Debra recently posted..Moroccan Carrot-Chickpea Salad with Mint and Chives
Sounds super delicious! Anything with Sriracha has me!
Noelle (@singerinkitchen) recently posted..Secret Recipe Club: Cheesy Quinoa Pilaf with Swiss Chard
Sriracha adds a great zip to the dip. Mmmm, I can taste it already.
SeattleDee recently posted..Lemon Parsley Sauce
my kind of dip!
melissa@IWasBornToCook recently posted..Buttered Popcorn Cookies (Secret Recipe Club)
Oh yum! Sriracha makes everything better, IMO, and considering I could easily eat a whole bowl of white bean dip by myself, I have a feeling a bowl of this stuff wouldn’t last more than 5 minutes in my house. :) Definitely my kind of recipe!
Isabelle @ Crumb recently posted..Secret Recipe Club: Baked Chicken Flautas
YUM! I could scoop this up for lunch with nothing else and be TOTALLY happy.
dana recently posted..Banana Almond Meal Muffins (Gluten Free + Vegan Optional)
Love this bean dip! And I totally understand the fridge cleaning mode!
I absolutely love white bean dips in any form, and this one sounds spectacular. Great choice!
Lesa @Edesia’s Notebook recently posted..SRC: Southwest Quinoa Sliders (My 500th Recipe!)
Sounds like a fun weekend! This dip sounds fantastic. My husband would especially love it since he’s obsessed with sriracha these days. And I want to get my hands on some of those pita chips!
Ashley recently posted..Macadamia Caramel Tart
I love the idea of this, especially the pitta chips.
Mmm, love hummus. Curry, lime, Sriracha–sounds great.