Red Pepper Pesto Pâté

Lemony white beans, red pepper with feta and a parsley pine nut pesto are layered to create this vibrant spread with flavors as bright as its looks. Bring this veggie pâté to your next potluck and serve with baguette rounds or pita bread. This recipe comes to us from Donna of Apron Strings.

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Serves 20

Ingredients:

For the white bean layer:

• 2 15 ounce cans cannellini beans*, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, minced or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed

For the roasted red pepper layer:

• 1 7 ounce jar roasted red bell peppers, drained and chopped
• 4 ounces feta cheese or dairy-free feta, crumbled

For the pesto layer:

• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup Italian parsley leaves
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup low-fat ricotta cheese or dairy-free ricotta

To complete the dish:

• 1 3 ounce jar sun dried tomatoes, drained and chopped

*also referred to as white kidney beans.

Directions:

Prepare a 10×5 inch loaf pan with a light coating of cooking spray or oil.

To make the white bean layer:

Mash the cannellini beans in large bowl.

Combine the mashed beans, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano and garlic together in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread the white bean mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared pan.

To make the roasted red pepper layer:

Combine the peppers and feta in a food processor and blend until smooth. Spread the red pepper mixture evenly over white bean layer in the prepared pan.

To make the pesto layer:

Pulse the garlic in the food processor until minced. Add the basil, parsley and pine nuts and pulse until all ingredients are minced and thoroughly combined.

With the food processor running, gradually add the oil to the garlic basil mixture through the processor’s feed tube. Process until smooth.

Mix the ricotta into the pesto. Spread the pesto evenly over the red pepper layer.

To complete the red pepper pesto pâté:

Sprinkle the chopped sun dried tomatoes evenly over the pesto layer.

Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

To unmold, invert the pâté onto a serving platter. Peel off the plastic wrap and enjoy.