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On Friday, after a week that was essentially a big ball of butter, flour and sugar all rolled up into one (let’s recount, shall we?  Chocolate fudge brownie cookies {recipe to come!}, raspberry almond genoise {V-Day dessert}, tres leches cake {second date dessert}, and almost-vegan chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake {potluck at work}.  Really. That all happened.) and a six mile run that made me feel like I was going to have a myocardial infarction (i.e. heart attack) with every step.

I gave up sweets.

Then, on Saturday, I made two dozen red velvet cupcakes.

And ate four.  Plus one (plus or minus two) chocolate s’more cookies.  Obviously.

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Which brought us to Sunday.

A day of rest, relaxation, retribution, and reconciliation.

And by rest and relaxation (and..umm..definitely retribution), I totally mean sixty minutes and 16 miles of stationary biking at the gym.  Semantics.

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After which, I felt super prepared to forgive and forget my sins of the past week.

And to do penance in spoonfuls of roasted red pepper pesto and white bean dip.

{Amen.}

Sometimes payback is a bitch.

But sometimes it’s totally delicious.

This is definitely the latter kind of situation.

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With the sweet and almost buttery flavor of roasted red peppers combined with a fresh hit of basil, this dip will certainly leave you feeling refreshed and completely satisfied.

And when you have trouble stopping at just five spoonfuls?  Well.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you…

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For the recipe, head on over to Heather of Girlichef’s blog.  I made the white bean dip variation on what was originally a pesto recipe.  The only changes I made were to omit ALL the oil and to use pecans instead of walnuts (I just used what I had on hand).  I served it on a sandwich with roasted eggplant and baby spinach.

For more information about The Food Matters Project and to see how you can join in, click here!

I am submitting this to Souper Sunday, which is hosted by Deb over at Kahakai Kitchen.

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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87 Responses to Roasted Red Pepper Pesto and White Bean Dip {The Food Matters Project}

  1. Yum! Love the idea of using it as a spread. Such a versatile recipe! I think next time I make it I’m going the white bean route (but I’m slightly concerned it would make it out of the food processor!)

  2. SImply Life says:

    haha, I love this- last weekend we did a THREE HOUR walking chocolate tour and then I baked during the week….and coworkers brought in chocolates. it was fabulous. and then I got sick of chocolate. for a day. 🙂

  3. Maureen says:

    This sounds really good and that sandwich looks fantastic. I’m hungry again. Thanks.

  4. The only biking I can tolerate is spin. I actually made some PB banana vegan cookies you’d love!!!

    And krispie treats. I ate the whole pan. Don’t judge.

  5. And I thought I’d had every kind of pesto. Haven’t done roasted red pepper pesto, though! Looks marvelous!

  6. That sounds delicious! Is that a homemade bagel of sorts??

  7. Amy says:

    Roasted red pepper hummus? Sounds delicious!

  8. Debbie says:

    Looks just like something that I would love to have for lunch today. Love red peppers

  9. This looks ridiculously good, Joanne… Pecans??? White beans? Basil? Yum!
    Last week was sweet overload for me, too… with treats for Rob for V-Day, his birthday AND our anniversary this week, we have been spoiled!

  10. Your post had me cracking up! I’ve definitely had weeks like that with sweets….eek!! I wanted to make a sandwich using my pesto, but didn’t have any bread on hand. Now I’m going to go out and buy some because this looks delish! I love that you didn’t use any oil either 🙂

  11. Barbara says:

    Wow! You did go off the wagon. 🙂 And I love the way you’re making up for it….delicious.
    The tres leches cake would do it for me…it’s so rich.

  12. Mmmmm…pass me a sammie – that looks awesome! I’m totally making the dip next time.

  13. Hannah says:

    Sounds like a nice change of pace for me- I wouldn’t think to add nuts to bean spread/dip, normally. Now I’m tempted to try this with cashews, since that sounds like it would turn out luscious and creamy! And, I kind of love cashews. 🙂

  14. Lora says:

    This looks like the perfect spread for a bagel. I love anything pesto.

  15. Keely Marie says:

    looks great! I ate some on a sandwich the next day since it made SO much. great pictures!

  16. SallyBR says:

    Loved this post! Your remarks about running always bring a smile to my face…

    you know one of the things I love the most about running? How unpredictable it is. Sometimes you are sure the run will be awesome, and it sucks, from the first to the last step. However, sometimes it’s the opposite: you don’t want to start, you find all sorts of excuses in your mind to skip it (too cold, too windy, I “think” I have a headache), but you start, and it ends up as your greatest run ever!

    back to the post – I want to find out more about the Food Matters Project. Must google.

  17. Oh JoAnne! I always make a dip of some sort to get me through the week and this looks like this is going to be my spread, perfect for sandwiches and dipping veggies in. I need to make this, figures I have everything but the basil.

  18. Amy says:

    I gave 110% all week with my workouts and then destroyed it all yesterday with a corn dog and fries. Whhhyyyy? *shakes fists* DIP rules my life. But I justify it by using baby carrots as the carrier to my mouth 😀

  19. Gloria says:

    Wow ! amazing Joanne your pictures always make me hungry and are beautiful too!

  20. Nice! Love this idea. I need to spice up my white bean dip!

  21. Looks like a great eating week. I had my fair share of sweets but lagging behind in comparison. Need to work harder to keep up:)
    Four cupcakes is not bad. Look on the positive side, it could easily have been “only 4 left”:)

  22. you are forgiven Joanna!

    I would consider the pesto on the healthier side. Did visit Heathers pesto post earlier, it realy looks gorgeous!

  23. Hilarious! Sounds like a delicious week of sweets 🙂 Woohoo for a second date dessert too, btw!
    Oh, and I am loving both the pesto and bean dip!

  24. Love the idea of this as a sandwich spread! I’ll pretend I love it more than all of those other delicious items you mentioned.

  25. Mo 'Betta says:

    I love pesto…pretty much all kinds (however, seriously drooling over all the sweets – I have a sugar addiction I think) My plan was to make some spinach pesto and when I pulled the container of spinach out of the fridge….well, let’s just say it wasn’t fit for human consumption 🙁

  26. Claudia says:

    I covet this. Roasted red peppers and beans? Never did “healthy eating” seem so decadent.

  27. jesus christ woman. 16 miles? damn. you must be able to eat anything and not gain.
    tell me this is true or there is no hope for me.

  28. Megan says:

    That sounds ridiculously good. I love roasted red pepper just about anything.

  29. Shannon says:

    Mmm, what a fabulous dip, and sandwich to put it on! as long as you’re eating all your veggies (which i know you are), no need to stress the sweets. especially when you’re doing all that biking 😉 i got out for two runs this weekend… can’t recall the last time that happened!

  30. What a perfect red pepper white bean dip, and a great idea for how to use it! Thanks for sharing, Joanne. Your pictures are stunning as always.

  31. Tessa says:

    Your bagel-thin sandwich looks awesome. What a great idea to use this as a sandwich spread!

  32. 16 miles on the bike? My legs are like linguine after 2! The dip looks awesome, especially on the bagel.

  33. Yay, new dip recipes! I love white bean dip on its own but also like the idea of just adding more and more to it. Also totally know what you mean about a weekend full of sugar!

  34. Geni says:

    I love this as a sandwich spread. How fantastic!

  35. Lynn says:

    As I like to say with your recipes – I am SO making this. 🙂

  36. Monet says:

    Wow…what a great way to spice up what has becoming a boring sandwich (I’ve been making the same turkey sandwich for weeks!) Thank you for sharing sweet girl! I’m sorry I have been absent. I’ve been driving to and from Houston which has cut back on my blogging time. I hope you are having a great start to your week!

  37. grace says:

    whoever decided to package pre-roasted peppers deserves a pat on the back–what a great ingredient. 🙂

  38. Jenn says:

    Love your blog and love your take on the recipe! I snuck a peak at your brownies that were staring at me from below the pesto… mistake… now I may have to do penance too 🙂

  39. Beth says:

    I’ve had days (and weeks) like that too. At least the dip provided a happy, and healthy, ending!

  40. Johanna GGG says:

    Wow I am impressed by all the baking in your kitchen – I want to come over and be your test taster – please! and I am impressed by your payback – hmmmm I think I will leave the exercise bike to you but would happily go for a spin around town on a bike! Love the dip

  41. Roasted peppers and beans sounds like a perfect combo for a dip or spread. Yum

  42. Yum! What type of bagel/sandwich bread is that? I need it!!! I love the use of pecans – sounds delish!

  43. Lexi says:

    Hi Joanne, I used my leftover pesto as a spread for a sandwich and it was delicious. Thanks for the inspiration!

  44. Lexi says:

    Hi Joanne, I used my leftover pesto as a spread for a sandwich and it was delicious. Thanks for the inspiration!

  45. Kim says:

    I saw the bean dip variation over on Heather’s site and instantly wanted to make it. Imagine my surprise when you posted it! Great idea to put it on a sandwich. It looks terrific.

  46. Roasted red pepper pesto and white bean dip… sounds like something I could do penance for, if absolutely forced ;-). De.lish. Love your beautiful, luminous photos and how you break it down for us.

  47. This looks great Joanne…
    Trust me I am still loaded with Holidays eating which kind of extend always!!!!
    This dip is really good….

    B/W Doesn’t Myocardial Infarction makes Heart Attack sound so SEXY… LOL

  48. I love turning dips into spreads or fillings for veg sandwiches and this one sounds perfect! What a great way to turn the tide of a sugar binge! 🙂

  49. My goodness, this looks amazing! Glad I found your blog and hope to say hi again some time! 🙂

  50. Margarita says:

    Adding it to a sandwich is a great idea! Yum!

  51. sally says:

    Sounds a lot like my week–I ate way too many sweets! I think I need some of that dip to help me recover.

  52. Candace says:

    Red Peppers beg to be roasted at my house. After reading this post, they are going to be begging to be made into pesto and spread on just about everything. Yum!

  53. I sure do love quick and easy meals like this, especially when you need to reset from cupcake overload. The dip looks perfectly creamy and full of protein!

  54. Reeni says:

    Not only do I love the sound of the spread but the sandwich rocks! Completely delicious. After all them sweets I’d be craving this!

  55. What a nice surprise. I was reading this blog like i usually do, and you just happened to post about red peppers. We have a red pepper problem right now b/c we bought costco’s HUGE bag of red and orange peppers, and now don’t know what to do with all of them. We love cooking with them in pasta, eggs, etc. but needed more ideas. I wonder if it’s possible to mix these ingredients with a hand blender.

  56. Emily says:

    That looks like a great sammich!

  57. Gosh Sue, what a great lunch. It’s beautiful!

  58. I’d love some of this on a pita for my lunch tomorrow- guess I’ll have to pick up some basil. 🙂

  59. Miriam says:

    The pesto sounds completely awesome! Your week of sweets sounds completely familiar…
    I know! I need to lay off the sweets. 🙂
    Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

  60. I used up the last bit of my bag of walnuts to make this pesto. I have a plentitude of pecans so I’m glad to know it can be made with pecans instead. I was wondering!

  61. Whoa! You needed that Sunday to take a break from sweets. That happens to me ALL the time :). LOVE the description of this red pepper pesto.

  62. That Girl says:

    I think I will take my break from sweets tomorrow – there’s still one last piece of cake calling my name.

  63. Katerina says:

    Totally delicious I am sure! A very healthy choice to counterbalance all the sweets!

  64. Oh darlin, this looks SO good!! I’ve been craving white bean dip and you inspired me again just in time for me to go grocery shopping tomorrow. 🙂 xo

  65. Love me some hummus/white bean dip! Seriously, i have it every night with my crackers while i am cooking dinner. I love this flavor and that sandwich looks so good I could just scream!

  66. daphne says:

    I am such a fan of dips so this will work so well for me. It never hit me to combine BOTH together.

  67. I wouldn’t blame you if I couldn’t stop eating until all is gone! Looks irresistible!

  68. vianney says:

    payback is yummy… great swap to use pecans..

  69. Nicole, RD says:

    It can’t be too painful to behave with food like this. YUM! And red velvet cupcakes? I mean, what’s better than that to splurge on? And tres leches cake on a second date? Ooo la la! I love hearing your your dating 🙂

  70. Pam says:

    Who needs meat on a sandwich when it has so many wonderful flavors in it. It looks tasty! Almost as tasty as your four red velvet cupcakes… almost. 🙂

  71. Jenna says:

    I love the idea of turning a dip into a sandwich spread. Is it lunchtime soon??

  72. That’s the kind of penance I can live with!
    I could just steal that sammie right now. ?

  73. Ooo this sounds like a really good sandwich spread!

  74. omg red pepper pesto sounds fantastical! genius!

  75. Natalie says:

    sometimes i swear we are the same person, living 2 different lives 🙂 thankfully we both love vegetables as much as we love desserts, right? at least that’s how i justify it… 🙂

    i’ve been making hummus every week to dip veggies in…but i’m thinking the white bean dip would be an equally good dip to make!!

  76. Carolyn Jung says:

    I think that looks like proper — and downright delicious — penance after four cupcakes. LOL

  77. Cara says:

    Forget dessert, I want to hear more about the second date! (And PS I love the idea of turning pesto into a healthier white bean spread!)

  78. Lori says:

    Oh, the Valentine’s week dessert overload. I was right there with you. My MI run was yesterday and fortunately it was only 2 miles. Then again, I’m not sure it’s such a good thing that a run that short could cause cardiac complications. Back on track this week though and I’m loving this sammie!

  79. Nicole says:

    Ohhhhh I know that feeling. I overindulge for a few days, then go to run it off, and my body wants to attack me!

    I LOVE roasted peppers and they sound amazing blended with white beans. I really love the looks of the bread, too. Where’s it from??

  80. Catherine says:

    Dear Joanne, This is a perfect meal!! I would love it with a nice cup of coffee. Blessings my dear, Catherine xoxo

  81. The pic of the jar of red peppers is beautiful!!

  82. Chris says:

    I like roasted red pepper pesto better than ordinary basil pesto, it seems to go with so many more dishes. Looks great Joanne.

  83. Deborah says:

    This is my kind of repentance!!

  84. It looks like a fabulous sandwich spread. I do love roasted red peppers. 😉 Thanks for sharing with Souper Sundays.

  85. Kevin says:

    I always like a nice roasted red pepper dip/pesto and using dips/pestos in sandwiches is always fun!

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