Tree-Shaped Cannellini Bean Dip with Pesto and Veggie Toppings Recipe
This festive Tree Dip recipe combines creamy cannellini beans and light cream cheese with vibrant toppings arranged to resemble a Christmas tree. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it offers a delicious and visually appealing appetizer that blends Mediterranean-inspired flavors like pesto, artichokes, roasted peppers, olives, and feta cheese, all coming together to create a fun and healthy party dip.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Base
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (preferably organic or reduced-sodium)
- 1 (8-ounce) block reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel cheese)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Toppings
- ¼ – ⅓ cup fresh or refrigerated pesto
- Yellow bell pepper (for the star) or a star-shaped cracker
- Rectangular slice of brownish or purple-black pepper (for the tree trunk) or a brown, rectangular cracker
- ½ cup chopped artichoke hearts (canned, not marinated)
- ½ cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers
- Kalamata olives, sliced horizontally into rings
- Sweety Drop peppers (tiny, tear-shaped peppers)
- 1-2 tablespoons crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese or tomato-basil-flavored feta
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: In a food processor or blender, combine the drained cannellini beans, reduced-fat cream cheese, and kosher salt. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure an even consistency.
- Arrange the Dip: Transfer the creamy base to a shallow serving dish. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to shape the dip into the outline of a Christmas tree, smoothing the edges and creating a gentle triangular shape.
- Add the Pesto Layers: Spoon small amounts of pesto evenly over the bean and cream cheese base, representing the green branches of the tree. You can swirl or gently spread the pesto to create a textured, festive look.
- Decorate the Tree: Place the rectangular slice of brownish or purple-black pepper (or a brown cracker) at the bottom center of the triangle to form the tree trunk. Then use the yellow bell pepper piece cut into a star shape (or a star cracker) at the top point of the tree to serve as the star topper.
- Add the Toppings: Scatter the chopped artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers evenly over the green pesto layer to mimic ornaments. Add rings of Kalamata olives, small Sweety Drop peppers, and sprinkle crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese or tomato-basil-flavored feta over the top as additional festive decorations.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled Tree Dip for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled with crackers, slices of baguette, or raw vegetables for dipping during your holiday party.
Notes
- Use reduced-fat cream cheese like Neufchâtel to lower calories without sacrificing creaminess.
- Choose organic or reduced-sodium cannellini beans to keep the dip wholesome and flavorful.
- Fresh pesto is preferred, but refrigerated pesto works well for convenience.
- Marinated artichoke hearts are not recommended as they may alter the flavor balance and texture.
- For garnish, if bell pepper star or pepper trunk are not available, use appropriately shaped crackers for ease.
- Refrigerate before serving to enhance flavor mingling and texture.
