Creamy White Bean Spread

From Bite Me (cookbook)

Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups canned white kidney (cannellini) beans, rinsed well and drained
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp water
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Directions:
1.  In a small skillet, heat oil over medium heat.  Add minced garlic and turn heat off immediately.  Allow garlic to sit in the oil for 30 seconds and then strain out garlic pieces, reserving the flavored oil.  Set aside to cool slightly and discard garlic from sieve.
2.  In a food processor, combine white beans, reserved garlic flavored oil, lemon juice, water, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne.  Process until smooth, about 20 seconds.  The dip may be refrigerated a few hours ahead of serving. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Asiago Crackers

another from Bite Me (cookbook)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
2 cups grated Asiago cheese
1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:
1.  In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.  Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut in cold butter until you have coarse crumbs.  Toss is Asiago cheese.  Add sour cream and stir until dough comes together.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface, divide dough into 2 and roll each half into a 1 1/2 inch diameter log.  Wrap each log in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours before slicing.
2.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3.  Slice logs into 1/8 inch thick slices and place on prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each.  Bake for 10 minutes, flip crackers over and bake another 10 minutes until golden.  Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.  Can be prepared ahead of time, cooled, and stored in an airtight container.

Red Beans and Rice

Ingredients:
2 cups dried red beans
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 onion, diced
pinch of sugar
ham hock or bacon
red pepper to taste
cooked rice

Directions:
1.  Wash beans.  Remove bad beans.  Soak in large pot of water overnight (drain, rinse and repeat in the morning).  Soak until ready to cook.
2.  If using bacon, cook and break it up (I use precooked bacon - about 2-3 Tbsp)
3.  Cover beans and all ingredients with cold water.
4.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until beans are tender (about 2 hours)
5.  Add salt to taste at this point - DO NOT add earlier - it makes the beans tough.
6.  Serve over rice