Looking for a versatile and delightful vegetarian meal that fits any time of day? Two words: Caesar Beans This delectable dish brings together the rich flavors of a classic Caesar dressing with the wholesome goodness of white beans, all piled high on perfectly toasted sourdough slices. Whether you’re craving a hearty vegetarian breakfast, a satisfying lunch, a simple dinner, or a scrumptious snack, this recipe has you covered. Plus, with its simple preparation, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy dish ready in no time.
Here’s What You’ll Need
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds a rich and fruity flavor to the Caesar dressing, enhancing its creaminess and contributing to the overall taste profile. Mayonnaise: Provides creaminess and a velvety texture to the Caesar dressing. It’s a key ingredient that helps bind the flavors together. Dijon Mustard: Adds depth and a slight tanginess to the dressing, enhancing its flavor complexity and creating a well-rounded taste. Lemon Juice: Brings a refreshing zing to the Caesar dressing, balancing the richness of other ingredients and providing a bright and vibrant flavor. Garlic: Infuses the dressing with a savory and aromatic note, creating a signature Caesar flavor that’s both comforting and aromatic. White Beans (Cannelli or Great Northern): The heart of the recipe, these beans add a creamy texture and absorb the delicious Caesar dressing, creating a satisfying and protein-rich base. Fresh Grated Parmesan: Elevates the dish with its nutty and savory flavor. Using freshly grated parmesan ensures a superior flavor compared to pre-grated options (strict vegetarians should look for parmesan that is labelled “vegetarian”). Ground Black Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor profile with a subtle kick and complements the creaminess of the beans and dressing.
How to make Caesar Beans
Step 1: Making the Caesar DressingIn this step, you’ll create the creamy and flavorful Caesar dressing that forms the base of this recipe. Blitz the Caesar ingredients together until just combined. Be cautious not to over-blend, as excessive blending can cause the dressing to separate. Step 2: Preparing the Beans Now, you’ll incorporate the white beans into the flavorful Caesar dressing. Open and drain a can of white beans (like Cannelli or Great Northern beans). These beans are chosen for their creamy texture that pairs perfectly with the dressing. Gently stir the beans, parmesan, and pepper into the Caesar dressing, ensuring they’re well coated. The beans provide a protein-packed and satisfying component to the dish, making it a nutritious option for any meal of the day. Step 3: Assembling the Dish Spoon the zesty Caesar beans generously over the toasted bread slices and serve! For an optional level up, briefly place the prepared toast under the oven broiler. This will lightly toast the top, melting the cheese and providing an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Can I make the Caesar dressing in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the Caesar dressing ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just give it a good stir before using it in the recipe.
Can I use a different type of beans in this recipe?
Absolutely! While the recipe recommends Cannelli or Great Northern beans for their creamy texture, you can experiment with other types of beans like navy beans or butter beans.
Why is fresh grated cheese better than pre grated?
Using freshly grated cheese instead of pre-grated cheese brings a noticeable difference to the flavor and texture of dishes. Pre-grated cheese often contains additives like anti-caking agents to prevent clumping, which can affect the taste and meltability of the cheese. Additionally, pre-grated cheese tends to have a drier texture, making it less rich and cream.
Serving Ideas
I don’t know whether to call this beans on toast breakfast, lunch or dinner! So here are a few serving ideas for it:
Meal Prep It: Prep the beans in advance and spoon onto toast when you’re ready to serve it. Take It Camping: Throw the prepared Caesar beans in your cooler and toast the sourdough over the fire. Make It For Brunch: This beans on toast + mimosas = a match made in heaven. Make It For Girl Dinner: You know, dinner that’s so easy it might as well not be dinner (but so filling that it kind of is?) Add it to a wrap: It’s so tasty in these chickpea Caesar wraps to add a little extra protein!
If you liked these beans, chances are you’re going to fall in love with these Marry Me Chickpeas. Thank me later 😉
