White beans with roasted garlic dressing

2 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1smallGarlic head
2Bread slices, Italian, firm
1tablespoonLemon juice, fresh
2tablespoonsVegetable stock
4teaspoonsOlive oil, extra virgin
1teaspoonMustard, Dijon
pinchPepper, cayenne
15ouncesBeans, Great Northern, canned; drained and rinsed
1smallBell pepper, red; seeded, finely diced
2tablespoonsChives; snipped OR
2tablespoonsScallion greens; chopped
1tablespoonOregano, fresh; chopped OR
½teaspoonOregano, dried
Salt and pepper to taste
3cupsChicory or other bitter lettuce; washed and torn

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove 1 clove of garlic from the head; peel and cut in in half. Rub the garlic on both sides of bread slices; cut the bread into ½ inch cubes. Place on a baking sheet.

Remove the loose, papery skin from the garlic head and slice ½ inch off the top. Wrap in aluminum foil and place on the baking sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes, or until croutons are crisp and golden. Remove the croutons and set aside. Continue roasting the garlic for 20 to 25 minuts longer; it should be quite soft. Unwrap and let cool for 5 minutes. Separate the garlic cloves and squeeze ut the pulp into a smal bowl; mash with a fork. Whisk in lemon juice, vegetable stock, oil, mustard and cayenne.

In a medium sized bowl, combine beans, red peppers, chives or scallion greens, oregano and the reserved croutons. Pour the garlic dressing over and toss until well coated. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately on a bed of chicory. Serves 2.

per serving: 546 cal; 29 g protein; 11 g fat; 88 g carb; 399 mg sodium; 0 mg chol