White Bean & Cheddar Dip {Kid Friendly}

Everyone loves a good bean dip. Hot or cold they are the perfect dish for easy entertaining or for a quick snack. The usual bean dip around our house calls for pinto beans and it's usually a layered dip. I wanted to make a snack for the kids, so I decided on a healthier bean dip instead of one filled with lots of fattening ingredients.

I prepared and baked the bean dip before the kids arrived home from school. That way this would prevent any questioning of ingredients and anyone saying "I don't like that". Plus I could sneak just a little bit to go along with my lunch.

The bean dip recipe I chose to make was for a White Bean & Cheddar Dip. My kids love cheese so I thought this just might work. When I attended my First Bush's Beans Culinary Event in Napa , I was so excited to come home and really work on incorporating more bean recipes into my families diet.

I wasn't worried about my husband because he loves beans just as much as I do. I knew my biggest hurdle would be with my children. After my trip and what I learned from Bush's Beans, I was really excited and ready for my challenge. I knew it was not going to be easy, but it's defiantly a positive work in progress. Just look at the photo above. That's Mackenzie and Gracie, the little girl I sit for.

They have no idea that they are eating a yummy dip that is not only good, but healthy as well. This photo makes me a very happy mom. You see just last year my daughter wouldn't touch beans unless I hid them. And the only bean dip Mackenzie ate was the Frito bean dip in those little cans. I'm so proud of her on how far she has come since I started on "Project Bean". It's so awesome she is even asking me to add beans to so many different salads.
Mackenzie's face was so funny when I told her she was eating a white bean dip. She said mommy it's so yummy and cheesy, I love it. Now Mr. Picky Pants Carson on the other hand turned his nose up to our delicious bean dip. But that's OK you have to know Carson to understand you see he dislikes so many things. But don't worry Carson cause you're eating beans my son and you just don't know it. Mommy is good at disguising them for you that you just don't catch on.

Here are a few examples Black Bean Brownies, White Bean Banana Bread and Kid Friendly Taco Burritos. It's all about baby steps with Carson. My next chore is to try and incorporate them into a healthy cookie and muffin recipe. I hope you enjoy this recipe and maybe you will even give it a try in your house. My goal is to not only bring you outstanding bean recipes, but also bean recipes that your kids will like as well. Let's get started and I will show you just how easy it is to make them yummy white bean dip.

Start by draining and rinsing one can of cannellini beans.

Combine the beans, chicken broth, garlic and cumin in a blender or a use hand blender with a blade attachment. Process until smooth. Add 3/4 cup of the grated cheese and blend by hand until combined. Place the bean mixture in a oven safe baking dish. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese all over the top. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Let cool and enjoy with tortilla chips, pita chips or vegetables.

White Bean & Cheddar Dip

1 - can (15.5 oz) cannelleli beans, drained and rinsed
1/3 - cup low sodium chicken broth

1 - garlic clove, minced
1/2 - tsp cumin
1 - 1 1/4 - cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine the beans, chicken broth, garlic and cumin in a blender. I used my Cuisinart hand blender with the blade attachment. Process until smooth. Add 3/4 cup of the grated cheese and blend by hand until combined. Place the bean mixture in a oven safe baking dish. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese all over the top. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

Serve with tortilla, pita chips, crackers or vegetables.

Recipe source: Fresh Baby's toddler foods cookbook

Disclosure: I have entered into a paid, formal partnership with Bush’s Beans. With that being said I was not obligated to write this post. I'm just really excited to share all the yummy new ways that I'm incorporating beans into my family's diet. Disclosure Check!

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