Description
A vibrant and flavorful Mediterranean dip featuring sun dried tomatoes blended with garlic, fresh herbs, olive oil, and a hint of lemon juice. Perfect as a spread or accompaniment to bread, crackers, or vegetables, this easy-to-make dip captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine with a fresh, zesty taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Sun Dried Tomatoes
- 1 cup sun dried tomatoes, drained if oil-packed
Garlic
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and roughly chopped (or 3 cloves roasted garlic, squeezed out of skins)
Herbs and Flavorings
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
Oils
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Drain the sun dried tomatoes if they are oil-packed to avoid excess oiliness in the dip. Roughly chop the tomatoes to make blending easier and to ensure an even texture.
- Garlic Prep: Peel and roughly chop the fresh garlic cloves. If you are using roasted garlic, simply squeeze the softened cloves out of their skins for a milder flavor.
- Mixing: Place the chopped sun dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil and parsley into a food processor. Pulse several times to break down the ingredients into smaller pieces.
- Add Olive Oil: While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to emulsify the mixture. This process will help create a smooth and creamy texture for the dip.
- Season: Add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the mixture. Blend again until the dip reaches your desired consistency. For a chunkier texture, pulse fewer times; for a smoother dip, blend longer.
- Taste and Adjust: Sample the dip and adjust seasoning as needed by adding more lemon juice or salt according to your preference.
- Chill: Transfer the dip to a container and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together and intensify, resulting in the best taste experience.
Notes
- Use oil-packed sun dried tomatoes for richer flavor, but drain excess oil to control the dip’s texture.
- Roasted garlic offers a sweeter, milder garlic flavor and can be used as an alternative to raw garlic.
- This dip pairs wonderfully with fresh bread, crackers, vegetable sticks, or as a spread in sandwiches.
- For a vegan-friendly version, ensure the olive oil and all ingredients meet vegan standards (all ingredients are naturally vegan).
- Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
