This post is sponsored by Ocean Mist Farms, but all opinions are my own.

This fresh artichoke dip is so flavorful and such a crowd-pleaser if you serve it at an event or casual snack party. You know, TV watching, study-seshing, whatever.

And one of my favorite snacks is a hearty, healthy bean dip! When most people think of ‘bean dips,’ they think of hummus. But today I am sharing a velvet-y, lemon-pepper-garlic dip that uses fresh artichokes as the secret ingredient.

This Lemon Pepper Garlic Artichoke White Bean Dip is easy and super flavorful.

Vacation anyone? And I’m also sharing an amazing online contest. Ocean Mist Farms and a few other produce brands are sending one lucky grand prize winner on a $4,000 tropical vacation. And a few awesome cash prizes for the runner up winners. Yes, please! I would be so excited if one of my blog readers wins one of these amazing prizes. Details ahead! Be sure to enter to win after checking out today’s recipe…

update: this contest has ended.

Skinny Dips Sweepstakes. Ocean Mist has teamed up with some favorite fruit and veggie brands to help you celebrate the arrival of summer with a chance to win a premium getaway for two to a Sandals Beach Resort of your choice, valued up to $4,000!

Plus, two lucky secondary prize winners will win a $500 Visa Gift Card and four lucky third prize winners will receive a $250 Visa Gift Card!

These Ocean Mist Farms artichokes are so big, beautiful and fresh. Love the colors of green and purple accents!..

Lemon-pepper dreaminess!..

Dip deliciousness, right here. I love basic warm crusty sourdough bread or a whole grain bread. This is quinoa bread from my local farmer’s market.

Steamy artichokes. So luscious and magical..

Smart snacking is easy with this bean + veggie dip. This entire recipe has only around 500 calories. So you could totally share this with a friend and eat this entire thing. Beans and veggies and spices? Yes and yes.

Some optional ingredients you could add and still keep things healthy:

* raw hemp seeds
* nutritional yeast
* tahini
* fresh parsley
* spinach
* raw walnuts
* raw pumpkin seeds

White beans add texture, protein, fiber and vitamins…

Whipped perfection. I’m in love with this velvety texture

Lemon Pepper Garlic Artichoke White Bean Dip

By Kathy PatalskyPublished 06/10/2017
This summer-y bean dip features garlic, lemon, pepper flavors with a velvet-y white bean and fresh artichoke dip base. Pair with crusty bread, veggie sticks or pita. You can even slather on toast for the best avocado toast ever!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups cooked white beans
• 4 Ocean Mist Farms fresh artichokes – using the hearts and stems
• 1 1/2 small lemons, juiced
• 3/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
• 2 cloves raw garlic
• pinch of fresh lemon zest
• a few splashes of water if needed to blend
• Topping:
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp vegan cheese (optional)
• 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep your raw artichokes. Reserve those big tender leaves for eating on their own with a bit of lemon juice or melted vegan butter. Artichoke prep instructions in this post – with a how-to video!
2. Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend from low to high until velvet-y smooth. Blend long enough so that the blender warms the dip.
3. Pour the dip into an oven-safe bowl and top with the olive oil and vegan cheese.
4. Place in an oven on BROIL for 1-3 minutes, just enough time to warm the dip and melt the cheese on top.
5. Serve warm! Dip veggies, bread or spread on toast.

Yield: 5 servingsPrep Time: 00 hrs. 30 mins. Cook time: 00 hrs. 10 mins. Total time: 40 mins.

Nutrition

• Calories: 100
• Protein: 5g

Tags: dip,artichokes,appetizer,vegan,healthy,skiny dips,bean dip,snack,lemon

Enter the Skinny Dips Sweepstakes here, because we all deserve a vacay, yes?

How-to video for artichokes:

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Such a beautiful vegetable..

Tender artichoke hearts are so dreamy.

Prepping these feels like a meditative kitchen process for me. I just love unraveling the layers..

Enjoy everyone! Happy summer snacking..

Ps. Another favorite fresh artichoke recipe: Artichoke + Spinach Dip:

disclosure: This post is sponsored by Ocean Mist Farms, but all opinions are my own.