Crispy Beans and Juicy Tomatoes Over Tahini Yogurt Recipe
This vibrant and wholesome recipe features crispy roasted cannellini beans and juicy, caramelized cherry tomatoes served over a luscious tahini-infused coconut yogurt. Complemented by fresh baby arugula and zesty lemon, this dish offers a delightful balance of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors, perfect for a light lunch or dinner served with crusty bread or pita.
- Author: Sophie
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegan
Beans and Vegetables
- 5 fat garlic cloves
- 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon plus ½ teaspoon dried oregano, divided
- Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper, to taste
- 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes (about 22 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon organic cane sugar
- 3 to 4 handfuls baby arugula (1½ to 2 ounces)
Tahini Yogurt
- 1 large lemon
- 8 ounces creamy coconut yogurt
- 3 tablespoons well-stirred tahini, plus more as desired
- ¼ heaping teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper (or ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper)
Serving
- Crusty bread or pita, for serving
- Preheat Oven: Arrange an oven rack in the top third and another on the lowest level. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare Garlic: Thinly slice 3 of the garlic cloves; set aside the remaining 2 cloves for the tahini yogurt preparation.
- Dry and Season Beans: Transfer the drained cannellini beans to a clean dish towel and gently rub to remove moisture without crushing. Toss beans on a rimmed sheet pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ample freshly ground black pepper. Taste a bean and adjust salt as necessary. Spread beans evenly in a single layer.
- Prepare Tomatoes: In a 13-by-9-inch baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, cane sugar (reduce to ½ teaspoon if tomatoes are very sweet), sliced garlic, and remaining ½ teaspoon oregano. Drizzle with 1½ tablespoons olive oil, heaping ½ teaspoon salt, and generous black pepper. Toss thoroughly by hand to coat.
- Roast Beans and Tomatoes: Place the tomato pan on the top oven rack and the bean pan on the bottom rack. Roast both for 25 minutes. Check doneness: tomatoes should be wrinkled and starting to burst (larger tomatoes may need 5 more minutes); beans should be golden, crispy, and split open. If not done, shake the bean pan and roast for an additional 5 minutes.
- Make Tahini Yogurt: While roasting, zest one lemon finely into a bowl, then halve the lemon and add 2 tablespoons of juice. Grate the remaining 2 garlic cloves into the bowl. Add the coconut yogurt, tahini, ground coriander, Aleppo pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir everything to combine well. Adjust seasoning with more salt, lemon juice, or tahini as desired. Cover and refrigerate until serving, up to 3 days.
- Assemble and Serve: Spread the tahini yogurt evenly on a serving platter. Spoon the roasted tomatoes on top, reserving their juices for the arugula. Scatter the crispy beans over the tomatoes. Add the baby arugula on top, drizzle with the pan’s tomato juices, squeeze additional lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper if desired. Toss the arugula gently with your hands. Serve with crusty bread or pita for scooping.
Notes
- Removing moisture from the beans before roasting helps them crisp up nicely.
- If you prefer a less spicy tahini yogurt, reduce or omit the Aleppo pepper.
- If fresh oregano is available, it can be substituted for dried for a fresher flavor.
- The recipe is vegan-friendly by using coconut yogurt instead of dairy yogurt.
- Use ripe and sweet cherry tomatoes for the best caramelization and flavor balance.
- Leftover tahini yogurt can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and used as a flavorful dip or sauce.
Keywords: cannellini beans, roasted beans, cherry tomatoes, tahini yogurt, vegan recipe, Mediterranean, healthy lunch, creamy coconut yogurt