Edamame Dip with Crudites

A vibrant and healthy dip made with edamame, garlic, and fresh herbs, served with crisp vegetable crudites. This protein-rich appetizer combines the smooth texture of pureed soybeans with bright flavors of lime and cilantro.

8 servings
43 min

Ingredients

  • 4 whole large carrots
  • 3 ribs celery ribs, strings removed with a vegetable peeler
  • 1 whole seedless cucumber (usually plastic-wrapped), halved lengthwise and cored
  • 1 bunch bunch radishes
  • 1 lb fresh or frozen shelled edamame (soybeans; 3 cups)
  • teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Cut carrots, celery, and cucumber into 1/2-inch-wide sticks (2 1/2 inches long). Cut radishes lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water and keep cut vegetables in ice water (to keep crisp) while making dip.

    15 min

  2. 2.

    Cook edamame in 1 1/2 quarts boiling water with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a 3-quart heavy saucepan 3 minutes, then reserve 3/4 cup cooking liquid and drain edamame in a colander. Rinse under cold water until cool.

    8 min

  3. 3.

    Dry saucepan and add garlic and 3 tablespoons oil, then cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until garlic is pale golden, 3 to 5 minutes.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Purée 2 cups edamame with garlic-oil mixture in a food processor until smooth. With motor running, add 1/2 cup reserved edamame-cooking liquid in a stream. Add remaining cup edamame, lime juice, sugar, pepper, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and remaining teaspoon salt and pulse until slightly lumpy. Add remaining 1/4 cup cooking liquid to thin if desired, then stir in cilantro.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Transfer dip to a serving dish and serve with vegetables, drained and patted dry, for dipping.

    5 min