This recipe is inspired by a lady who inspires me, everyday.
No, her nickname is not White Bean Salsa with Tuscan Pita Chips, but it is, Salsa.
Our girl, Chelsea, has had a few nicknames in her day, Bug, Chelsea Bug, Sissy, Sals, and Salsa. Salsa has stuck. For, what I think, are obvious reasons. When she was very little her auntie asked me where this name came from and I remember saying, “Like salsa, Chels is a little bit spicy but, oh, so good!” And nothing has changed!
Chels is always up for a good time with her sweet friends, but she can just as happily settle in with a good book on a quiet night. She loves her country music and honky-tonks but loves her ocean breezes and the lights of LA, too! Which is why our girl has decided to make the move. She’s trading in her cannoli and capicola of the North End for seafood and funnel cakes of the Santa Monica Pier. She’s walking forward toward a plan she’s had for herself for a very long time. And although the East Coast will be one bright light shy its twinkle, the West Coast will be all the brighter for having her.
And the story goes…
Way back in the day, 12 – 13 years back, Chels decided to re-decorate her bedroom. She changed it from an idyllic children’s garden themed design, complete with sunflowers and a garden gate, to Old Hollywood, adorned with black and white photos of 50’s starlets and a rather large and looming “Hollywood” sign mimicking that of the famous sign in the Hollywood hills. A sign she woke to every morning and fell to sleep to every night, for the better part of her teenage years and beyond. <—– This, I say, is the reason, she’s been so set on moving west for so many years. I often wonder if I had put a large sign that read, “Fairmount” (a small suburb of Syracuse) if she would have longed for Tully’s Tenders and the legendary light of Tipp Hill? I’m chuckling as I write this… Chels knows I jest.
I tease her, but she knows she has no bigger cheerleaders than that of her dad and me. She’s going west to fulfill a goal she’s had for a very long time and we’ll be happy to rack up frequent flyer miles to watch her goals unfold.
And how apropos that it be the weekend of her 23rd birthday that such large changes are about to ensue. And lucky us…en route to California she’ll be spending some time at home while she gets her affairs in order. Doesn’t get better than that!
So, in honor of this very special birthday, I thought I’d create a very special ‘salsa’ just for her.
White beans, tomatoes, garlic, hot peppers, fresh parsley, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Man, do these ingredients know what they’re doing. These flavors, along with crispy homemade garlic-y wheat pita chips is something that’ll surely be making multiple appearances at our house this summer.
Fresh, bright, a little bit spicy and oh so good! Hmmmm….sounds like someone I know!
Happy Birthday, my love!
Buon Appetito!
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White Bean Salsa with Tuscan Pita Chips
- Category: Appetizer
Ingredients
- Salsa
- 15.5 oz. Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 –3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup sweet onion, chopped
- 2 large, fresh tomatoes, cut in a small dice
- 2 – 3 Tbsp. hot Italian pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Pita Chips
- 3 small wheat pita loaves
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients for salsa in a medium sized bowl.
- Stir until everything is integrated.
- Let sit for an hour for the flavors to combine.
- In the meantime, prepare pita chips. Preheat oven to 375 F.
- Slice each loaf open at the seam, creating two rounds per loaf.
- Cut each round into 8 triangles; start by cutting each round into quarters then each quarter in half.
- Place them in a single layer on a sheet pan.
- In a small bowl combine the olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Lightly spoon oil mixture onto each wedge.
- Bake for 12 – 14 minutes, until crisp.
- Serve salsa and chips at room temperature.
Ciao!
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[…] 5. White Bean Salsa With Tuscan Pita Chips From Ciao Chow Bambina […]
Casually crying at my desk as I re-read this for the 15th time. Love you so much sweeta!
Awhhh! Now my floodgates have re-opened… That’s okay! I have a feeling by the end of the summer we’ll be ready to buy stock in Kleenex! Love you so much Sweeta!
Awh, love your viewpoint on the move, Annie. Change is in the wind and you’ve embraced it. She’s movin West, yet you’ll rack up those frequent flyer points! Good deal! This salsa is something I’m looking forward to trying. What is the hot Italian pepper? Would red pepper flakes be suitable? I’m always up for a delicious salsa and those pita chips add a nice contrasting texture! Delicious, mouthwatering recipe, Annie! Thank you, my dear!
Thank you, Traci! We are excited for Chels! Sure – you could use red pepper flakes, really whatever you enjoy that will add a nice layer of heat. I used Italian long hot peppers. 🙂
Such a great recipe and story :)Glad your daughter is going to the west coast, hope she likes it! And the salsa looks amazing, never tried white bean one, but this is on my list!
Thank you, dear! Thank you, thank you! 🙂
Loved reading this post Annie, you write so well 🙂 A very happy birthday to your daughter and wishing her lots of success in her new journey! The salsa looks amazing, I wouldn’t even need chips to finish that!
Manali, thank you so much! Chelsea and I appreciate that!! 🙂
My son has been California dreaming for the past few years, so I might be in your shoes at some point. I admire your positive attitude and support for your daughter. Wishing you and your family all good things in this new phase of life! And I could eat a bowl of this salsa for dinner!
It’s an easy thing to do…California dream…though we’ll miss Chels to pieces, we are so excited for her. And we’ve done the math – in the length of time it takes our girls to get home by Greyhound, is the same amount it will take us to fly to see her. Soooo – we can do this! Thanks for your sweetness, Andrea. And if/when your boy takes the leap, you call me, girlfriend!
Aaw this is such a sweet post, Annie. Happy happy birthday to your daughter and wishing her the best of luck to her in CA! Love that she inspired this salsa too, it looks absolutely perfect and so tasty with the pita chips!
Thanks, dear! You are so sweet! Chels will appreciate your well wishes! And so do I! 🙂
Wow this salsa is just calling my name! What a great idea to make it with white beans! And the pita chips sound incredible. What a great appetizer!
Thanks,Gayle!! This is a fun one!
Annie, this salsa looks delicious and this post is so much fun! I’m sure it will be hard to have your baby so far away, but I can’t think of many places I’d rather visit! Happy Birthday, Chelsea and good luck in CA!
You got that right, friend! All the way around! Thanks, Rachelle!
Annie, love that you made this white bean salsa for your daughter. . CA is lucky to have her (or have her soon) and you will get to visit!!! I love LA and CA! wishing her the best!!!
Awh! Thank you so much, Alice!! 🙂
I love reading about your love and support of your salsa.. i mean daughter 🙂 Hope she had a very happy birthday and I wish her the best of luck in all of her pursuits out west! This salsa looks delish! I looove white beans and made into a spicy salsa? Umm yes, please! Yummm! Cheers, pretty lady!
P.s. I adore the pic you shared on social media of your daughter and yourself! Two beautiful ladies! You have to be mistaken for sisters a lot!! ♡
I always support my salsa…I mean, Salsa! Hahaha! You crack me up! Thank you so much, dearest! You are too kind! 🙂
This salsa looks so delicious and refreshing. And these homemade pita chips are just to die for —so crispy and YUM!
The pita chips make all the difference! Thanks, Anu!!
That salsa looks so fresh and delicious, and I’m totally loving the homemade pita chips – yum!! 🙂
So delicious! Thanks, Christina!
I really enjoy your writing Annie and the story was very cool.
Living out here in San Diego I know all too well how inviting the West Coast can be. Came here to see a friend off to school from San Francisco and never went back! It’s so beautiful like this wonderful white bean salsa. Perfect!
I know, it is so beautiful. Chels got bit during her last semester of college last year and has done everything necessary to make her way back. I love hearing from people like you how wonderful it is. Thanks, friend… Thanks for your kind words.
Happy birthday to your daughter! I’ve never had a white bean salsa, but it looks and sounds sensational! Such a wonderful tribute, Annie 🙂
Thank you, Kathleen! Have a lovely weekend, friend!
These look delicious! Happy birthday to Chelsea 🙂 This salsa looks fabulous- pinning!
Thanks, dear! And enjoy the salsa!!
Happy birthday and best wishes on the move to Chelsea. She’s gonna love it out here. Weather is very different, but I bet she adjust great. This salsa looks so refreshing and perfect for a hot sunny day. Hope you enjoy your time with your daughter and get some good family time in!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Cyndi! Chels actually spent a semester in LA so she knows and loves the weather waiting for her, especially after the winter Boston just had! And oh yes, we’ll enjoy every second of our time together while she’s home! 🙂
Such a perfect tribute to your daughter, your witty writing style and yourself as a great Mom! Cheers to Chelsea – may she really enjoy her time in California with a cool bowl of salsa by her side.
Awhhhh! Thanks, my dear friend! Chels will carry your well wishes with her!
What a cute post! I love how you use white beans in the salsa! I love white beans but don’t use them very often. This is a great excuse to use more!
We love white beans too! I’ve also used them in hummus and it’s quite good! Thanks, friend! Enjoy!