entertain-tip #4... it's not NOPA, but it's close

if you live in san francisco, you know and love NOPA. you love the vibe. you love the food. and you probably don't even mind the hour+ wait because you can soak in the scene, relish in the communinal chatter, and stare at the mouth watering goodness coming out of the kitchen all while sipping on a most delectable cocktail (or glass of wine).

everything is good. everything. but i have a soft spot in my heart for the warm bubbly goodness of their giant bean appetizer. it takes the edge off of my grumbling stomach in a oozey, homecooked, comfort food way... and they're beans so they're high in protein and healthy, right?

but since i can't indulge in NOPA every day, i thought i'd try to recreate at home...

it's delish. and a perfect, easy yet impressive, appetizer to share with some of your greatest friends over a bottle of wine (like i did tonight.)

recipe for: "almost NOPA's" giant beans

**you can get all ingredients from your local trader joes

- a jar of trader joe's giant white beans in tomato sauce

- goat cheese crumbles
- panko breadcrumbs
- hint of pesto

pre-heat oven to 375. layer beans into a flat oven proof ramekin. add a heavy layer of goat cheese crumbles & slightly mix in with the beans. spatter little drops of pesto on top... not too much, not too little.

pop in oven for 10 minutes. take out and sprinkle a generous dusting of panko on top. pop back in oven for another 5 minutes until panko is browned and the sauce is bubbly.

serve with pita chips, sliced bread or crostini's.

yum.