Beet Cashew Butter Dip Food

BEET RICOTTA DIP WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Use a large sheet of foil to form a nest around your beets, then toss with some olive oil and a healthy pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Seal in foil and roast in the top third of the oven until the beets are fork-tender, 45 minutes.
• Carefully unwrap the beets and let cool, then slice into quarters. Add the beets, ricotta, vinegar, a large pinch of kosher salt and several grinds of fresh pepper to a food processor. Blend until smooth, then taste, adding more salt and pepper if needed. Pour into a serving bowl and drizzle with olive oil, a few cracks of fresh black pepper and a sprinkle of flaky salt. Serve with the vegetables.

ROASTED BEET AND CASHEW DIP

Steps:

• Place the cashews in a small bowl and add enough water to cover the nuts. Set aside until ready to make the dip, about 5 minutes.
• Combine the drained cashews, beets, beet juice, dill, lemon zest and juice and cucumber in the carafe of a food processor. Pulse into a smooth paste, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the carafe as needed. While the machine is running, stream in the olive oil. Turn off the machine and season the dip with salt and pepper. Pulse until just combined and pour into a serving bowl. Garish with a drizzle of olive oil, chopped dill, and crumbled feta cheese. Serve with potato chips. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week.
• Leave the skins on the potatoes and slice as thinly as you can manage; you can also use a mandoline if desired. Pat dry with a paper towel. Heat enough oil to fill a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven halfway to 375 degrees F. Drop in the potatoes in batches and fry until crisp and starting to brown on the edges, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire rack-lined baking sheet pan and sprinkle with some salt.

TANGY BEET-CASHEW DRESSING WITH CHILE

Steps:

• Base dressing:
• Put the beet, water, nut or coconut butter or tahini, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and salt in an upright blender and blend until completely smooth. Scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula and blend again. Adjust the seasoning to taste and blend again. Use immediately, or store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Shake well before using. The dressing will thicken once chilled; thin it out with a little water if needed.
• Tangy beet-cashew dressing with chile:
• Make the dressing following the instructions for the base recipe, adding the chile to the blender along with the other ingredients.

BEET DIP

Steps:

• Place beets in a microwave proof dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and cook on high 10 to 12 minutes or until very soft and tender. Cool for 15 minutes.
• Place the beets, olive oil and vinegar into the bowl of a food processor and run until smooth.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Taste and adjust seasonings.

ROASTED BEET AND LENTIL DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F with 2 racks set in the middle. Stir together 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon of the oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, thyme, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt together in a 2-quart baking dish. Add the beets and stir to coat in the liquid. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the upper rack of the oven until the beets are fork-tender, about 1 hour, stirring the beets once halfway through the cooking time.
• Meanwhile, spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast on the lower rack of the oven until slightly darkened in color and fragrant, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely. Finely chop 3 of the toasted walnuts and reserve for garnish.
• Remove the thyme from the baking dish and discard. Cool the beets and cooking liquid slightly, about 10 minutes. Add the beets, cooking liquid (along with the cooked garlic), whole toasted walnuts, lentils, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to a food processor. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Season with the remaining 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar if desired.
• Transfer the dip to a small serving bowl and garnish with the reserved walnuts. Serve with pita chips and vegetables.