Creamy Beet Dip Food

CREAMY BEET HUMMUS

Steps:

• In the large bowl of a food processor fitted with blade, place chickpeas, cooked beets, tahini, garlic, lemon juice. Season with salt and spices.
• Run processor for a bit, and while it's running, add 2 ice cubes (this helps whip the beet hummus to a nice creamy consistency.)
• Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. Run processor again if the hummus is too thick yet, adding a little more ice as it runs (you can let it run for 4 minutes or so until you reach your desired creamy texture.)
• Transfer beet hummus to a bowl. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle feta and parsley on top. Serve with pita wedges or homemade pita chips and veggies for dipping.

CREAMY ROASTED BEET HUMMUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wash and dry the beet and wrap in aluminum foil.
• Place in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes - 1 hour or until easily pierced with a fork.
• During the final few minutes of baking, mince the garlic and add to a pan with a splash of olive oil.
• Saute until golden brown.
• Remove the beet from the oven and let cool.
• Once it is cool enough to handle, peel off the skin (it should come off easily) and chop into chunks.
• Add to your food processor and pulse until you have very small pieces.
• Add in all remaining ingredients including the sautéed garlic and process until completely smooth. I like to let the food processor run for a good 2 or so minutes to ensure it's really creamy.
• Taste and adjust seasonings as desired or add more water for a thinner consistency. I sometimes add in one raw clove of garlic for a stronger garlic flavor. The food processor will heat the hummus a bit, so I suggest adding it to the fridge before serving!

CREAMY BEET DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Roast beets on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, turning once halfway through, until soft, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Peel beets under running water. In a food processor, combine beets, sour cream, 2 teaspoons juice, cardamom, salt and garlic; blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with zest to taste. Serve with pita, if desired.

CREAMY BEET SALAD

Steps:

• Scrub, top, and tail beets. Boil in salted water about 45 minutes, or until tender. Drain hot water from pot, and fill with cold water. Set aside until beets are cool enough to handle.
• Slice beets thinly, and transfer to a salad bowl. Add onion and cucumber.
• In separate bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, horseradish, dill, and salt and pepper. Pour over vegetables, and toss to combine. Refrigerate 2 hours, or overnight. Serve chilled.

BEET AND WALNUT DIP

Steps:

• In a blender (or food processor, they work equally well) combine the roasted beets, walnuts, garlic, vinegar and maple syrup. Blend to combine.
• With the blender running, drizzle in the olive oil. Season dip with salt and za'atar, if using. Blend into a smooth paste. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary (see note).
• At this point, the dip can be transported to an air tight container and kept, refrigerated, for up to 4 days.
• To serve: partially fold in the sour cream to the dip. I like to marble the red and the white colours instead of completely combining them. Spoon into a shallow bowl with plenty of surface area.
• Drizzle the dip generously with olive oil. Sprinkle with dill and black pepper. Finish with flaky salt. Serve with crackers or pita and cut vegetables.