An angel in the kitchen: Beetroot Dip

Friday, January 3, 2020

Beetroot Dip

We love beetroot & cook it often.
Bayfresh at our local Farmers' Market grow fabulous beetroot, as does Epicurean & Gay & Robert, when they're not too busy growing plants.
There are so many gorgeous colours now too.
It's marvellous used cold from the fridge or grated & mixed with a simple dressing & kept in the fridge for the week.
Sometimes, I roast beetroot, other times just simmer them until tender- slip off the skins & they're all ready to use. This delicious dip is so simple to make, ever so colourful & goes with almost everything.

Aren't choggia fascinating!

Whatever your preference- good old red beets or others.
Soak a cup of raw cashew pieces in water for an hour (or overnight if you've thought ahead)
Cook around 350 grams of beetroot until tender.
Drain the cashews thoroughly & slip the skins off the beets.
Place them both in to a bowl together- cut the beet up a bit.
Add 1 tbsp of red wine vinegar, or lemon juice or white balsamic vinegar- whichever you have one hand, or takes your fancy.
1/2 tsp sea salt & loads of freshly ground black pepper.
1/2 tsp cumin seeds ground in a mortar & pestle or spice grinder next then, if you like, add a 1/2 tsp honey.
Last thing- add 2 tbsp melted/softened coconut oil.
Add crushed garlic if it appeals. As soon as I find some onion weed "onions" I'll use a couple of those in the next lot.
Blend together with a stick blender or in a food processor.

Here are a few alternatives: instead of cashews use a cup of lightly toasted walnuts. Wild onion bulbs work as an excellent alternative to garlic- perhaps 6 or 7 bulbs would be great. Roll them with the flat of your hand on a hard surface & the papery skins come off, then process with the nuts. Olive oil is a good alternative to coconut oil you'll just get a different texture depending on which nuts are used & which oils. A little soy/tamari sauce in to the red beetroot dip is also nice.

The top version was made with red beets, yellow version was made with orange ones & the bottom bright pink lot was made with an equal mixture of the two.