Armenians have lived in the Middle East for many years and we have adopted the culture and cuisine like our own. This is probably why we make dishes like beet hummus very often because we grew up eating it.
Beet hummus is a very interesting variation of traditional hummus that includes cooked beets into the recipe, and that is how we get the beautiful vibrant pink color with a hint of sweet flavor.
There are different opinions of the exact origins of beet hummus and it is mostly believed that it has emerged as a modern twist of the classic dish.
I personally am a huge fan of dips and I try many of them and if they are not vegan I make the vegan version of it, and particularly for this recipe I think this is a great alternative to traditional hummus, that will take the classic recipe the next level.
Healthy and delicious
I think everyone loves the combination of healthy and delicious and I am no exception here.
Beets are very rich in nutrients, they are very high on vitamins and minerals and are considered great source of dietary fiber. It is also one of the best anti inflammatory food that is also very affordable.
When you go vegan you learn to look at chickpeas differently. You learn to become very creative and use all the ingredients that are high on plant based protein. I never thought that one day I will make dessert with chickpeas and its flour but it did happen and I am very happy with my discoveries.
Ingredients for the beet hummus
– 4 medium-sized beets, cooked or roasted and peeled
– 1 1/2 cup cooked chickpeas
– 3 tbsp tahini
– 1 medium fresh lemon
– 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Water if needed
– Toppings (optional): chopped fresh parsley, cumin seeds, extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
1. First, start by cooking or roasting the beets. You can boil them until tender, or roast them in the oven, but once cooked, allow them to cool and then peel them.
2. In a food processor or blender, mix the cooked beets, chickpeas, tahini, fresh lemon juice and the rest of the ingredients.
3. Blend the ingredients until you get a smooth and creamy texture. You can add more water if the consistency is thick.
4. Adjust the seasoning if needed, you can add more lemon juice, salt, or cumin if you like, I prefer it with more intense flavours.
5. Transfer it to a serving dish and garnish it with chopped fresh parsley, cumin seeds, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Serve this delicious home made dip with pita bread, fresh vegetables and enjoy every bite of it.