Vegan Roast Beetroot and Carrot Hummus

by Dominic Franks from DomInTheKitchen.com @DomInTheKitchen

I’m all about the dips at the moment.  I think they make an ideal start to a party, whether you’re in the garden waiting for the BBQ to heat up or chilling with friends on a rug in the park, something light and tasty to dip fresh crunchy veg and bread into is ideal and very summery! This roast beetroot and carrot hummus is so wonderfully luscious and pink it could be a fabulous velvet cushion on my new sofa. I love how the roasting of the veg just takes the hummus to another level.  I also love how gloriously simple it is to make, literally just bung it in a food processor and whizz till it’s a consistency you like.

Kitchen Tools Needed:
Burwell self-watering potted herb keepers
Cambridge Herb & Spice Carousel

Prep: 15mins

Cooking time: 30 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Serves: 8-12

Ingredients:

• 1 x 400g tin of chickpeas – drained and rinsed
• 1 medium beetroot – cut into quarters
• 2 medium carrots – cut into quarters
• 2 cloves garlic
• the zest and juice from 1 lemon
• 3 tablespoons tahini
• 3 tablespoons olive oil (you may need a little more)
• a pinch of salt
• a pinch of ground cumin

Pre-heat your oven to 180C (fan)

Place the carrots and beetroot into a roasting tin and drizzle well with oil. Season with salt and pepper and add some herbs such as rosemary or thyme. Roast for 30 mins or until the beetroot is tender. Set aside until cool.

Place the cooled roasted veg, chickpeas and garlic into a food processor and process for 1 minute until turned to a rough pulp. Add all the remaining ingredients and process until you have a creamier consistency. It will be slightly grainy but that’s ok.  Adjust seasonings, adding more salt, cumin, olive oil, or lemon juice if needed.

I’ve dressed mine with some toasted pine nuts and some wonderful seeded topper mix from the Cornish Sea Salt Company.

Tip: If your hummus is looking a little dry or you want to thin it out and make it creamier, add more tahini or a cube of ice, until you like the consistency.