Intro
I recently found myself in a bit of a produce dilemma. A fridge full of beets and a family that thinks “they taste like dirt”. Being Dutch I am not able to let anything go to waste. Another solution was in order.
I began my search for a beet recipe that might entice my otherwise resistant family. The search came to an instant hault when I saw a photo of beet hummus. The magenta hue instantly caught my eye and my heart. I was sold. I know you aren’t supposed to judge on appearance but I did and I am not ashamed. What was found inside this stunning color was just as enticing as its outward beauty.
A creamy spread with tang, sweetness and a touch of heat from the raw garlic. I smothered my pieces of juicy roast chicken in it. I slathered it on my homemade pizza bianca (pizza crust simply baked with olive oil and salt). And I dunked a spoon right into the bowl when all my dipping devices were gone.
While my husband still labeled the flavor as “earthy” – and I don’t think he was saying this in a very good way – it was the most beets I’ve seen him consume in a long time. That’s all the reassurance I needed.
Beet Hummus
3 medium beets, cleaned, roasted, peeled then cut into chunks (stick whole beets in oven at 375* then roast until a knife inserts easily)
2 Tbsp tahini (sesame seed paste)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
salt to taste
Process all ingredients in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Tasted and adjust seasoning. Serve with a hefty drizzle of olive oil.
As if this hummus wasn’t enough – I have more for you today. The kind people at ChicoBag recently sent me a sample of their new, “produce stand collection” and they want to send it to you too!
From their site: The ChicoBag™ Company is introducing the new Produce Stand Collection! The new collection offers three different bags, each constructed from a different fabric designed to optimize freshness. Each starter kit includes three bags that all serve a unique purpose when paired with the right produce. The Hemp-Cotton blend is perfect for leafy greens, grains and green beans. The rePETe™ Mesh is great for apples, oranges and potatoes. The rePETe™ will keep your squash, broccoli and carrots fresh. All bags stuff into an apple pouch when not in use, making them easy to carry and store. The apple pouch features an attached carabiner, truly making this produce bag set unforgettable.
This company is so wonderfully passionate about getting rid of single use plastic bags. We recently took the bags out for a test drive at the Farmer’s Market and as you can see they were well loved. Since then I’ve been keeping my produce in them while taking a chill in the fridge and guess what? My lettuce is still crisp and my vegetables look just as fresh as the day I purchased them – which was now several days ago.
In my desperate search for snack bags to take with us in the car I reached for these bags which did the job quite nicely. I love the simple design and ease. Since having them in the house I haven’t found the need to purchase plastic bags.
I try to use reusable bags whenever possible but I so often forget to bring them with me to the store. I don’t know how many times I’ve told myself that I just need to leave my collection of cloth bags in the car – I still forget. But the apple pouch that comes with the “produce stand collection” makes carrying these bags around so easy. My boys were fighting over who got to carry the apple. I’m sure they won’t let me forget to take these bags with us.
Okay so now to the part where you can win your own.
Win your own Produce Stand Collection by ChicoBag™!
ChicoBag™ is hosting a Produce Stand giveaway and will be selecting 10 winners to receive the new Produce Stand Collection. Contest ends June 4th 2010. Click here to enter to win!
Good luck!
That amazing color of the beet hummus… looks so pretty! This is a great way to get my family to eat beets too, so thank you so much for posting!
that`s totally awesome recipe!
I’ve been wondering what to do when beets arrive in my produce box! I’ll look forward to trying your hummus recipe. The bags are great too, just what I need to keep the produce fresh- I ordered a set, didn’t want to wait to see if I was one of 10 winners in the drawing!
I have reusable bags everywhere and very rarely can I make myself to remember to take them into the store. grrrr…but I do recycle the ones I bring home..SO that is my justification of bringing bags home…many uses don’t ya know!
This might be the cure for me. I’m not a beet person and not long ago tried roasting them because everything tastes better roasted, right? Not so much. I’m going to try beet hummus and see if it hits me.
That beet cross section is beautiful!
What is it with people thinking that beets taste like dirt? They taste amazing! Or maybe those folks have been sampling some of the best soil ever! Anyway, I’m very excited to try this recipe. I planted beets in my garden for the first time this year. Thanks!
I have to try this beet hummus, I’m almost sure we will love it.
ps. I have a bag just like that!mine is a strawberry. Funny thing, I got it in Shanghai, China 😉 (after all everything is MadeinChina)
I really like beets and have converted many a beet-hater with great recipes. I will add this to my list of things to try. I have almost 50 square feet of garden space devoted to these colorful beauties! Thanks for sharing.
I’m going to make this recipe TODAY! I have so many beets in the garden. Great idea!!
Instant love! I’m a huge fan of beets but never tried to make beet hummus. It sounds and looks divine. I’ll definitely give it a try. Thank you for the inspiration!
I also try to use reusable bags as much as possible, but often forget to take them in to the store. I have one bag though, which looks like a ball when packed, and I carry that one with me all the time.
Awesome, those bags!!! Don’t like beets though, ate tooo many of them as a child and at some point just couldn’t eat them anymore (try teating them 3 to 4 times a week for 2 months, they’re not so great anymore…)
Ik had trouwens geen idee dat je Nederlands bent. Ik volg je blog al een tijd, was me nog niet eerder opgevallen!
this recipe rocks!
I’m not a big beet fan (even tho I live in the land of borsch!) but this sounds fabulous! Is there any substitute for tahini – I’m quite sure I couldn’t find it here. I do have actual sesame seeds though … any suggestions?
Yummy! I’m a hummus fanatic, and I actually love beets. I only had the canned variety as a child, and I hated those with a deep and abiding passion – but became a convert to the fresh ones as an adult, thanks to a roasted spinach and goat cheese salad. The Chico’s bags are great, I’d love a set of them!
Over here in Oz, ‘beetroot’ is a staple. You won’t find a dill pickle in your hamburger, but a nice slice of canned beet instead (along with bacon and a fried egg). A very familiar dip here is roasted beet (1 cup), 2 Tbsp horseradish, and 1/2 cup of something creamy (like creme fraiche, or a ricotta/yogurt mix). Blend it til smooth. The horseradish and beet is a great combo. Tasty!
I have not seen and eaten beet yet in my hometown.But i heard.Is it nice to eat?
I really enjoy Hummus and Beets, this sounds really tastey will be adding this to my collection of recipes… thank you for sharing
Wht is your sweet little boy carrying around his neck? Is is plastic or glass–and where can I get one? I have a son who would LOVE one! Does hehave bigs in there, or salamanders?
And I ‘ll have to try your beet hummus when it cools off again. I am definetely planting beets again this fall (they grow fall-early spring here). We loved the greens, but no one cared for the beets, so I’m still looking for the right recipe.
Brandy – It’s a little ladybug catcher. It’s plastic. A local toy store was giving them away on a day we happened to go in – the boys loved it – until they lost the lid. 🙂
I have been making hummus for years and just recently (well, ok 2 years ago) discovered that I actually love beets. What an intriguing and delicious-sounding combination!
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Jilly has created a vodcast to coincide with the wine guide were she brings her passion for traditional italian flavours in the Ristorante range.
The vodcast is viewable here http://bit.ly/abxhLY and links directly to the micro site including a wine guide download available and the Ristorante blog
If you need anymore information or images, just contact ristorante@brazenpr.com.
I love beets and this recipe is absolutely amazing. If hummus is good, imagine what is like with the earthy flavor of beets in it. This is wonderful.
I love Gojee because it’s allowed me to see all of these old posts. This beet hummus looks right up my alley. Just love the flavors and, of course, the colors. But I’m not going to eat it (or make it) while wearing white… that’s for sure!
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Ok, I LOVE beets,and I LOVE hummus, now I am going to make this today! To hell with any naysayers, I will eat it all myself!
( what a sacrifice for nutrition)
I like mine on the really thin thin thin wasa crackers, and with a touch of feta on top
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