VEGAN


CREAMY CASHEW BUTTER HUMMUS WITH ROASTED BEETS


Make this delicious tahini-free hummus with cashew butter. It will keep, covered, in the fridge for 2–3 days. If you’re in a hurry and there’s no time to roast the beetroot, serve it with raw vegetable dippers (peppers, celery, carrot sticks, fennel, cauliflower and broccoli florets).

SERVES 6

PREP 15 MINUTES

COOK 30–40 MINUTES

85g (3oz/scant ½ cup) cashew butter

2 x 400g (14oz) cans (3 cups) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp ground cumin

grated zest and juice of 1 lemon, plus extra juice for drizzling

2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

a pinch of smoked paprika, for dusting

1–2 tbsp mixed seeds, e.g. sesame, sunflower, pumpkin

sea salt

toasted pitta breads, cut into fingers, to serve

ROASTED BEETS

450g (1lb) raw beetroot (beets), peeled and cut into wedges

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp black mustard seeds

balsamic vinegar, for drizzling (optional)

sea salt

Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan)/425°F/gas 7.

Toss the beetroot wedges with the oil and mustard seeds in a large bowl. Place them in a roasting pan and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt. Cook in the preheated oven for 30–40 minutes until tender.

Make the hummus: put the cashew butter, chickpeas, garlic, cumin, lemon zest and juice and olive oil in a food processor. Blitz to a coarse-textured, grainy purée. If it is too thick, thin it with a little water, lemon juice or more olive oil. Season to taste with sea salt.

Spoon the hummus into a bowl and dust with paprika. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice and sprinkle the seeds over the top.

Serve the hummus with the roasted beets and fingers of toasted pitta bread.


VARIATIONS

  • Use peanut or almond butter instead of cashew.
  • For a creamier dip (for non-vegans), stir a little Greek yoghurt into the hummus before serving.