Roasted Beet Hummus with Edible Flowers and Sesame Seeds

This recipe uses just a basic hummus recipe and adds a couple of roasted beets. It is easy, quick and so beautiful to serve. The beets do not add much of a flavor and you really do not pick up on the earthiness of the beet in the recipe. It just adds a little sweetness to the mix. You can throw this together in a matter of minutes if you buy all of your ingredients pre-made, such as canned chickpeas and pre-roasted beets. But, if you want to be a purist, then go ahead and make the chickpeas and beets from scratch. I suggest to buy the brand called Love Beets from the grocery store if you do not want to roast the beets. It is at most groceries stores, it is organic and very good and saves you time and the roasting step. If you buy the pre-roasted beets then you need to use 3-4 beets rather than the 2 medium beets suggested in the ingredients. Just add 3 and adjust the color and flavor with the fourth beet. I you use fresh chickpeas, then just substitute water to thin the hummus out rather than the canned chickpea liquid. Be creative when you decorate. I used edible Borage flowers that I grew from seed purchased at Bakers Creek Heirloom Seeds Company, but you can substitute pansies, marigold, impatien, bouganvillea flower or any other edible flower for color. I also used black and white sesame seeds for garnish, but the recipe below offers more options.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 0 minutes with purchased cooked items or 45 minutes if you choose to roast your own beets

Ingredients:

1 can chickpeas, drained and liquid reserved

2 medium roasted beets (see below) or 3-4 mini pre-roasted beets (see above)

2 garlic cloves

3-4 Tbs reserved chickpea liquid from can

1 tsp salt

4 Tbs olive oil

2 Tbs fresh lemon juice

4 Tbs good tahini (sesame seed paste)

My Toppings:

Edible flowers (I used Borage)

Sesame Seeds

Toasted Pine Nuts

Other Optional Toppings and Ideas:

Zatar Spice (A middle eastern spice available at middle eastern stores and upscale markets)

Sliced Radishes

Olive oil

Whole chickpeas

Or be creative!!!!!

For Serving:

Soft or toasted Pita bread or Pita chips

Crudite (Vegetables)

Directions:

Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust the color with less or additional beets. Adjust the texture with additional reserved liquid from the chickpea can or water.

Top with edible flowers and sesame seeds or any of the suggested additional topping suggestions

To Roast Beets:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Peel beets, rub olive oil on beet, sprinkle with salt. Roast for 45 minutes or until the beet is tender when pierced with a fork. They must be tender to blend well and obtain a smooth texture.