Beetroot Hummus

Directions

1. Heat the oven up to 200oC
2. Wrap the beetroot and four of the cloves of garlic (squashed but unpeeled) loosely in a sheet of foil so that it forms a loose ‘bag’ around them. Put them in the oven to bake for about 2 hours. They’re done when you can slide a knife into it with no real resistance. Then take them out and leave them to cool down.
3. Meanwhile put the walnuts on a tray and roast them in the hot oven for about 5-6 minute until you can smell them roasting. Remove and leave to cool.
4. Put a saucepan over a medium heat and add the cumin seeds, shake the pan over the flame for about 45 seconds and as the nutty aroma starts to rise, pour out the seeds onto a plate to cool. Crush the cumin seeds in a pestle and motar or grind them in a spice grinder.
5. Put the walnuts in a blender and blend them until they resemble breadcrumbs. Add the beans, a little oil and water and blend the mix to a thick mush – adding as much water as necessary.
6. Peel and dice the beetroot, add to the blender along with the cumin, cannellini beans and a good amount of black pepper. Squeeze the lemon and crush the garlic into the mix and add a couple of glugs of oil and water. Blend into a thick hummusy paste, adding water/oil as necessary to get the consistency you’re after.