Hummus is a staple in my kitchen and it should be in yours too. Firstly, it's a delicious and very simple way to add protein, flavour and texture to almost any dish. It is perfect for amping up a boring work lunch salad or consumed as a 3pm pick-me-up snack that will actually carry you through until clock off.

This version will make you look like a master chef purely because of its colour. Perfect for the friendsmas lunch, or even a post-New Year's Eve side dish, as beets are full of antioxidants that help protect the liver, decrease inflammation and reduce oxidative stress. Personalise to your tastes by getting creative with your toppings. I’ll leave you with a few options but I encourage you to really trust yourself and get a little bit fancy - pretty much anything from the spice cabinet will suffice.

Pink Hummus

Ingredients
2 small beetroots or 1 large beet (cut into quarters)
1 can organic chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
1 lemon (juiced) - you can also grate the zest into mix for added depth of flavour
1 good pinch of salt
1 tablespoon of water, with 1 ice cube added (allow to melt slightly)
1 tablespoon of tahini
1-2 cloves of garlic (depending on what your day entails and how comfortable you are with garlic breath)

Additional Topping Ideas

1.
Good quality olive oil
Flakey salt (good pinch)
1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon caraway seeds

2.
Good quality olive oil
Flakey salt (good pinch)
1 tbsp. pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp. white sesame seeds
1 tbsp. smoked paprika

3.
Good quality olive oil
Flakey salt (good pinch)
Handful of chopped parsley
Handful chopped mint
1 tablespoon pine nuts
1 tablespoon cumin seeds

Method

Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius and roast beets for about 30 minutes or until a knife can pierce them easily. You are looking for a nice soft consistency, something that will blend. Allow to cool slightly before you move on.

Add everything into a food processor (or NutriBullet, stick blender etc) and blitz until creamy and combined.

If you need, add a small amount of water to achieve your preferred consistency.

Serve into a bowl and dress until your heart is content.

Chloe Wilkinson is a practicing clinical naturopath at The Good Health Co.