Who needs Red Velvet cake when you can have this savory, beautiful, garnet red dip with fresh, healthy vegetables…and quite festive too!

Beets are very healthy for you, garlic & beans are too. This dip is almost fat-free; the fat that is in it, comes from the olive oil which is good for you as well.

This is another simple recipe, after baking the beets for 45 minutes, the dip only took me 10 minutes to pull together.

This recipe will serve 4-6 people so if you have a larger crowd be sure to double it.

Roasted Beet & Garlic Dip

3 fresh beets, about the size of a plum though any size will do

2-3 cloves garlic unpeeled and roasted along with the beets (you may need to remove them from the oven sooner than the beets though)

enough olive oil to coat beets in roasting pan

sprinkle of salt (I always use Himalayan pink salt for the 84 essential minerals it offers)

1/4 tsp. sage

1/8 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp  rosemary

a few grinds or dash of black pepper

1 cup white beans (I used cannellini – it adds creaminess without dairy or fat)

a few tablespoons olive oil added during blending

Oven – 400°

Wash beets, cut ends off, cut beets into quarters, toss in baking pan with enough olive oil to coat, sprinkle with salt-add garlic cloves.

Bake for 45 minutes. Remove garlic cloves if they get dark, set aside to cool.

Remove beets, let cool 10 minutes.

Add beets and remaining ingredients a few at a time, leaving beans until last, to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

Put into bowl, cover and chill at least an hour. Serve with fresh vegetables such as peppers, carrot sticks, celery sticks, broccoli & cauliflower crowns or any other favorite veggies.