Trio of Vegetable Dips

Trio of Vegetable Dips
From: “Long Nights and Log Fires,” Ryland, Peters & Small 2009.

Choose one, two, or all three and serve with your favorite crackers or toasts. Serves 6-8.

Roasted Parsnip and Garlic Dip

25 g chilled butter, cubed
90 ml double cream
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon white pepper
500 g parsnips, peeled and sliced
1 garlic bulb, cut in half

Preheat oven to 180°C (Gas 4). Lightly butter a small baking dish. Put the cream in a bowl and add the salt and pepper. Put the parsnips in the dish with the garlic. Pour the cream over the top, cover with foil, and cook in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the garlic and let cool. When cool enough to handle, squeeze the garlic directly into the bowl of a blender and discard the skin. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth. Transfer to a dish and cover until ready to serve.

Beetroot and Caraway Dip

3 medium beetroots, uncooked
1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
90 g sour cream
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
Sea salt and white pepper

Put the beetroots in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil and let boil for 45-50 minutes, until tender and easily pierced with a skewer. Drain and let cool. When cool enough to handle, peel and discard the skins. Roughly chop and put in a blender with the other ingredients and process until smooth. Season to taste, transfer to a dish and cover until ready to serve.

Spiced Carrot Dip

250 ml vegetable stock
4 medium carrots, chopped
2 tablespoons light olive oil
1 small red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large red chilli, chopped
1 teasppon fenugreek seeds
1teaspoon ground cumin
Sea salt and white pepper

Put the stock in a saucepan, add the carrots, oil, onion, and garlic and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until almost all the liquid has evaporated and the carrots are soft. Add the chilli, fenugreek, and cumin and cook for 2 minutes. Put in a blender and process until blended but with a rough texture. Season to taste, transfer to a dish and cover until ready to serve.