Healthy Beetroot Dip

I had one of those moments, you know the ones that occur every now and then when you try on your jeans - you know the ones that if you can't fit into them, you know you have to cut down on the cakes - and they were a little too snug for comfort. I knew exactly why they were too snug, and I knew exactly what I needed to do. It was to make this dip and to snack on it instead of snacking on other less healthy options. I find that when I am peckish, especially around the witching hour of 4pm, I need something crunchy and this dip is great as it gives a nice plain cracker some pretty colour as well as a fabulous taste. It's also pretty easy with a total of 3 (or 4) ingredients although I will say that most of the work is in the actual preparation of the beetroot.

This is a seriously great dip and I think this was helped along by two things that I bought in the Easter Show's Best of Show Deli bag: the fabulous Pane Croccante by Brasserie Bread that I served it with from and the ambrosially creamy Country Valley Lush natural yogurt. I didn't use any fresh herbs as I only had basil and I wasn't sure if that would work but rest assured it is good without them. Something that I do find is that with beetroot you do get an "earthy" or "dirt" flavour but I didn't detect any with this dip. And did I mention the jeans now fit again?

Healthy Beetroot Dip

An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella

• 3 fresh beetroots

• 5 cloves good quality garlic

• 250ml natural Greek style yogurt

• fresh herbs like dill or mint (optional)

• crackers to serve

Step 1 - Preheat oven to 200c/400F. Wash beetroot and trim the tops so that 1-2cms remain (about an inch). Place trimmed beetroot on a baking tray along with the garlic still in it's skin and cover with foil and bake for 1 hour until it becomes soft. Cool thoroughly and then place your surgeon's latex gloves on and peel the skin off. Cut into quarters and remove garlic from skin.

Step 2 - Place the beetroot pieces, garlic, yogurt and herbs if using and process until well blended. Scrape down sides once or twice just to make sure it is combined.

Step 3 - Break up croccante and serve with dip.