Sweet and Spicy Spread

Sweet and Spicy Spread

YIELD: Makes 3 cups

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup - olive oil

2 T - honey, such as wildflower, orange blossom or clover

1 - large lemon, juiced, with zest from lemon

3/4 cup - tahini

1/4 cup - white vinegar

1 - red beet, roasted and peeled, quartered (should equal 1/2 lb. after roasting and peeling)

16 oz. can - chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained

1 clove - garlic, peeled

1 - jalapeno pepper, seeded, quartered

1/4 tsp. - sea salt

1/4 tsp. - ground black pepper

1 part - feta or queso fresco, crumbled

DIRECTIONS

Place ingredients for spread into a blender in the order listed; secure lid.

Select the lowest speed and slowly increase to high, blending for 45 seconds to 1 minute until desired consistency is reached.

Serve sprinkled with crumbled topping.

Recipe courtesy of Chef Bev Shaffer - Manager, Recipe Development at Vitamix