I’m not a fan of thinking of Valentine’s Day as a “Hallmark holiday” because for me and my family it has always been a day about celebrating love. I don’t find anything cheesy or frivolous about that–it’s the very best thing ever! Plus, what is better than having a little magic and making a day a little bit more special than another day?!!!
In our house we always have a valentine-making party the weekend before Valentine’s. It started out as a way to make my mom friends feel special–I would invite their daughters over when they were little and these sweet girls and I would chat and craft and then on Valentine’s Day my friends would receive something beautiful from their little one! Every year since it has changed, and this year I invited a few adult friends over for a creative sesh, and then my 11th grade daughter and her friends had their own nighttime card-making fun after that.
Always, we make delicious baked goods, mostly which are vegan, gluten-free, and refined-sugar free. We make teas. Veggies and dips. And sparkling rosé! Little Green’s red beet hummus is always a bright, delicious, and special treat…and it helps keep the party healthy while also being festive. We hope you enjoy!
Love to all of you!!!!
xo
Christy
p.s. It’s not too late to sign up (free!) for The February Fix. We also have a week of healthy Food Delivery for purchase with KitchKat catering. Please order by midnight Feb. 19th for delivery Feb. 23-29.
p.p.s. The churro cake with dipping chocolate and the chocolate chip cookies in this photo are both from the Sweet Laurel Cookbook–my fave!
- 1 beets roasted
- 14 oz chickpeas
- 4 Tbsp. tahini
- 2 cloves garlic diced
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or tinfoil. Wash your beet and put it on the baking sheet whole, and cook it for 1 hour, or until it is easily pierced with a fork. Let it cool a bit, and then peel the skin off with a spoon or your fingers. It will be very stainy!
- Drain your chickpeas. Place the chickpeas, tahini, zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt, olive oil and beet (cut up a bit) in a vitamix or cuisinart, and blend until smooth. Lasts for 4-5 days in the fridge.
- Garnish with chili pepper flakes, pepitas, flat leaf parsley, and flaky sea salt. Can serve alongside veggies (cucumbers, celery, cauliflower, carrot sticks) or pita chips.
Did you know that beets are an amazing superfood? They have long been used for medicinal purposes because they have a stimulating effect of the liver's detoxification processes. The pigment that makes up their purple-crimson color (betacyanin) is a powerful cancer-fighting agent. They are also great for bowel function and for lowering cholesterol levels.
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