This roasted garlic and purple cauliflower hummus is a colorful twist on the classic dip. It’s just as easy to make and adds a whole new level of flavor and nutrients. Serve this creamy purple cauliflower recipe with easy homemade pita chips. And check out my green goddess hummus recipe.
Table of Contents
Why Love This Recipe
- It’s yummy: The sweetness of the cauliflower and the rich, caramelized notes of the roasted garlic complement each other perfectly. The garlic adds a depth and complexity to the hummus that will keep you coming back for more.
- Unique and vibrant color: The gorgeous purple hue of the cauliflower gives this hummus a striking appearance. It’s like a work of art on your plate, instantly catching the eye and adding a vibrant touch to any meal or gathering.
- It’s healthy: This cauliflower is packed with nutrients. It contains antioxidants that support your overall health and well-being. Additionally, cauliflower is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, making this hummus a nutritious choice.
- Easy to make: Despite its impressive flavors and appearance, this hummus recipe is surprisingly easy to make. Roasting garlic and cauliflower is a straightforward process, and once they’re ready, it’s just a matter of blending everything together.
- Perfect for meal prep: Whip up a batch of this roasted garlic and purple cauliflower hummus and store it in the fridge. It makes for a convenient and healthy snack option throughout the week. Pair it with your favorite dippers, and you have a satisfying and nutritious snack at your fingertips.
What is Purple Cauliflower?
You may have come across its pale cousin, the regular white cauliflower. The stunning purple variety is like the eccentric cousin that always steals the spotlight. With its rich hue and eye-catching appearance, it adds a touch of excitement to any dish.
Purple cauliflower is cultivated through selective breeding to enhance its natural purple pigmentation. While the shape and texture of purple cauliflower are similar to white cauliflower, its vibrant hue adds a visual appeal to dishes, making it an attractive and eye-catching food.
In terms of taste and texture, purple cauliflower is quite similar to white cauliflower. It has a mild, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor, though some people may perceive a subtle difference in taste. It has a firm yet tender texture, making it versatile for various cooking methods such as roasting, steaming, or stir-frying.
The Evolution of Hummus
Hummus has come a long way from its ancient Middle Eastern roots. It’s like a globetrotter, adapting and evolving as it spreads across cultures. Traditionally made with chickpeas, tahini, garlic and lemon juice, this dip has now become a canvas for culinary creativity. From beet hummus to avocado hummus, there’s no shortage of delicious variations.
The Magic of Roasted Garlic
Roasted garlic is like a secret weapon that transforms dishes due to its rich, mellow flavors. Roasting garlic takes it from sharp and pungent to creamy and sweet. As it bakes in the oven, the cloves soften, caramelizing to perfection. When you add roasted garlic to your dip, it infuses the dip with a depth of irresistible flavor.
Ingredients Needed
- Head of Purple Cauliflower: This is the star of the show! Purple cauliflower brings not only color but also a subtle sweetness and nuttiness to the dish. We sourced this cauliflower from our local Sprouts.
- Head of Garlic: Roasted garlic adds a rich and mellow flavor. You’ll roast the entire head of garlic until the cloves become soft and caramelized.
- Tahini: Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It’s a staple in traditional hummus recipes and adds a creamy texture and a slightly nutty taste.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a tangy and bright flavor. It helps balance the richness of the roasted garlic. Believe it or not, it also brightened up the purple color!
- Olive Oil: The olive oil adds richness and smoothness. We’ll also use it to roast the garlic and cauliflower as well as additional drizzles for garnish.
- Cumin: Cumin is a warm and aromatic spice that adds a hint of earthiness and depth. It complements the flavors of the roasted garlic and cauliflower, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Salt and Pepper: Adjust the amount of salt and pepper according to your preference.
- Garnishes: For the finishing touches, we garnished with olive oil, sesame seeds, parsley and pine nuts.
How to Make Roasted Garlic Purple Cauliflower Hummus
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prep the Garlic: To prepare the garlic for roasting, start by slicing off the top of the whole garlic head to expose the cloves. Instead of using foil, which we prefer to avoid in baking, we have a handy tip from Buttered Side Up. Place the garlic head on a small sheet of parchment paper and give it a delightful drizzle of olive oil. Next, wrap the parchment paper around the garlic, creating a neat packet. To keep everything in place, tie the packet securely with twine. This method ensures that the garlic roasts beautifully without the need for foil.
Prep the Cauliflower: Remove the leaves and stem from the purple cauliflower head. Cut it into florets and place them on a separate baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Drizzle the cauliflower florets with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
Place garlic packet on same baking sheet as the cauliflower.
Roast the Veggies: Place both the garlic packet and the cauliflower florets in the preheated oven. Roast the garlic for about 30-35 minutes, or until the cloves are soft and golden. Roast the cauliflower for about 20-25 minutes, or until tender. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.
Make the Hummus: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and transfer them to a food processor. Add the roasted purple cauliflower florets, tahini, fresh lemon juice, cumin and olive oil.
Process the mixture until smooth and creamy. If needed, add a little water, one tablespoon at a time, to achieve the desired consistency.
Season to taste with salt and black pepper..
Transfer the purple cauliflower hummus to a serving bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with parsley, sesame seeds and pine nuts for garnish.
Serve with warm pita bread, pita chips, crackers or fresh vegetable sticks. Enjoy the unique flavors and vibrant colors of this delicious dip!
What to Serve with Purple Cauliflower Hummus
- Pita Bread: Traditional pita bread is a classic choice for dipping. Cut it into triangles or tear it into bite-sized pieces.
- Vegetable Crudités: Serve an assortment of fresh, crunchy vegetables alongside your this spread. Carrot sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, cherry tomatoes, and celery sticks make colorful and healthy dippers.
- Toasted Pita Chips: If you prefer a heartier and crunchier option, try making your own toasted pita chips.
- Pretzels: Pretzels provide a satisfying saltiness and a pleasant contrast in texture when dipped. Choose your favorite pretzel shapes, such as sticks or twists, for a delightful combination.
- Tortilla Chips: Opt for a different flavor profile by pairing your purple cauliflower hummus with tortilla chips.
- Roasted Vegetables: Enhance the roasted flavor by serving it alongside roasted vegetables. Roasted bell peppers, brussels sprouts, eggplant slices, or zucchini wedges provide a savory and complementary combination.
- Grilled Flatbread: Slice up some slightly charred grilled flatbread or naan into manageable pieces.
- Olives: Set out a bowl of assorted olives alongside your hummus for a burst of tangy and briny flavors.
- Cheese Crisps: For a unique twist, try serving purple cauliflower hummus with homemade cheese crisps. Simply bake grated cheese until it melts and turns crispy.
- Mezze Platter: Add this yummy dip to your Mediterranean inspired charcuterie board!
Storing Leftover Hummus
Transfer the hummus to an airtight container. Before sealing the container, take a moment to smooth out the surface of the hummus. Create a slight indentation in the middle and pour a thin layer of olive oil on top. This extra layer of oil acts as a barrier, helping to prevent the dip from drying out. Store in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 5-6 days.
If you love hummus and are looking for a delicious and healthy twist on the classic dip, give this roasted garlic and purple cauliflower hummus recipe a try. It’s easy to make, full of flavor and adds a beautiful pop of color to any plate. Let us know in the comments below your favorite purple cauliflower recipe!
Lookin for more dip recipes?
Roasted Garlic and Purple Cauliflower Hummus
Ingredients
- 1 head of purple cauliflower
- 1 head of garlic
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for roasting garlic and cauliflower
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- olive oil, parsley, sesame seeds and pine nuts for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prep the Garlic: To prepare the garlic for roasting, start by slicing off the top of the whole garlic head to expose the cloves. Instead of using foil place the garlic head on a small sheet of parchment paper and give it a delightful drizzle of olive oil. Next, wrap the parchment paper around the garlic, creating a neat packet. To keep everything in place, tie the packet securely with twine. This method ensures that the garlic roasts beautifully without the need for foil.
- Prep the Cauliflower: Remove the leaves and stem from the purple cauliflower head. Cut it into florets and place them on a separate baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Drizzle the cauliflower florets with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
- Place garlic packet on same baking sheet as the cauliflower.
- Roast the Veggies: Place both the garlic packet and the cauliflower florets in the preheated oven. Roast the garlic for about 30-35 minutes, or until the cloves are soft and golden. Roast the cauliflower for about 20-25 minutes, or until tender. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.
- Make the Hummus: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and transfer them to a food processor. Add the roasted purple cauliflower florets, tahini, fresh lemon juice, cumin and olive oil.
- Process the mixture until smooth and creamy. If needed, add a little water, one tablespoon at a time, to achieve the desired consistency.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the purple cauliflower hummus to a serving bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with parsley, sesame seeds and pine nuts for garnish.
- Serve with warm pita bread, pita chips, crackers or fresh vegetable sticks. Enjoy the unique flavors and vibrant colors of this delicious dip!
2 Responses
Wow! This is such a great-looking hummus dish! It looks absolutely delicious and very tasty! The texture and color make this dish so enticing and tempting! I totally love it!
What a fun and unique recipe! I just love the aroma and taste of roasted garlic – it makes everything amazing! I would love to make this for my kids – I bet they would be so excited about the color that they’d gobble it right up. 🙂