Beets with Black Garlic Tehina, Pumpernickel and Dill

For the Roasted Beets:

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Make sure all the tops are removed from the beets and wash them under cold water to remove any dirt but don’t peel them. Toss the beets in 1 tablespoons salt and ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil in a large mixing bowl.

Place the beets in a single layer in a large baking dish. Add any excess water from the bowl to the pan. If you don’t have excess water, then add a ⅛ cup to the bottom of the pan. Wrap the edges of the pan tightly in foil.

Bake the beets for about 1 hour. To check them, gently lift the edge of the foil and place a small knife inside. If the knife slides in very easily they are done. Remove them from the oven and let them cool for about 15 minutes. (If they’re not fully cooked put the foil back around the edge of the pan and check them every 15 minutes).

Once the beets are cooled but still warm, remove the foil. With a dry dish towel in your hands, gently rub off the skins of the beets and place in a large bowl. Gently rinse any excess skin off in cold water.

Cut the beets into ½-inch slices or cubes and set aside or refrigerate if using later.

For the Pumpernickel Crumble:

Change the temperature on the oven to 225 F.

On a baking sheet, lay down the slices of pumpernickel rye bread. Drizzle the ⅛ cup of extra virgin olive oil on the slices and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of salt and the caraway and dill seeds.

Bake in the oven for 45 minutes until very crispy. Remove and cool fully.

Break the dry pieces into chunks and place in a food processor with a blade. Pulse at 3 second intervals for about 2 minutes until it becomes a medium crumble.

For the Black Garlic Tehina:

Crush the garlic cloves on a cutting board with the side of a large knife and add to the lemon juice. Let sit for 30 minutes.

Remove the garlic cloves and any peels from the lemon juice. Place the lemon juice in a blender with the black garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon of salt. Puree on high for 2-3 minutes until smooth.

In a stand mixer with a whip attachment, whip the raw tahini for about 5 minutes on high speed.

Decrease the speed to medium and slowly drizzle in the black garlic-lemon juice. The tehina will get very grainy and tight in texture but will get smooth immediately after.

Slowly add the ice cold water with a steady stream. Once all the water is incorporated, turn the speed on high for 5 minutes. You’ll see the tehina become smooth and glossy and become very airy like an aioli or a mousse. (Note: It’s best to add most of the water but not all of it. You can always add more if you would like it thinner).

To Assemble:

Pick the dill from the whole sprigs and chop very lightly.

Place the tehina on the bottom of the plate in a large circle. Toss the beet pieces in a little olive oil and salt and spread on top of the tehina. Sprinkle the pumpernickel crumb with a heavy hand and then follow with the chopped dill.