Avocado & Beetroot Hummus on Rye
Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this Avocado and Beetroot Hummus on Rye is best enjoyed in late summer through early autumn, when the focus shifts from high activity to nourishment and grounding.
The earthy sweetness of chickpeas, beetroot and tahini supports the Spleen during this transitional season, helping to strengthen digestion and centre the body’s energy. The cooling qualities of avocado and citrus bring balance as the weather remains warm, while the gentle warmth of cumin and garlic keeps Qi flowing smoothly as the air begins to cool.
It’s a dish that bridges seasons — refreshing yet fortifying — helping the body adapt with ease.
You’ll Need:
Food Processor or Vitamix Blender
Beetroot Hummus:
400 grams tinned chick peas in water
60 ml tahini
60 ml lemon juice
1 garlic clove pressed
70 grams beetroot (peeled and cooked)
1 tbsp Aquafaba (chick pea juice)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
Avocado Slices:
2 "just-ripe" avocados
4 tbsp lime juice
dash red chilli flakes
dash fennel seeds
salt & pepper to season
1 tsp ground cumin
Instructions:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 8 people
Beetroot Hummus
Begin by draining the chick peas and add them first to the food processor or blender.
Reserve the Aquafaba or chick pea liquid, as you'll need to use it later.
Next, add the lemon juice, tahini and pressed garlic. Blitz these together for about another minute or two until everything is a smooth paste.
Scrape the sides and blitz again.
Then add the beetroot to the paste and roughly chop it up inside the food processor using a knife, which avoids staining and a huge mess.
Blitz the beetroot for about 2 minutes until the colour has changed to a bright ruby red.
Next, you'll want to season the hummus with ground cumin, salt and pepper.
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of the Aquafaba and then 1 tablespoon of olive oil and blitz the mixture on high to combine all the ingredients until you reach a desirable consistency.
Sliced Avocado
Begin by slicing the avocado down the centre, lengthwise with a large knife. Gently twist both sides apart. One half should have the seed intact and the other without.
In order to remove the avocado seed, you will need to carefully insert the knife in the centre of the seed and twist.
Once the avocado seed is stuck on the knife edge, gently push the edge of the knife into a cutting board to squeeze off the seed.
Pour about 4 tablespoons of lime juice in a bowl.
Once you've sliced the avocado, gently scoop it out from the skin with a large spoon and place it into the lime juice. Then remove it once the outside of the avocado is coated.
Finally, slice the avocado and brush each slice with more lime juice.
Serving Suggestion:
Serve on a hearty rye bread
Slice the rye bread about 1 cm wide.
Spread the beetroot hummus on top of the rye bread and then carefully arrange 3 avocado slices on top.
Sprinkle red chilli flakes and fennel seed on top and then season with salt and pepper.
What the Research Says…
Chickpea Research — “Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.): Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, and Future Prospects”
By A. M. Mudgil and S. Barak (Nutrients, 2018)
Read the full research paper on PubMed → https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30558137
Beetroot Research — “Health Benefits of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) and Its Constituents”
By T. Clifford, G. Howatson, and E. J. West (Nutrients, 2015)
Read the full research paper on PubMed → https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26720882
Avocado Research — “Avocado Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in US Adults”
By Lorena S. Pacheco, PhD, et al. (Journal of the American Heart Association / Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2022)
Read the full research paper on PubMed → https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35394640
TCM Food Benefits:
🥫 Chickpeas: Strengthen Spleen & Qi, aid digestion, clear Damp
🥄 Tahini: Nourishes Yin, moistens dryness, calms the Liver
🍋 Lemon Juice: Moves Liver Qi, clears Heat, refreshes
🧄 Garlic: Warms, boosts immunity, dispels toxins
🌸 Beetroot: Nourishes Blood, supports Heart & Liver
💧 Aquafaba: Moistens Lungs, supports Yin
🫒 Olive Oil: Nourishes Yin, smooths Qi flow
🧂 Salt: Supports Kidneys, anchors Yang
🌿 Cumin: Warms digestion, moves Qi
🥑 Avocado: Nourishes Yin, moistens & calms Liver
🍈 Lime Juice: Clears Heat, moves Liver Qi
🌶️ Red Chilli Flakes: Warms, invigorates Qi
🌼 Fennel Seeds: Warms middle, eases bloating
🧂 Salt & Pepper: Balance Kidneys, stimulate digestion