Baba ganoush is an incredibly delicious and versatile Levantine dish made from roasted eggplant. Its smoky flavor and creamy texture make it a popular appetizer, dip, or spread in many Middle Eastern cuisines. This article offers three delightful variations of baba ganoush: a classic recipe, a spicy version with roasted red peppers, and a unique green baba ganoush made with zucchini. Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions to guide you in creating these flavorful dishes.
The classic baba ganoush recipe starts with roasting eggplants until they are tender and smoky. The roasted eggplant is then mashed and combined with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and spices to create a smooth and creamy spread. The spicy baba ganoush adds a delightful kick with roasted red peppers and chili flakes, while the green baba ganoush brings a refreshing twist using zucchini instead of eggplants.
Whether you prefer the classic, spicy, or green variation, this article has you covered with detailed recipes and helpful tips. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these delicious and easy-to-make baba ganoush recipes. Dive in and explore the wonderful world of Levantine cuisine!
BABA GHANOUSH
A roasted eggplant dip or spread. Delicious served with pita or vegetables, alongside hummus or on its own!
Provided by Becky
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Eggplant
Time 3h45m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
- Place eggplant on baking sheet, and make holes in the skin with a fork. Roast it for 30 to 40 minutes, turning occasionally, or until soft. Remove from oven, and place into a large bowl of cold water. Remove from water, and peel skin off.
- Place eggplant, lemon juice, tahini, sesame seeds, and garlic in an electric blender, and puree. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer eggplant mixture to a medium size mixing bowl, and slowly mix in olive oil. Refrigerate for 3 hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 66 calories, Carbohydrate 4.6 g, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 1.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.7 g, Sodium 7 mg, Sugar 1.2 g
BABA GHANOUJ
As sesame tahini sits, the oil separates, so the mixture should be stirred before it's used. Sesame tahini should be slightly runny - virtually all of the imported brands that I use have this consistency, but domestic versions can be thick and pasty, and a bit flavorless. You can find imported tahini in Mediterranean markets and in many grocery stores. It must be stored in the refrigerator once opened. Baba ghanouj is a signature Middle Eastern grilled eggplant puree enriched with tahini and seasoned with lemon juice and lots of garlic. The dish has a smoky, pungent flavor. Don't forget to pierce the eggplant before you put it on the grill. You can also grill it inside over a gas flame.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dips and spreads, appetizer
Time 1h15m
Yield About 2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Prepare a hot gas or charcoal grill. Pierce the eggplants in several places with a fork or the tip of a knife, and place over the hot coals. Grill, turning regularly, until soft and blackened all over. If you don't have a grill but do have a gas stove, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cover the top of your stove under the burner grates with foil to facilitate cleaning. Turn on your oven fan (so the smoke alarm won't go off), and roast the eggplants directly over the flame, turning often until charred and softened. Small, thin eggplants will cook through this way, but larger eggplants must be finished in the oven. Wrap in foil, and place in the hot oven for 20 minutes until thoroughly softened. You can also roast the eggplant under a broiler until charred and softened. The flavor of the baba ganoush will not be as smoky.
- Place the grilled eggplant in a colander in the sink, and allow to cool and drain. Peel and discard the black skins, cut off the stems, and let the eggplants sit in the colander to drain for another 15 to 30 minutes.
- Puree the eggplant in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the lemon juice, yogurt and tahini. In a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic to a paste with a generous pinch of salt. Add to the food processor, and blend with the eggplant. Add salt to taste.
- Mound the puree in a bowl or on a platter, and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with pita bread.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 188, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 629 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams
TRADITIONAL BABA GHANOUSH
A traditional recipe for this eggplant dip. It consists of baked eggplant with garlic, lemon juice, and tahini sauce. Dip into this with pita bread and you have yourself a delicious-and-light appetizer.
Provided by IMANKAY
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Dips and Spreads Recipes
Time 50m
Yield 3
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Arrange oven racks so you have one low and one high in the oven.
- Cut a shallow slit along the side of the eggplant and place into a baking dish.
- Roast in preheated oven on the lower rack until the eggplant is completely shrunken and soft, about 40 minutes. Move dish to higher rack and continue baking until the skin is charred, about 5 minutes more. Let eggplant cool until cool enough to handle.
- Peel and discard skin from eggplant. Put eggplant into a bowl; add tahini, garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir until ingredients are evenly mixed. Drizzle olive oil over the baba ghanoush and garnish with parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 96.5 calories, Carbohydrate 5.3 g, Fat 8.7 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 1.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 11.6 mg, Sugar 0.2 g
CLASSIC BABA GHANOUSH
Provided by Food Network
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375F. Cut each eggplant in half vertically and place on sheet pan. Drizzle with about 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 40-45 minutes until very soft.
- Let eggplants cool before handling. Scoop eggplant flesh out of skins into bowl of a food processor. Add lemon juice, tahini, garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper. Process until smooth. Serve with pita bread or pita chips.
BABA GANOUSH
Baba ganoush (also spelled baba ghanoush or baba ghanouj) is a Lebanese dip made with roasted eggplant. It's typically served as a starter with pita bread or fresh vegetables. -Nithya Narasimhan, Chennai, Alabama
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 35m
Yield 8 servings (1 cup).
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450°. Cut eggplant in half lengthwise. Place cut side up on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil over cut sides. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and paprika. Bake until dark golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Remove eggplant from pan to a wire rack to cool., Peel skin from eggplant; discard. Put flesh into a food processor and pulse to mash; transfer to bowl. Stir in tahini, lemon juice, garlic and and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spoon into serving dish. Drizzle with additional olive oil. Sprinkle with parsley and additional paprika.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 89 calories, Fat 8g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 224mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 1g protein.
Tips:
- Choose ripe, flavorful eggplants for the best baba ghanoush. Look for eggplants that are heavy for their size and have smooth, unblemished skin.
- Roasting the eggplants over an open flame or in a very hot oven gives them a smoky flavor that is essential to baba ghanoush. If you don't have access to an open flame, you can roast the eggplants in a broiler or under the grill.
- Once the eggplants are roasted, let them cool slightly before handling them. The skin will be very hot and easy to burn your hands.
- To easily remove the skin from the roasted eggplants, use a sharp knife to make a slit down the center of each eggplant. Then, use your fingers to gently peel the skin away from the flesh.
- Baba ghanoush can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving.
- Serve baba ghanoush with pita bread, crackers, or vegetables for dipping. You can also use it as a spread on sandwiches or wraps.
Conclusion:
Baba ghanoush is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be enjoyed as a dip, spread, or side dish. With its smoky flavor and creamy texture, baba ghanoush is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting appetizer or side dish, give baba ghanoush a try. You won't be disappointed!
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