Baba ghanoush, a Levantine appetizer or dip, is a delightful blend of roasted eggplants, tahini, olive oil, and spices. Its smoky flavor and creamy texture have captivated taste buds for centuries. This versatile dish can be relished as a dip with pita bread, vegetables, or crackers. Its unique smoky-nutty taste makes it a cherished component in mezze platters and a fantastic addition to any appetizer spread.
This article presents a collection of baba ghanoush recipes that cater to diverse preferences and dietary needs. From the classic baba ghanoush recipe using traditional methods to variations that incorporate yogurt, lemon, or roasted red peppers, there's a recipe for every palate.
One recipe introduces a delightful twist by adding tangy yogurt, resulting in a lighter and more refreshing baba ghanoush. Another variation incorporates roasted red peppers, lending a vibrant color and a hint of sweetness to the dish. For those seeking a vegan option, there's a recipe that swaps tahini for sunflower seed butter, creating a creamy and delicious alternative.
BABA GANOUSH
This is a great way to introduce Middle Eastern foods! The dip is creamy, delicious, and tastes great on bread, naan, or with pita! You may want to drizzle extra olive oil over the top of the finished baba ganoush.
Provided by Diana71
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Dips and Spreads Recipes
Time 1h5m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lightly oil a baking sheet.
- Halve eggplants and brush cut sides with olive oil. Place face-down onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast in the preheated oven until softened, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool, about 30 minutes.
- Scoop flesh out of skins and place in a mesh strainer. Discard skins. Press down on flesh to remove liquid or drippings. Transfer eggplant flesh to a food processor. Add lemon juice, tahini, garlic, cumin, and chile powder. Drizzle olive oil on top of everything. Blend well, 45 seconds to 1 minute.
- Mix in plain yogurt and season with salt. Serve with a sprinkle of paprika over top for garnish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 108.9 calories, Carbohydrate 9.5 g, Cholesterol 0.1 mg, Fat 7.7 g, Fiber 4.7 g, Protein 2.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 51.5 mg, Sugar 3 g
BABA GANOUSH RECIPE
Here is how to make the best baba ganoush, the smoky, rich, and extra creamy eggplant dip, packed with flavor thanks to tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. Grilling the eggplant over open flame will give you the deepest flavor. And if you have the time, allow the dip to chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour. It will thicken and the flavors will meld. Be sure to watch the video and read the notes for additional tips!
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- First, smoke or grill the eggplant. Turn one gas burner on medium-high. Place the eggplant directly over the flame. Using a pair of tongs, turn the eggplant every 5 minutes or so until it is tender and the skin is charred and crispy on all sides (20 minutes.) The eggplant should deflate and become super tender. supposed to. If you don't have a gas burner you can use a grill. You can also roast the eggplant in the oven (see notes).
- Remove the eggplant from the heat and transfer it to a large colander over a bowl. Allow it to sit and drain for a few minutes until fully cooled and all excess water has been drained (it helps if you open the eggplant up a bit and push on it with a knife or a spoon to help it release its juices).
- Once the eggplant is cool enough to touch, peel the charred crispy skin off (it should come right off). Discard the skin and the stem (don't worry if a few bits of the skin remain, that is just added flavor).
- Transfer the cooked and fully drained eggplant to a bowl. Use a fork to break it down into smaller pieces. Add the tahini paste, garlic, lemon juice, Greek yogurt (if using) salt, pepper, sumac, Aleppo pepper or crushed red pepper flakes. Mix gently with a wooden spoon or a fork until well-combined.
- Cover the baba ganoush and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour.
- To serve, transfer the baba ganoush to a rimmed serving dish or a bowl. Top with a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and toasted pine nuts, if you like. Serve with pita wedges or pita chips and veggies of your choice!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 86.6 kcal, Sodium 204.4 mg, Fat 5.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Carbohydrate 8.6 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 3 g, Cholesterol 0.1 mg, UnsaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving
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
BABA GANOUSH
Steps:
- Grill the whole eggplants over the flame of a gas stove or on a rack set over an electric cooktop until the skin is charred all over, a couple minutes each side. Put the eggplants in a large bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap to steam for 8 to 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, remove the charred skin and discard, reserving any liquid in the bowl.
- Roughly chop the eggplant flesh and put in the bowl along with any reserved eggplant liquid. Add the tahini, lemon juice, yogurt and garlic, then season with salt. Mash with a fork until thoroughly combined. The dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
- Transfer the dip to a serving dish and top with pomegranate seeds, crushed walnuts, parsley leaves and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with pita bread for dipping.
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
Tips:
- Use ripe eggplants for the best flavor. Look for eggplants that are firm and have smooth, shiny skin.
- Roast the eggplants until they are very soft and tender. This will help to create a smooth and creamy baba ghanoush.
- Be sure to let the roasted eggplants cool completely before handling them. This will help to prevent burns.
- Use a food processor or blender to puree the roasted eggplants. This will help to create a smooth and creamy texture.
- Add tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and cumin to taste. You can also add other spices, such as paprika or cayenne pepper, to your liking.
- Serve baba ghanoush with pita bread, crackers, or vegetables. It is also a great addition to a mezze platter.
Conclusion:
Baba ghanoush is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, dip, or spread. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you are a fan of smoky flavors or prefer a more mild dish, baba ghanoush is sure to please. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, give baba ghanoush a try. You won't be disappointed!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love