Embark on a culinary adventure with the smoky eggplant spread, a delectable appetizer or dip that tantalizes taste buds with its unique blend of flavors and textures. This versatile dish, also known as baba ganoush, is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine and has gained popularity worldwide for its smoky, creamy, and slightly tangy taste. Prepared using grilled or roasted eggplants, it showcases the vegetable's inherent smokiness and umami character. This recipe provides step-by-step instructions to create a classic smoky eggplant spread, along with variations such as a spicy harissa-infused version and a refreshing yogurt-based dip. Whether you're hosting a party, looking for a healthy snack, or simply want to elevate your meals, this smoky eggplant spread is sure to become a favorite.
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SMOKY EGGPLANT DIP
Serve this dip with chips, as part of a meze platter, or slather it on grilled chicken thighs or lamb chops.
Provided by Andy Baraghani
Categories Bon Appétit Eggplant Garlic Dip Condiment/Spread
Yield Makes 3 cups
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Remove grate and prepare a charcoal grill for medium heat (coals should be covered with ash and glowing red with no black remaining). Place eggplants directly on coals and cook, turning occasionally, until skins are completely charred and flesh is collapsed, 15-20 minutes. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and let cool. (Or, you can grill on the grate of a gas or charcoal grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, 20-25 minutes.)
- Split eggplants lengthwise and scoop flesh from skin into a medium bowl (it's okay if bits of charred skin get in there too). Mash eggplant with a fork to break up, then mix in garlic, yogurt, chopped mint, red pepper flakes, and 2 Tbsp. oil; season with salt.
- To serve, drizzle dip with more oil and top with mint leaves.
- Do Ahead
- Dip can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
SMOKY EGGPLANT DIP WITH PITA CHIPS
The most persuasive way to convert an eggplant hater is to fry it (the eggplant, not the hater). A less messy approach, however, is to make dip. Velvety, smoky dip with a tangy bite has seduced many an eggplant-hating guest.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dips and spreads
Time 30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat the grill. Meanwhile, in a blender combine 3/4 cup olive oil, the oregano, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Blend until you have a rough purée, 2 to 5 minutes depending on how strong your blender is. Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed. Purée should be well seasoned.
- Split pita breads in half along their seams to make 6 flat rounds. Brush both sides of each pita round with herb purée.
- When grill is hot, cook the eggplant, whole, until skins are shriveled and flesh has collapsed, about 8 to 12 minutes per side. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
- Grill pitas until crisp, about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side. Let rest for a minute or two until cool enough to handle but still very warm, then slice each round into 6 wedges.
- Peel eggplant and put flesh in a food processor with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the garlic, yogurt, lemon juice, pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Purée, then taste and add more lemon or salt (or both) if needed. Serve the dip spread on a plate, drizzled with more olive oil and garnished with mint, dates and pomegranate seeds if desired.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 285, UnsaturatedFat 19 grams, Carbohydrate 18 grams, Fat 23 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 321 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams
SMOKY TOMATO AND EGGPLANT SPREAD
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Partially peel the outside of the eggplant, leaving 1 1/2- to 2-inch strips of skin intact, creating alternating stripes of flesh and skin. Cut the eggplant into 2-inch cubes and add it to a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the eggplant with 6 tablespoons of the olive oil, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Transfer the eggplant to the oven and roast for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through. After 40 minutes the eggplant should be very tender and browned.
- In the meantime, heat a high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and then the shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until the shallot has softened, about 5 minutes. Next, add the red pepper and garlic and stir to combine. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, cayenne and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to coat the vegetables in the spices. Add the tomatoes and bring the mixture to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 25 minutes.
- Add the cooked eggplant to the tomato mixture and stir to combine, slightly mashing the eggplant into the sauce. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and serve with grilled sourdough.
SMOKY EGGPLANT DIP
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories appetizer
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Pierce each eggplant with the tip of a knife in about 10 spots. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until very soft and cracking in a few spots, about 50 minutes. Let cool slightly.
- Cut each eggplant open lengthwise and scrape out the flesh with a large spoon; discard the skin. Place the flesh in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to coarsely chop. Add the parsley, mint, oregano, lemon juice, chiles, salt and olive oil. Puree for 20 seconds to combine. Allow to cool slightly before serving with crackers.
SMOKY EGGPLANT AND PEPPER SPREAD
Make and share this Smoky Eggplant and Pepper Spread recipe from Food.com.
Provided by maniac2001x
Categories Vegetable
Time 30m
Yield 2 Cups, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Roast Eggplant and red pepper on grill. When Eggplant begins to collapse, remove from grill. Cut in half, remove seeds and set aside in collender. When red pepper is slight charred and soft, remove from grill, cut in half and remove seed.
- Place Eggplant and Red Pepper in blender. Peel garlic, chop and place in blender. Juice lemons and place in blender. Add Olive oil, salt and pepper and Blend until pureed.
- Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 42.5, Fat 1.9, SaturatedFat 0.3, Sodium 2.6, Carbohydrate 6.6, Fiber 3.2, Sugar 2.8, Protein 1.1
Tips for Making Smoky Eggplant Spread:
- Choose the right eggplant: Look for eggplants that are firm and heavy for their size, with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid eggplants that are bruised or have soft spots.
- Roast the eggplant properly: Roasting the eggplant brings out its smoky flavor and caramelizes its natural sugars. Make sure to roast the eggplant until it is tender and slightly charred.
- Use a good quality tahini: Tahini is a key ingredient in this spread, so it's important to use a good quality brand. Look for tahini that is made from 100% sesame seeds and has a smooth, creamy texture.
- Season to taste: This spread is very versatile, so feel free to adjust the seasonings to your liking. You can add more lemon juice for a brighter flavor, more cumin for a smokier flavor, or more garlic for a more garlicky flavor.
Conclusion:
Smoky eggplant spread is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a dip, spread, or condiment. It is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making it a great option for entertaining. The smoky flavor of the eggplant pairs well with the tangy lemon juice, creamy tahini, and fragrant spices. This spread is sure to be a hit with your friends and family.
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