Baba Ganoush: Exploring the Smoky Eggplant Dip from Lebanon
Baba ganoush is a vegan-friendly Lebanese appetizer consisting of roasted or grilled eggplant, olive oil, lemon juice, seasonings, and tahini. Traditionally, the eggplant is cooked over an open flame before peeling, causing the pulp to become soft and gain a smoky taste which is enhanced with a dash of cumin and smoked paprika.
Equipment
- Chopping board
- Sharp knife
- Food processor or blender (food processor makes it creamier)
- Lemon squeezer (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 large eggplants approx weight 10oz./300g each
- ½ cup tahini
- 8 tablespoons lemon juice approx 2 lemons
- 4 garlic cloves whole, no skin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Toasted pine nuts for garnish
- Extra virgin olive oil for serving
- Pita bread for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.
- Cut eggplant in half then scour the flesh sides in a criss-cross pattern with a sharp knife.2 large eggplants
- Glaze the eggplant halves with some olive oil then season with smoked paprika and salt.½ teaspoon smoked paprika, Extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt
- Roast for 45 minutes or until eggplant halves are soft in the center. For an extra smoky flavor, raise the eggplants to the top oven shelf and roast for an additional 5 minutes. This will char the eggplants.
- Remove eggplant from the oven and allow to cool slightly before scooping out the fleshy center. Discard the skin.
- Place the flesh of the eggplant in a food processor. Add the lemon juice, tahini, garlic cloves, remaining spices, and salt. Pulse a few times until the ingredients are incorporated. For a smooth consistency, blend continuously for 1-2 minutes or until you have the desired consistency.½ cup tahini, 8 tablespoons lemon juice, 4 garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, Toasted pine nuts, Pita bread
Video
Notes
Cooking notes:
Garlic: The garlic will intensify as the dish melds over time. We love garlic, however, this amount (4 raw cloves) will be quite spicy for some people. If you're not into garlic, halve the amount to suit your own taste.
Spices: The same goes for the spices. This baba ganoush recipe is very flavorsome, but if you're looking to make it more neutral, halve the amount of spices used to achieve the desired taste.