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.
Servings: 6 or more people
Ingredients
- 2 Italian eggplants or small globe eggplants
- 1/4 cup tahini paste I used Soom tahini
- 1 lemon, juice of
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt, optional
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- 3/4 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes, optional
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Toasted pine nuts for garnish, optional
- fresh minced parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- 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. If you don't have a gas burner, you can use a grill. You can also roast the eggplant in the oven (see notes).
- Drain and cool. Remove the eggplant from the heat and transfer it to a large colander over a bowl. Cut a slit in the eggplant to help it drain excess liquid and cool more quickly. Allow it to sit for a few minutes until fully cooled and all excess water has been drained. Push on it with a knife or a spoon to help release its juices.
- Peel the skin. 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's just added flavor!
- Make the dip. 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.
- Chill. Cover the baba ganoush and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Serve. Transfer the baba ganoush to a rimmed serving dish or a bowl. Top with a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, toasted pine nuts, and minced parsley, if you like. Serve with pita wedges or pita chips and veggies of your choice!
Video
Notes
- To roast the eggplant in the oven instead: heat the oven to 425°F. Trim the eggplants and cut them in half, then salt it and allow it to "sweat out" excess water for about 30 minutes or so. Wipe it off, and arrange the eggplant on a lightly oiled baking sheet, flesh side down. Roast for about 40 minutes or until very tender and cooked through. Allow the eggplant time to cool a bit, then, using a spoon, scoop out the flesh and place it in a bowl. Follow the recipe from step #4.
- For best texture, mix the eggplant as directed using a wooden spoon or a fork rather than a food processor. This dip is meant to be creamy but on the rustic side with some texture.
- Store leftovers in a tightly closed container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients, including the olive oil and spices used in this recipe.
Nutrition
Calories: 86.6kcal | Carbohydrates: 8.6g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5.6g | Saturated Fat: 0.8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0.1mg | Sodium: 204.4mg | Potassium: 250.2mg | Fiber: 3.3g | Vitamin A: 103.6IU | Vitamin C: 11.8mg | Calcium: 30.3mg | Iron: 0.8mg
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