Baba ganoush
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Tips
As the eggplant dip only contains very few elements, it is important to select high-quality ingredients for maximum taste. That means you should go with freshly squeezed lemon juice, fresh garlic, and tahini made with toasted sesame paste. You can smoke or grill the eggplants directly over a flame instead of using an oven – it will give the eggplant a smoky aroma. But if you do so, you should transfer it to a colander afterwards to allow excess water to drain and prevent the dip from turning watery. Remember to chill baba ganoush in the fridge so the flavours can meld together while the dip gets a thicker texture.
Questions about baba ganoush
Are you tired of the same old dips? Then you need to try this creamy dip with eggplants and delicious flavours. To learn more about this tasty dip, read our answers to some of the most asked questions about baba ganoush below.
Ingredients
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Eggplants
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2 |
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Small cloves of garlic, crushed
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2 |
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Freshly squeezed lemon juice
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2 tbsp |
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Olive oil
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2 tbsp |
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Tahini (toasted sesame paste)
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3 tbsp |
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Coarse salt (approx.)
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1 tsp |
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Freshly ground pepper (to taste)
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For serving
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Warm flatbread cut into triangles
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2 |
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Garnish
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Dried chilli flakes (to taste)
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Flatleaf parsley (to taste)
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Baba ganoush – tasty eggplant dip
Experience the surprising sensation of this smoky, creamy, savoury eggplant dip with garlic, tahini, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and seasoning. Baba ganoush is a popular side dish in the Middle East and Mediterranean and is often referred to as a ‘mezze’, meaning appetiser or snack. Luckily, you do not have to travel that far to experience the tasty dip. With our authentic baba ganoush recipe, you can enjoy this delicious appetiser at home with warm flatbread and a beautiful garnish of parsley and dried chilli flakes.
If you like this eggplant dip, you will enjoy our recipes for homemade fluffy pita bread and falafels with a rich taste and slightly crunchy texture. Need another dip? Try out this creamy hummus recipe with tahini, cumin, and garlic.
Deliciously nutty flavour with tahini
If you have never tried baba ganoush before, you have been missing out on the delicious flavour full of nutty and exotic notes. The baba ganoush ingredients include tahini, which is a paste made from sesame seeds that are grated into a smooth texture, giving the dip a lovely creaminess; and the characteristic nutty flavour. The paste is a staple in many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern recipes and has a very earthy aroma that shines through the dip.
Make grilled eggplant for baba ganoush
Whether a fan of eggplant or not, this simple baba ganoush recipe will make you fall in love with the purple-coloured vegetable. Eggplant is traditionally grilled over an open flame to give the pulp a smoky taste that complements the nutty aroma of the tahini paste. But you can easily get the same smoky result by roasting the vegetable in the oven. The irresistibly smooth texture of the dip is hard to resist and takes very little preparation with only an oven and a food processor.
How to serve baba ganoush
If you are in the mood for a quick snack, serve the dip with warm flatbread or grilled pita bread. But if you are looking for something a little more filling, enjoy it alongside smaller dishes. Serve the dip with dolma, a traditional stuffed food that is popular in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine and mainly served as a starter. They are typically made with grape leaves that are filled with a variety of rice, meat, or vegetables and folded into bite-sized rolls. These small and generously stuffed rolls are perfect for dipping into the eggplant mixture.
Want something with a bit more meat? Baba ganoush also pairs well with cubed marinated kebabs roasted on a stick. The eggplants balance out the hearty meat flavours, so you get the best of both worlds. You can also use it as a spread in flatbread or pita bread with different mixed salads and meat.
Give the classic a twist
Give your baba ganoush dip a little twist with fresh herbs and spices. For an extra smoky flavour, mix in 1 tsp of cumin and smoked paprika. It will give the dip a rich, earthy flavour with notes of citrus and a little hint of sweetness. These flavours are perfectly balanced by the bold freshness of dill, parsley, and mint leaves.
If you fancy a little heat, spice up the appetiser with sriracha and red pepper flakes. The flakes lend a sharp aroma to the creamy dip with a decent dose of spiciness, while the sriracha sauce gives it an extra kick of spice with a lingering citrus aroma that complements the fresh lemon juice in the dip. Depending on your tolerance for spicy things, you can either mix the two spicy elements with the other ingredients or simply use them to garnish the dip. Either way, it makes for a beautiful fiery finish.
