I love pretty much all of Ree’s recipes, and this one is no exception. Add to that the fact that it’s both vegan and (when served with corn chips) gluten free, and it’s also a great appetizer to keep in mind for anyone with dietary restrictions. Of course, all of that means nothing unless it’s delicious.
And this is delicious.
Ingredients
(Serves 6-8)
3 medium eggplants
4 TBS tahini
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 TBS good quality olive oil
1/3 cup parsley, minced
Salt, to taste
Chips, crackers or bread, to serve
Prick each eggplant with a fork until the surface is covered with holes.
‘Bout like so.
Place the eggplants under a broiler (or on a grill) and cook for 30-40 minutes, until blackened, turning occasionally.
Ree says that when you think they’re blacked enough, blacken them some more.
I trust Ree. After drinking her wine and bathing in her bathtub, I kind of have no choice.
Once the eggplants are very schmooshy, let them cool. When they’re cool enough to handle, scoop the eggplant flesh into a bowl with a spoon, discarding the skins.
This part is gross and messy. The term ‘eviscerating’ comes to mind, and you will strongly consider becoming a vegetarian.
Oh wait–this is a vegetable.
Discard the skins . . . and discard your memories of handling those slimy innards too, while you’re at it.
It’s going to be delicious once it’s all over–I promise.
Using a fork, mash the eggplant.
If you think the texture is going to wig you out, you can give it a few pulses in a food processor for a smoother consistency. Personally, I like a little texture in my dip.
Whack the cloves of garlic and remove the skins.
Then, mince it or squeeze it directly into the eggplant with your handy-dandy garlique press.
Measure out that delectable, nutty tahini (essentially a sesame seed puree) . . .
. . . and add that into the eggplant.
Squeeze in the lemon juice . . .
. . . drizzle in the olive oil . . .
. . . give the parsley a quick wash-and-chop . . .
. . . and add that in, too.
Stir in a good amount of salt, tasting as you go so that it’s perfectly seasoned (you don’t want to undersalt this!).
Mix ‘er all up, and serve with chips, pita bread, a baguette, crackers, or whatever bread-type product strikes your palate’s fancy that day.
Mmm. Let’s load up a chip, shall we?
If you must know, I feasted on this while watching ‘My So-Called Life,’ which by the way is an amazing series and I can’t believe it only ran for one season!
My husband was out of town, and the dose of Baba Ghanoush + Claire Danes hit exactly the right spot. I mean, if I have to be lonely and comfort myself with Netflix instant play, I can think of no better accompaniment than a bowl of dip . . . followed by a bowl of mush . . . followed by a bowl of popcorn. Bowls, bowls, bowls.
I know. It’s so cliché to comfort oneself with food. But this is a pretty healthy way to do it. And see how creamy it is?
This is one of those appetizers that’s there one minute . . . *chomp!*
. . . and gone the next.
So fresh. So garlicky. I sweated garlic for the next 2 days.
Click here for printer-friendly version: Baba Ghanoush
I’m no eggplant lover, but I tried a store made version of this dip a while back and was surprised that I liked it. I am sure a fresh version is even better! 🙂
I have to admit, I’ve never tried this or even thought about making it, but just saying the name “Baba Ghanoush” makes me happy enough that I’m considering it. 🙂
I definitely will try this. Never thought of egg plant being a “winner” for a dip, but then again I have had many surprises with foods lately that I never would have tried making recipes with.
Do you think cilantro would be okay to replace the parsley or is that too strong of a flavor?
I think cilantro would be great!
I love baba ghanoush. I used to live near Detroi, MI which is home to the largest middle eastern community in the US. They had the best baba ganoush I had ever tried, till recently. The Turk who owns the restaurant where I bellydance also makes a great version. I may try this though, when my eggplant ripens. Thanks for the recipe!
Nice! Maybe the aforesaid Turk could share his super authentic recipe?? =)
Where did you find the small container of Tahini? I made this last winter and there is just so much Baba ghanoush one can eat (even if one takes it to an event) and the very large jar of Tahini (which was all I could find) went bad — or at least I assumed it did. It does look good!
I mean the baba ghanoush looks good.
Wendy – I think that tahini kept in the fridge lasts forever. My organic co-op where I got mine said like 20 years.
Whoa! 20 years! That’s awesome. Thanks for the tip, Giselle.
Hi Wendy! It was the only size of container I could find at Domincks, the grocery store we always go to.
20 years?! I think mine was in a jar that got bumped and leaked all over. Maybe that is why I thought it was bad.
I want to try this. I have not had baba ganouj at restaurants that I liked because it was so over-the-top smoky. I have a feeling homemade would be better! And I’m SO all about that dips. I could live off dip.
Uhhhh….Jenna? I think someone done throwed up on yer purdy purple tore-tilla chips.
Just kidding. I love eggplant! I may have to make this for dinner soon with some gyro-style sandwiches and hummus. It’s not the prettiest dish (by far), but it sure is tasty! The blue corn tortilla chips make it prettier. If that helps.
Haha! I know–it was challenging to make the baba ghanoush look anything akin to delicious. Some foods were just never meant to be photographed–just scarfed down. =)
I love snacks like these to munch on while I’m watching TV. I’ll definitely have to try this one!
…and speaking of garlic, I took your advice and now whack the cloves with the bottom of a can of vegies or tomato sauce to loosen the garlic skins instead of using the flat of a knife blade (as I have done for 30 years…). This looks quite interesting. One of these days…….. when we’re back from Spain? And does that bottle of Spanish virgen olive oil look like it is almost out??? I need to send you some more!
Well, I stumbled across this dip again when checking to see what recipes of yours have been pinned lately. I almost forgot this one and I just have to make it. Except, telling us that you sweatted garlic for two days isn’t exactly the kind of thing I want to hear! LOL, j/k, it was the perfect way to end the blog. You, my dear, have perfect timing for humor. It is a gift! I hope to make this soon, and prove to my husband that eggplant’s are NOT useless vegetables (although I have to admit, I pretty much agree with him-lol).
OK, I made it-TWICE! I love it so much, I have difficulty not grabbing a spoon and eating it straight up. I didn’t roast the eggplant long enough the first time and that makes a big difference in flavor. I made the second batch tahini-free and ended up liking it more, but not sure if that was b/c of the longer roasting or the lack of tahini. But both were delicious and I thank you so much for finally helping me like baba ghanoush!
Pingback: Baba Ghanoush Two Ways: Classic & Tahini-Free « Veronica's Cornucopia
Hi there…I stumbled across your site by accident and have been cooking for over 50 years. I really dislike tahini and have tried to find substitutions for this product any way I can and I always do. For the baba ghanoush I added plain full fat yogurt and I usually use products that are from middle east or Armenian named and not and I really mean not greek yogurt products. They are too sour and a very good product to also substitute is lebne. This is a strained plain full fat yogurt which is almost the consistency of sour cream. This is something I have done for years and just do it to taste or swap out the same amount for the tahini. As a note, if you take out the tahini in hamos, make sure to add more garbanzo beans. garlic and fresh lemon juice along with the juice of the beans and salt. This may sound a little bit off, but when you add more of your indgredients that the recipe asks for, and go by your own taste, it is actually better and make sure you do it in the food processor and in the end, add some cumin for the added kick because it is the original recipe and when you put it in your serving dish and you can add your oil then either sprinkle cumin, paprika, or aleppo pepper on top, depending on the taste you want to add.
Thanks for the info, Violet! Interesting and cool substitutions to keep in mind!
Back again, I forgot to say everything you did looks great, I think you do a very marvelous job and keep on doing what you do!