Baba Ghanouj – Roasted Eggplants With Garlic and Tahini

Baba Ghanouj is made by mashing roasted eggplants with Tahini paste, some garlic, and a bit of white vinegar to help lighten the color. It is served as a cold appetizer dip along with pita bread and some salted Lebanese pickles such as cucumbers, chili peppers and turnips.

Back in the old days and even occasionally today, instead of using a food processor folks use a wooden mortar and pestle to mash the eggplants its way into Baba Ghanouj. Mama said that she prefers to do it that way when she has more time.  Don’t forget to use high quality olive oil to garnish the dip. Enjoy!

Baba Ghanouj is a delicious Mediterranean appetizer made with fire roasted eggplants and Tahini sauce.

Ingredients

3-5 medium eggplants (3 lbs)
5 table spoons Tahini paste
Juice from 1 freshly squeezed lemon
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 table spoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Instructions

Roast the eggplants in the oven on medium heat, or on a BBQ grill for about 30 minutes.
While eggplants are still hot (not too hot so you don’t burn your hands), peel them and discard as much as possible of their seeds.

Strain the water from the eggplants by placing them on a colander for about 10 minutes. This step is important so you don’t get a liquid Baba Ghannouj.

Add eggplants and all ingredients in a food processor and let run for 2-3 minutes until you get a paste.

Place Baba Ghanouj paste into a serving plate, garnish with any/all of the following: olive oil, chopped parsley, sumac spice or chili powder, salted pickles…etc

Serve cold as an appetizer, with a side of Pita bread.

Source: Mama's Lebanese Kitchen | Author: Esperance Sammour