Eggplant spread, also known as Baba Ganoush or Eggplant Dip, is a delightful Middle Eastern-inspired dish made from roasted eggplant blended with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and spices. This creamy and flavorful spread is versatile, serving as a delicious dip for pita bread or vegetables, a tasty sandwich spread, or a flavorful addition to mezze platters. With its rich, smoky flavor and creamy texture, eggplant spread is sure to be a hit at your next gathering or as a flavorful snack anytime.
Beaming Eggplant Spread Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Baking sheet
- 1 Blender
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons tahini sesame paste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil plus extra for drizzling
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup, if desired.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully prick the eggplants in several places to prevent bursting while roasting.
- Place the eggplants on the prepared baking sheet and roast them in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until they are very soft and collapsed. You can also roast them directly over an open flame on a gas burner for a smokier flavor.
- Once roasted, remove the eggplants from the oven and let them cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, peel off the charred skin and discard.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the roasted eggplant flesh, minced garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, ground cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Blend or process the mixture until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your liking.
- Transfer the eggplant spread to a serving bowl. Drizzle with additional olive oil and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, paprika, or any other desired garnishes.
- Serve the eggplant spread with pita bread, crackers, or vegetable sticks for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjusting Seasonings – Taste the eggplant spread and adjust the seasonings according to your preference. You can add more garlic, lemon juice, or spices to suit your taste.
- Texture and Consistency – If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the eggplant spread for a longer duration until it becomes creamy. For a chunkier consistency, pulse the ingredients briefly in the blender or food processor.
How well must the eggplant be roasted?
The eggplant should be roasted until it is very soft and collapsed. This ensures that the flesh is fully cooked and develops a rich, smoky flavor. The skin will become charred during roasting, which helps impart a delicious smokiness to the eggplant spread. Make sure to roast the eggplant until it is tender enough to easily scoop out the flesh with a spoon. This ensures a creamy texture in the final spread and allows for easy blending with other ingredients.
what can this be served with?
Eggplant spread can be served in various ways and pairs well with a range of dishes. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Bread and Crackers – Serve the eggplant spread with toasted bread slices, pita bread, baguette slices, or crackers for a delicious appetizer or snack.
- Vegetable Sticks – Offer sliced vegetables such as carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, celery, or cherry tomatoes alongside the eggplant spread for a fresh and healthy option.
- Sandwiches and Wraps – Use the eggplant spread as a flavorful spread in sandwiches, wraps, or pitas. It adds a creamy and savory element to vegetarian sandwiches or grilled vegetable wraps.
- Mezze Platter – Include the eggplant spread as part of a mezze platter alongside other dips and spreads like hummus, tzatziki, or baba ganoush, along with olives, feta cheese, and stuffed grape leaves.