Baba Ganoush
Baba Ganoush is a Middle Eastern dip primarily made of eggplant(aubergines), with the addition of pomegranate molasses and olive oil. There is a widespread debate on whether or not Baba Ganoush should contain Tahini or not.. and in most places, especially the West, Baba Ganoush always contains Tahini.
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Ingredients:
| Eggplant (about 300 gms ) - I often use the longer, slender eggplants | One large | |
| Red Onion (about half cup), finely chopped | Half of One | |
| Green bell pepper, finely chopped or minced | ¼ cup | |
| Red bell pepper, finely chopped or minced | ¼ cup | |
| Pomegranate molasses | 1 Tbsp (or more) | |
| Salt | To taste | |
| Flat-leaf parsley, chopped very very finely | 1 - 2 Tbsp | |
| Walnuts, chopped | 2 Tbsp | |
| Extra virgin or ordinary olive oil | As needed | |
| Pomegranate seeds (for Garnish) | Optional (As needed) |
Method:
- You can cook the eggplant like for Mutabbal on an open flame(see below) OR I like to roast it in the oven sometimes too, as follows.
- Rinse and pat dry the eggplants.
- Place on greaseproof paper in an oven tray. Drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil over the paper.
- Place in an oven with heat from above and below. Heat to 200ºc and place the tray nearer to the top heat element.
- Optional – place a piece of live coal with a little oil poured on it on a piece of foil in the center of the tray. This gives the eggplant a smoked aroma.
- Roast for 50 minutes – 1 hour, turning the eggplant halfway through.
- When cool enough to handle, easily scrape off the flesh from the skin.
- Add the flesh to a bowl and mash well with a fork.
- Add salt to taste.
- Stir in the minced onion and bell peppers.
- Add walnuts, parsley, pomegranate molasses, and more salt if needed. Stir well.
- Pour into a serving dish. Create a circular indentation a little inside the edges to form a stream for the olive oil
- Add as much olive oil as you like. Garnish with pomegranate arils/seeds if you like.
- Serve with toasted or plain pita. I love it with wholemeal walnut bread.
Baba Ganoush
Notes:
- For simple Baba Ganoush: Simply use Roasted Eggplant, Salt, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice and chopped Parsley only..
- Homemade Pomegranate Molasses Recipe
- Mutabbal Recipe – Another Middle Eastern Eggplant Dip
- I had been advised by a friend from Lebanon long ago that the seeds should be removed before pureeing or it will be bitter, But I have never removed the seeds and they’ve never been bitter. Perhaps for some varieties of eggplant, this may hold true.Different varieties of eggplants will give slightly different textures when it comes to baba ganoush and mutabbal.
Key Ingredients: Eggplant, Pomegranate Molasses, Bell Peppers, Onion, Olive Oil, Parley, Salt.
EAT AND TELL!!! Let us know if you tried – Baba Ganoush
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Can you tell me when you add the pomegranate molasses?
Hi Liz, It is stirred in along with the tomatoes, walnuts, etc.. Thank you I edited the post!Make sure you taste your pomegranate molasses first before adding, that way you can add more or less according to taste.