Description
A creamy, smoky Mediterranean dip made from roasted eggplants blended with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and spices. Perfect for snacks, mezze platters, and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium eggplants (about 1 to 1.5 pounds / 450 to 700 grams), firm and glossy
- 1/4 cup tahini (60 ml), well-stirred
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- A handful fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Wash and dry the eggplants, then prick each with a fork a few times to let steam escape.
- Place eggplants on a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes, turning every 10 minutes, until skin is deeply wrinkled and blackened in spots and flesh is soft.
- Let the eggplants cool for 10 minutes. Peel off the charred skin and scoop the soft flesh into a mixing bowl, leaving any bitter seeds behind.
- Add tahini, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper to the eggplant flesh.
- Pulse in a food processor until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
If the baba ganoush feels watery, drain it in a fine sieve for 10 minutes before blending. Turn eggplants while roasting for even char and smoky flavor. Use short pulses when blending to keep a nice texture without over-pureeing. For a milder garlic flavor, roast garlic cloves with the eggplants. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of the rec
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Protein: 2
Keywords: baba ganoush, creamy dip, roasted eggplant, Mediterranean snack, smoky dip, tahini dip, vegan dip, gluten-free dip