Badenjan Dip Food

KASHKE BADEMJAN (PERSIAN EGGPLANT DIP)

Steps:

• Peel the eggplants and cut them in halves lengthwise, then cut each into half width-wise.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a pan, once hot, place the eggplants in the pan and sear on both sides until golden brown. The eggplants are not supposed to cook all the way through.
• Take the eggplants out of the pan and place them in a plate. In the same pan, pour two tablespoons olive oil and saute the onion until golden brown and soft.
• Add in the garlic and give it a nice stir.
• Add in the browned eggplants, turmeric, salt and black pepper. Mix and add the water. Cover and cook for ten to fifteen minutes until the eggplants are cooked through.
• Once the eggplants are cooked, turn the heat off and mash the eggplants using a potato masher or an immersion blender.
• Add kashk, one tablespoon dried mint and bloomed saffron to the eggplant mixture and stir well. Turn the heat on to medium and cook for another five to eight minutes.
• Serve warm with pita, lavash or naan bread.

EGGPLANT AND YOGURT SPREAD (BORANI-E BâDENJâN)

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to high.
• Prick the eggplants in several places with the tip of a knife and place under the hot broiler. Broil for 30 to 40 minutes, turning them halfway through, until the skin is charred and the flesh is very soft. Halve the grilled eggplant lengthwise. Scoop out the flesh and place in a colander for about 20 minutes to drain off the excess liquid. Mash the eggplants.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute or so. Add the mashed eggplants and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Take off the heat and let cool.
• Stir the strained yogurt into the cooled mixture. Transfer to a serving dish. Drizzle with the saffron water and sprinkle the chopped walnuts all over. Serve with the bread.

BORANIE BADEMJAN (PERSIAN EGGPLANT YOGURT DIP)

Steps:

• Rinse, prick the eggplants and roast in a 350F oven, turning frequently, for about 40 minutes, or until soft.
• Remove, place on a cutting board and let stand until cool enough to handle; peel the skin and chop the flesh.
• Transfer the flesh to a mixing bowl, add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly, seasoning to taste.
• In the serving dish, garnish with saffron water, yogurt and mint leaves and serve hot or cold with pita.
• Can be made in advance and stored in refrigerator.

KASHK-E-BADEMJAN IRANIAN EGGLPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Wash and peel eggplants. Cut the eggplants in lengthwise slices.
• Dry eggplants with a paper towel and sprinkle them with salt.
• In a pan, heat oil and fry the onions until it starts to brown.
• Add the garlic. Continue to cook, frequently stirring until the onions and garlic become brown and crispy. Set aside.
• Heat oil in another frying pan and lay the slices of eggplant in the pan over medium heat. Fry on both sides.
• Add water, tomatoes, salt, pepper, turmeric, half the fried onions and garlic, and half the Kashk to the eggplant in the pan. Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes, or until tomato and eggplant become soft.
• Mash the contents in the pan with a fork.
• Add the walnuts and the remainder of the Kashk. Simmer a few minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and Kashk.
• Garnish with Kashk, the remainder of the onions and garlic, and mint.
• Serve with naan lavash, taftoon, pita bread, or pita chips.
• :::::Alternative Eggplant Cooking:::::.
• Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
• Lay the sliced eggplant on the foil and spray each side with the cooking spray.
• Put under the broiler for 5 - 6 minutes, or until each side is browned and begins to fall apart.