Eggplant Aubergine Tahini Dip Food

CREAMY EGGPLANT & CARAMELIZED ONION DIP (KASHKE BADEMJAN)

Steps:

• Sprinkle your eggplant with salt on both sides and place in a colander in the sink to drain excess water. After 10 minutes, lightly rinse with water and then press dry between two towels.
• Preheat oven to high broil (or medium if you have the option) and position a rack at the top of the oven.
• Arrange eggplant rounds on a baking sheet drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Roast for 5-7 minutes, turning once or twice until eggplant is softened and golden brown. Remove from pan and let cool to the touch.
• While eggplant is roasting, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2-3 Tbsp olive oil. Add onion and stir often until caramelized - turn heat to low if browning too quickly. Add minced garlic in the last few minutes so it doesn't burn. Set aside.
• Peel away the skin of the eggplant (if a little is left that's OK) and add flesh to a mixing bowl. It should be soft and tender. Add onion-garlic mixture and mash with a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• OPTIONAL: Add 1/4 cup Greek yogurt and stir once more - this makes the dip ultra creamy, but is not necessary if vegan or dairy intolerant.
• Serve immediately with pita, toasted baguette, or assorted veggies. Best when eaten fresh, but it will keep in the fridge covered for a couple of days.

SMOKY EGGPLANT DIP (EGGPLANT MOUTABAL)

Steps:

• Remove grate and prepare a charcoal grill for medium heat (coals should be covered with ash and glowing red with no black remaining). Place eggplants directly on coals and cook, turning occasionally, until skins are completely charred and flesh collapses, 15-20 minutes. (Alternatively, you can char over a gas burner on medium-high heat, turning occasionally with tongs, 12-15 minutes.) Transfer to a colander set over a medium bowl. Let cool 15 minutes.
• Remove skins from eggplants (it's okay if some bits of charred skin don't come off). Transfer flesh to a sieve set over a bowl and let drain 10 minutes.
• Transfer eggplant flesh to a food processor; add tahini, lemon juice, and 3 Tbsp. oil and process until creamy; season dip with salt.
• Transfer dip to a bowl and top with pomegranate seeds and black sesame seeds; drizzle with more oil.
• Do Ahead
• Dip can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

LEBANESE BABA GHANOUSH WITHOUT TAHINI

Steps:

• Place the eggplants over a high gas flame on your stove. Allow it to char on all sides, turning the eggplant every 5 minutes to get a nice smokey flavor. Once cooked, set aside on a plate to cool.
• Alternatively, preheat your oven to 450F. Place the eggplants on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until charred on the outside and cooked through. Allow to cool.
• Once cooled, scoop the flesh out of each eggplant and into a food processor. Add the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper. Process until smooth. Taste and add more lemon juice, oil, or salt if needed.
• Serve garnished with parsley and olive oil.

EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)-TAHINI DIP

Steps:

• Roast eggplant under the broiler, turning frequently, until the skin is charred and blistered.
• Peel away the skin, chop flesh roughly and drain in a colander for 30 minutes, and then press or blot to leak out as much liquid from the flesh as you can.
• Put eggplant flesh into blender, add tahini, garlic, almonds, lemon juice, cumin powder, salt and pepper.
• Transfer to serving bowl, fold in mint leaves and drizzle with olive oil.
• Goes well with pita crackers.

BLACK-TAHINI AND EGGPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Place eggplant on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet and broil, turning occasionally, until soft and blistered all over, 15 minutes. Let cool 20 minutes, then cut open lengthwise and scoop out flesh into a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl; press with a spatula to remove excess liquid.
• Add eggplant to the bowl of a food processor with garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt. Process until smooth, 30 seconds. Drizzle in oil; pulse until combined.
• Transfer mixture to a serving dish. Stir 2 teaspoons water into yogurt; drizzle over dip. Sprinkle with cayenne and red-pepper flakes. Serve with grissini or chips.

BAKED ZA'ATAR EGGPLANT FRIES WITH LEMON TAHINI DIP

Steps:

• To make the eggplant fries, preheat the oven to 425°F Wedge a wire rack atop a baking sheet (so the fries will be slightly elevated and not directly touching the baking sheet).
• Cut the eggplant into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Then cut each round into 1/2-inch thick spears. Set aside.
• Pour the flour into a small bowl. Beat the eggs together in another small bowl. In a third small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, za'atar, salt and cayenne.
• Roll the eggplant spears in the flour, dunk them in the egg, and then roll them into the bread crumb mixture. Lay each spear close to one another on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and crispy, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle the tops with flaky salt.
• While the fries are baking, combine all the ingredients for the dip except the water in a small bowl. To thin, add a drizzle of water and stir vigorously until you reach the desired consistency.
• Serve the fries with the dipping sauce while the fries are still hot.

EGGPLANT AND TAHINI SPREAD

Steps:

• Prepare grill for cooking.
• Grill eggplants on a rack set 4 inches over glowing coals, turning every 10 minutes, until charred all over and very soft, 20 to 35 minutes. (Or broil in a shallow baking pan about 6 inches from heat, turning occasionally.) Cool eggplants.
• Discard charred skins and tough stem ends and purée eggplants in a blender with tahini, garlic paste, lemon juice, cumin, and salt until combined well. Season with more salt if necessary.
• Transfer to a plate or bowl, then drizzle with oil and sprinkle with parsley.

SMOKY EGGPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Pierce each eggplant with the tip of a knife in about 10 spots. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until very soft and cracking in a few spots, about 50 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Cut each eggplant open lengthwise and scrape out the flesh with a large spoon; discard the skin. Place the flesh in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to coarsely chop. Add the parsley, mint, oregano, lemon juice, chiles, salt and olive oil. Puree for 20 seconds to combine. Allow to cool slightly before serving with crackers.