Baba Ganoush

wpid-wp-1428598395018.jpeg

Baba Ganoush is a popular Levantine dip made from smoked aubergines. A frequent fore runner to an Arabic main course, it is delicately flavored with garlic, lemon juice and tahini, and eaten with baked pita chips, pita bread or khoobz. It is healthy, vegan, gluten free and delicious.

‘Baba’ in Arabic means ‘father’ and Baba Ganoush could be poetically translated into ‘daddy’s darling’ or ‘pampered father’.According to Middle Eastern food lore, it alludes to an elderly, toothless father – or baba – whose daughter had to mash his food because he wasn’t able to chew it. I will stick with the former translation ‘daddy’s darling’ and dedicate this deliciously healthy dip to my father.

A girl’s relationship with her father is one of the most precious ones in her life and even when she grows up and moves on with her life she will always be a little princess in her daddy’s eyes.

All the daddies and daddy’s girls…enjoy this heart touching song while I go prepare the smoky appetizing dip…

 

As with most other foods, even with this dish, balancing of flavors is very crucial. We can not let any ingredient over power the rest of them. The aubergines are either roasted directly over a gas flame or they are baked in an oven till soft. I personally prefer roasting them over a flame because it gives the signature smokiness to the dish.

[recipe]

Baba Ganoush

  • Servings: 2-3
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients:

  • 1 large eggplant
  • 2 large cloves garlic
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • salt to taste
  • 1 pinch red chili powder for sprinkling (optional )
  • 1 pinch ground cumin powder ( optional )
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Method:

Place the aubergine directly over a medium gas flame. keep turning it occasionally till the skin gets evenly charred and crisp. remove from flame and let it cool. Slit it open vertically into two halves. Gently scoop out the flesh and place it in a bowl. Mash it with the back of a fork. Now add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Adjust seasonings according to taste. Drizzle another tablespoon of olive oil before serving. You can sprinkle paprika or red chili powder if desired.

Serve with baked pita chips/pita / khoobz or any other flat bread. Use it as a sandwich  or tortilla spread. Its versatility is what makes it so immensely popular. 

You can store it in a refrigerator in an air-tight container but remember to serve at room temperature.

 

wpid-2015-04-09_22.31.18.jpg

35 Comments Add yours

  1. Zoale.com says:

    I didn’t know the meaning behind Baba Ganoush. Love this post ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. skd says:

      Thank you ☺👍

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I love baba ganoush. Yours is beautiful. Thanks for the recipe.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. skd says:

      Thank you so much for the kind words of appreciation☺

      Like

  3. Of course, I love it!!!! 😀😀

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Lety C says:

    Beautiful post. I knew that father-daughter relationship is so important in girls formation that when she grows up she will go and find a man who treats her just as her father did and build a relationship with him.

    Like

    1. skd says:

      Yeah very true. Fathers play a major role in shaping a girls attitude towards men in general and their confidence.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. This dip looks delicious. I’ve heard of Baba Ganoush before but didn’t know what it was so enjoyed the post!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. skd says:

      Thank you dear Julie ☺

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I can’t stop thinking about the toothless father 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. skd says:

        ☺And his caring daughter lol

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Traditionally Modern Food says:

    Like this sutta kathirikai chutney version

    Liked by 1 person

    1. skd says:

      Wow! Is that what eggplants are called in tamil. Thank you for liking it ☺

      Like

  7. I’m addicted to baba ganoush 😀 It looks so tasty!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. skd says:

      Thank you Linda ☺ It is my new found love. Even better than Hummus for me lol

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Mr Fitz says:

    Making this tonite as you have inspired me!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. skd says:

      It should go well with Mrs.Fitz’s awesome flat breads and your grilled meats 👍☺

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Mr Fitz says:

        Thank you!

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Lina says:

    That is fabulous..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. skd says:

      Thank you dear ☺

      Liked by 1 person

  10. fazal says:

    Dear SKD
    It looks that you have added in your recipees for senior citizens like me
    I would like to try it

    Liked by 1 person

    1. skd says:

      Sure you will love it 😊Thank you

      Like

  11. Loretta says:

    Very very nice Skd, I love baba ganoush – this would be such a great appetizer for a party, served with various flat breads of course. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. skd says:

      Thank you Loretta ☺ I am so sad I wouldn’t be joining all of you at the FF as I will be out of town. Happy FF and have a nice weekend

      Like

  12. Aquileana says:

    Awesome dear SKD… I´d love to try this one!!!!… Happy weekend and best wishes to you. Aquileana 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. skd says:

      Thank you Aquileana ☺ Have a wonderful weekend too. As I am going out of town I couldn’t enjoy your new post thoroughly as I always do. Looks excellent as usual.Hope to come back and read in leisure 👍

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Aquileana says:

        It is still early here so just catching up… You enjoy your outing and, no worries, you don´t even need to comment . Your likes and blogger friendship are well enough to me… Best to you, Aquileana 😀

        Liked by 1 person

      2. skd says:

        Aww…thats so sweet of you. I will catch up with you soon.

        Like

  13. Wow!! look so good!!! Can’t wait to try this soon!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. skd says:

      Thank you dear ☺ It is so easy to make.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. TP MLILO says:

    Looks awesome, I’m sure the taste is even better.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. skd says:

      Thank you . It really tastes awesome and very easy to make.

      Like

  15. Sarah K Mock says:

    This is a great poost thanks

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to skd Cancel reply