Baba Ganoush

By LEP04

Ingredients

• 2 medium eggplants (about 2 pounds or 900 grams)
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) tahini, see our homemade tahini recipe
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) lemon juice
• 2 to 3 garlic cloves, finely minced (see note)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 1 teaspoon olive oil, optional

Preparation

Step 1

Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and turn broiler on (high heat). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Place eggplants onto the baking sheet and prick in several places using a fork. This helps steam escape while the eggplants roast. Broil eggplants 2 minutes on all sides. The skin will darken a little and begin to smell smoky, adding lots of flavor to the dip.

Turn broiler off, but do not remove eggplants from the oven. Heat oven to 375 degrees F, and then roast eggplants until very soft; 25 to 30 minutes. Cool 10 to 15 minutes until easily handled.

Meanwhile, combine tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin and the salt in a medium bowl. Set aside so the flavors meld.

Split the roasted eggplants, drain excess liquid, scrape out the flesh and add to the tahini mixture. (Discard excess liquid and skins). Mash eggplant into tahini mixture with a fork until somewhat smooth with some texture remaining. Cool to room temperature then stir in parsley and drizzle the top with olive oil. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days.