Baba Ganoush - A World Class Eggplant Dip
Baba Ganoush, also known as baba ganouj or baba ganoush, is an authentic Middle Eastern appetizer made by boiling eggplants, onions, garlic, spices, pepper, salt, and different seasonings in a pan over high heat until the eggplants are soft. The resulting mixture is then allowed to cool and solidify, which gives it its shape. The young leaves of the mint plant, (also called mitracarpus soldii,) are often added during the process of aging. It can be served with tomatoes, onions, or various other vegetables.
Traditionally, baba ganoush is served with a creamy dip. Recipes vary but usually include yogurt and/or buttermilk. If using yogurt, make sure it is not thick and that it is the correct flavor for the specific type of eggplant you are using. Lemon juice makes the dish taste better when added at the end.
One of the main reasons why this dish is popular is because it is made quickly. Typically, when you make homemade baba ganoush it will be ready to eat within a few minutes. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week if you store it properly. When you buy it in the store it may not always be fresh. It will generally be covered in a brown paper bag and will smell like eggplant heaven.
There are two basic types of baba ganoush. There is the traditional, which uses an entire eggplant including the skin; and there are variations that use different ingredients and fillings. The traditional filling includes hummus (made with chickpeas) and garlic. The traditional base is ground beef or lamb or chicken; other base ingredients can be Greek or Russian sausages, garlic or oregano; and of course, the eggplant.
Most recipes call for oil or vinegar along with salt, pepper, and lemon. Other flavorings are often applied as well. These options all depend on your preferences but the most common ones are; honey, garlic, lemon, rosemary, hot sauce, tamarind, etc. Some of the more exotic choices for these dips include; Kaju Katli, Roasted Red Potatoes, Pickle, Tandoori Chicken with Halwa, etc.
With all of the preparation, cooking, and dipping options, how can anyone say that baba ganoush is not tasty? The key to a tasty dish is the right balance of the ingredients and spices used in the recipe. Sometimes, it's just impossible to get everything perfectly. For example, it's pretty easy to over-salt or under-season the ingredients. This leads to an underwhelming taste, where the seasoning isn't fully infused with the true flavor of the meat or vegetable. Or sometimes the ingredients aren't seasoned enough, leading to an underwhelming flavor and texture as well.
To get the best result out of any recipe, one should make sure it is made using the freshest and most flavorful ingredients possible. Also, one should use high quality cooking equipment like the Baba Ganoush for deep frying. When preparing the eggplant dip, this is the perfect recipe to use because of the thickness of the dip and the even distribution of the ingredients across the eggplant. A good, thick layer of dip will cook quickly and the cooking time is kept to a minimum.
One of the things I love about this Baba Ganoush recipe is that it is absolutely foolproof. There is no way to go wrong with this classic Middle Eastern eggplant dip. You can add many things to it, or you can make it very simple as is. Either way, the eggplant is always a welcome addition to any meal. Plus, the wonderful thick texture of the Baba Ghanouj makes for a satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy.