Skip to content
UltraTruffle
Menu
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Desserts
    • Dinner
    • Pasta
    • Salad
    • Side Dish
    • Soup
  • Tools & Ingredients
  • Contact Me
Menu

Grilled Eggplant Dip (Baba Ganoush)

Posted on September 7, 2021March 17, 2022 by Jen

The Mad Apple…

A Bit of History:

Sometimes I feel like a mad scientist in the kitchen. Mixing seemingly random ingredients, running the blender until it smokes, dropping things in the oven and then pondering where the burning smell is emanating from. While conducting a bit of research for my version of Grilled Eggplant Dip, the name “mad apple” really resonated.

The origins of eggplant are unclear and are often attributed to India, Africa, or South Asia. Eggplants first appear in Chinese manuscripts around 544 CE. From China, the eggplant slowly made its way to Persia. Writings from Al Raz (854-925 CE) a Persian scholar, describe the clinical symptoms of gum disease as the color of eggplant. This did not bode well for eggplant’s reputation. Other Persian documents attribute eggplant as a cause of a whole host of maladies including ulcers, intestinal blockage, and leprosy. From Persia, eggplant traveled westward with the Arabs in the 7th and 8th centuries and spread throughout the Mediterranean. In Italian, the word for eggplant is melanzana. Over time, this word morphed into mela insana, which translates into the “mad apple.” This helped fuel the rumor that eggplants could cause insanity.

According to the Culture of Arab Food, in the Middle Eastern Arab countries, over 150 traditional recipes feature eggplant. Although I have not had the pleasure of sampling most of these dishes, baba ganoush is one of my favorite ways to prepare eggplant.

About the Recipe: Grilled Eggplant Dip

I love slowly grilling the eggplant to enhance its smoky flavor. When combined with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and za’tar it makes a wonderful spread for sandwiches or dipping pita and vegetables. The recipe below describes how we make this fabulous dish at my house using the beautiful eggplant varieties from our local farmers. Grilled Eggplant dip takes a bit of time, but very little work! Simply, poke some holes in a whole eggplant and roast, grill, or smoke it for about 40 minutes until charred and beginning to collapse. Next, scrape out the delicious interiors and combine in a blender with the remaining ingredients.


Baba Ganoush

Baba Ganoush (Grilled Eggplant Dip)

Smoky grilled eggplant whipped into a wonderful spread seasoned with za'tar and tahini. The perfect condiment for dipping pita bread, raw vegetables, or a wonderful sandwich spread.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 45 mins
Course Appetizer, Condiment
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients
  

  • 2 eggplants (grilled or roasted in the oven)*
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1/3 cup olive oil (plus additional for serving)
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 2 tbsp za'tar
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Poke holes in the eggplant with the edge of a sharp knife. (This is to prevent it from exploding in your grill or oven!).
  • Grill or roast in the oven for approximately 40 minutes or until the eggplant is charred and begins to collapse. On the grill I like to keep the heat on the lower side around 300-350.
  • Once the eggplant has cooked, remove the top and slice in half lengthwise. Scrape out the inner portions into a blender. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth.
  • Before serving, drizzle with olive oil and top with additional za'tar. Baba Ganoush is wonderful served with toasted pita bread or chips, raw vegetables, or as a sandwich topping.

Notes

*I like to use two small to medium Japanese eggplant or fairytale eggplant. You can substitute one larger traditional eggplant instead.
*If roasting in the oven, cook at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes or until eggplant collapses.
 
Keyword best easy homemade baba ganoush, easy baba ganoush, homemade smoky baba ganoush, plant-based baba ganoush, smoky grilled eggplant spread, ultratruffled smoky baba ganoush, vegan baba ganoush
Baba Ganoush

Looking for some other great spreads and dips? Try these Ultratruffle favorites:

Easy Beet Hummus

Smoked Fig Jam Bruschetta

Roasted Carrot Ginger White Bean Spread

Strawberry Mint Basil Cucumber Salad

WANT MORE?

Grab 5 Fan Favorite Recipes in our Free Download when you sign up to receive the latest Ultratruffle recipes and news!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Slow Food, Less Effort, 1 Ingredient at a Time

Are you striving to make a lifestyle change or looking to discover plant-focused recipes the whole family will love?

My name is Jen. I am a wife, mom, and a pharmacist. I love to cook for my family, hike, run, and read about history. I enjoy eating fresh, seasonal, locally available produce. In addition to endurance trail runs and long bike rides, I will happily set out on foraging hikes for mushrooms and truffles.

Waiting for the seasons to change, fruits to ripen, vegetables to mature, or truffles to reach their peak (7-11 years) is an endurance sport in itself.  Nonetheless, the time and effort spent is well worth crossing that finish line and enjoying a delicious, healthy meal.

I always say the slower you run, the more you enjoy the trail. Food is the same. Cooking together in the kitchen with freshly harvested fruits and vegetables is all about taking life slower and enjoying the process and experience. Plant-based, healthy food for the whole family with less effort, so you can slow down and enjoy life!

Disclaimer: This website is for sharing recipes and cooking techniques that I use in my kitchen. It is not intended as medical advice. Ingredient information is for general knowledge only. Please consult your physician for medical questions and concerns regarding your personal health.

All rights reserved. Copyright pending. Recipes/photographs may not be copied and/or re-posted as an original work without express written consent by website owner.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Recent Posts

  • Parsley Horseradish Yogurt Sauce
  • Double Chocolate Goji Berry Cookies
  • Vegan Morel Mushroom Risotto
  • Salt-Crusted Baby Potatoes &…
  • Fig Salad with Creamy Toasted Pecan Dressing

Archives

  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
© 2023 UltraTruffle | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme