Baba ganoush

This vegan baba ganoush tastes SO good.  In fact I’d have to say that aubergine dip is one of my favourite recipes of all time.

With a creamy texture, a zingy taste and a hint of smokiness I could eat baba ganoush every day of the week and never get bored.

WHAT IS BABA GANOUSH?

Baba ganoush is a dip made from aubergines (also known as eggplant).

It's common across the middle east, in countries such as Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.

The aubergine is cooked and then mixed with tahini. 

Recipes do vary but other ingredients in this eggplant dip include olive oil, lemon juice, salt and sometimes cumin.

It’s very adaptable so feel free to play around with the combination below and make it your own.

Baba ganoush vs hummus

Baba ganoush and hummus are both delicious dips that originate in the middle east.

If you're trying to decide which to make I would say make both! Both dips are absolutely incredible and complement each other beautifully.

Both baba ganoush and hummus usually contain tahini (sesame paste), salt and olive oil.

However, the main ingredient of hummus is chickpeas. On the other hand the main ingredient of baba ganoush is aubergine (eggplant).

There are many different variations of hummus. For example you might like to try my harissa hummus or this cauliflower hummus.

DO YOU NEED TO COOK THE AUBERGINE (EGGPLANT) ON A FLAME TO MAKE SMOKY AUBERGINE DIP?

Traditionally baba ganoush is made by cooking the aubergines whole on the flame of a gas stove or under a grill. If you use this method your baba ganoush will have a delicious smoky flavour.

If, like me, you prefer an easy life or you don't want to mess around with cooking on flames, you can roast the aubergine instead.

Simply cut your aubergine in half lengthways, score the flesh with a sharp knife and brush with olive oil.

Then while the aubergine roasts away you're free to get the rest of the ingredients ready.

Ingredients for vegan baba ganoush

Full ingredients list, quantities and method are in the recipe card at the end of this post.

To make baba ganoush you will need:

To roast the aubergines

• 2 aubergines (eggplant)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the dip

• 1 tablespoon tahini
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin, optional
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 lemons 
• 2 cloves garlic 
• Salt to taste

To serve

• Small handful of chopped flat leaf parsley, optional
• Smoked paprika, optional
• Extra olive oil, optional

Equipment

Here’s what you’ll need to make baba ganoush

• chopping board
• knife
• roasting tray
• blender or food processor
• digital scales
• measuring spoons

Special diets

Baba ganoush is suitable for:

• vegans
• vegetarians
• gluten free

Serving suggestions

This vegan aubergine dip is delicious eaten on its own with some warm pitta bread. It's also perfect as part of a mezze meal.

To make a delicious plant-based feast you could serve your baba ganoush with a selection of the following dishes:

• hummus
• falafel
• Greek-style butter beans
• cauliflower bulgur pilaf
• shredded cabbage salad
• flatbreads
• jackfruit gyros
• fava bean dip
• beetroot dip
• tzatziki
• cauliflower hummus
• Israeli salad
• quinoa tabbouleh
• harissa hummus
• oil free hummus

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HOW TO MAKE BABA GANOUSH

For full recipe scroll to the recipe card at the end of this post.

You will need a blender or food processor for this recipe.

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (fan)/200°C/ gas mark 6. Lightly grease a baking tray.

2. Cut the aubergines in half lengthways. Using a sharp knife cut a criss cross pattern into the aubergine flesh. Take care not to cut through the skins.

3. Brush with olive oil and place in the oven for 40-45 minutes until soft.

4. When cooked remove from the oven and leave aside to cool. When cool remove the skins from the aubergine and scrape out the flesh.

5. Place all the ingredients apart from the salt, parsley and paprika into a food processor or high speed blender. Pulse until well combined. Taste and season with salt if needed.

6. Transfer to a bowl and serve with chopped flat leaf parsley, paprika and extra olive oil if desired.