Eggplant Dip (Mutabal Betinjan)
If you haven't tried eggplant (aubergine) dip, well... where have you been? You are in for a treat! This traditional middle eastern dip, also referred to as Mutabal Betinjan (and similar to Baba Ganoush), is full of delicious charred, smokey flavours, because you roast the eggplant whole before preparing the dip.
Eggplants are rich in fibre, and are a good source of copper, manganese, vitamin B6, and thiamine. In addition, they are also bursting with antioxidants. Eggplants are an ideal daily edition to your diet - not just for the health benefits, but because they are delicious too!
This dip is easy to make, and best served piled up on warm pita bread or unleavened bread, and is the perfect addition to a platter of hummus, falafels, roasted cauliflower, and fresh veggie sticks like carrot and cucumber.
Ingredients
- 1 Eggplant (Aubergine)
- Salt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp chilli sauce
- 1 tbsp parsley
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 2 tbsp spring onion (scallions), chopped
Make a cream with
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp coconut yoghurt
Garnish with extra's of your choice - we love:
- Pomegranate seeds
- Spring onion (scallions)
- Parsley
- Olive oil
Method
1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees. Bake your eggplant whole until the outside is cracked and wrinkled, with the skin mostly blackened by the cooking process. This can take anywhere from 30-60 mins. If you have a BBQ, the eggplant roasted on open flames is even tastier!
2. Once cooked, leave to cool for 10 mins, then peel away the skin.
3. Add the flesh of the eggplant to a bowl, and add in a pinch of salt and the rest of your ingredients and stir well. You can also add to a blender at this point if you prefer a smoother dip.
4. Finally, garnish add your garnishes and serve fresh with warm pita bread. Enjoy!
This recipe was created by Sarah, owner of Khamsa Cafe in Sydney, and is inspired by her Palestinian heritage. Khamsa Cafe's mission is to share progressive Middle Eastern culture and plant-based food with the world.
Have you ever tried Palestinian food? Let us know with a comment below!
