Lebanese Baba Ganoush ~ Vegan Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients for baba ganoush? ›

In its most basic form, baba ganoush is made with eggplant, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt. I found that adding a tiny bit of ground cumin, smoked paprika and fresh parsley takes it to the next level. Baba ganoush is similar to hummus, but it calls for grilled or roasted eggplant instead of chickpeas.

Mutabbal is probably what many people would recognise as 'Baba Ganoush', the staple aubergine dip of Middle Eastern restaurants everywhere. Though its name is not quite so catchy (Baba is the Arabic word for 'dad' and so baba ghanouj / ganoush roughly translates to something like 'spoiled daddy' or 'pampered papa').

If your Baba Ganoush tastes bitter, add a half teaspoon of baking soda at a time and blend well (tasting in between) to remove bitterness from the dish.

Homemade baba ganoush can be stored in the fridge in a tight-lid container for about 4 days or so (some say up to a week, but mine never lasts that long).

Baba Ganoush is not only delicious but also packed with nutritional benefits. Eggplants are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while tahini adds a dose of healthy fats and protein. This makes Baba Ganoush a heart-healthy choice that supports overall well-being.

Nasusin is known to fight free radical damage and inflammation and helps prevent cellular oxidative stress. Keep in mind, though, that nasunin is only found on the skin, meaning you have to include the skin in the Baba Ghanoush.

It is also a nickname for 'father' in some languages, and translates to "father" in the Arabic, Persian and Shona languages. In various Slavic languages “baba” means an “old lady” (as in the diminutive variation babushka).

Etymology. The word bābā in Arabic means 'father' and is also a term of endearment, while ġannūj could be a personal name. The word combination is also interpreted as "father of coquetry" or "indulged/pampered/flirtatious daddy" or "spoiled old daddy".

Baba Ghanoush may taste bitter due to factors like the choice of eggplant, insufficient roasting, or the use of too much garlic, lemon juice, or low-quality tahini.

perhaps that's what your little green party hat's for. There is only one way to make knockout Baba Ganoush – by smoking your aubergines. Smoky, charred lushness is what defines this dip.

What is the best store-bought baba ganoush? ›

In first place, the baba ghanoush from Whole Foods ($5.99/pound) had "good smoke and garlic notes." Tasters called it "smooth with some seeds for interest," and "well seasoned, with a nice hint of eggplant." One said it was "surprisingly good for the supermarket." Four would buy this brand and one might.

3) Health – Both dishes are very healthy, but baba ganoush has a slight edge here with more vitamins from the eggplant and a lower calorie count. 4) Big meal to come – Get baba ganoush, it's less filling than hummus.

One main difference between baba ganoush and hummus is baba ganoush's main ingredient, which is eggplant. In hummus, chickpeas are the primary ingredient. Although the difference seems simple, it makes a huge difference in the taste. Baba ganoush has an earthy taste while hummus has a more nutty tone.

The difference is that roasted eggplant forms the base for baba ganoush while chick peas are the backbone of hummus. The roasted eggplant lends this eggplant dip a slightly sweeter, smokier flavor, and a lower fat and calorie count than hummus. Plus it can be easier on the tummy than hard-to-digest chickpeas.