Thanks to PAM Cooking Spray for sponsoring this post.
Baba Ghanoush
I know, I know. You guys have probably made baba ghanoush a million times and I’m the ONLY one sitting over here in my corner being a fussy-pants about roasting an eggplant. I honestly don’t know that I’ve touched an eggplant before this, which is ridiculous considering how much I love Mediterranean food. And roasting things always leaves tons of caramelized goodness stuck to the baking sheet to try and scrub off. But hey, isn’t working with PAM Cooking Spray the perfect time to give that a try?
Annnnd I now realize what a ninny I was. Apparently, baba ghanoush is super easy to whip up, and you won’t sacrifice any of family dinner time to make a batch alongside some hummus, tahini sauce, and other goodies for a Mediterranean feast! I usually reuse my food processor for each recipe without worrying about cleaning in between, because the flavors overlap so wonderfully.
Bonus? I just bought new baking sheets (that’s one in the middle photo up there; aren’t they pretty?) and PAM Cooking Spray left them residue-free and easy to clean. I didn’t even have to waste any foil or parchment covering them. Less time spent cleaning and more time dipping into baba ghanoush out on my balcony in the springtime sunshine! I hope you won’t wait as long as I did to try this iconic dip!
One year ago: Giant Skillet Lemon Sugar Cookie
Two years ago: Lemon Cream Pie Bars
Three years ago: Bailey’s Hazelnut Chocolate Tiramisu (and Photographing FOOD)
Four years ago: Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Orange Rosemary Butter & Goat Cheese
Five years ago: Mini Apple Pies with Cheddar Crusts
Six years ago: Chocolate Sheet Cake
- 1 large eggplant (about 1 pound)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup tahini
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- Salt
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Sesame oil
- PAM Cooking Spray
- Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch slices and salt both sides of each slice. Set the slices in a colander in the sink to drain for 20 minutes while you prepare everything else. Spray two baking sheets with PAM Cooking Spray and preheat your oven's broiler.
- When the eggplant has drained, rinse the salt off of both sides and pat dry with paper towels. Place the slices on the prepared baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Sprinkle salt over the slices. Roast under the broiler for 5-10 minutes, turning every few minutes, or until soft and browned. Stack the slices onto a sheet of foil and close it up around them, allowing them to rest for 5 minutes. Then gently peel away the skin from each slice and put the flesh into the bowl of a food processor. Add the garlic, lemon juice, tahini, pepper flakes, and more salt. Process until smooth, and taste. Add more lemon juice, salt, or tahini as needed for your taste — don't be shy about tweaking, mixing, tasting, and tweaking again, which is the secret to getting any dip just perfect for your preference. Transfer to a bowl and stir in chopped parsley. Serve with a drizzle of sesame oil and pita for dipping.
With all the planning that goes into putting together the perfect dish, using PAM Cooking Spray is a sensible way to save time in the kitchen. When you use PAM, you spend less time cleaning up in the kitchen, allowing for more time to be spent with the ones you love. Bonus? PAM Cooking Spray leaves 99% less residue* than leading brands of margarine or bargain-brand sprays, so your dishes will turn out great and you’ll spend less time cleaning up.
*vs. leading cooking sprays (except olive oil), after spraying on glass bakeware, baking at 400°F for 30 minutes, cooling, and then washing in a standard home dishwasher with detergent and repeating four times.
Foodiewife
April 1, 2016 at 11:16 am (9 years ago)LOL! I haven’t never worked with eggplant, either. You’ve inspired me to do so.
Catherine
April 1, 2016 at 2:00 pm (9 years ago)Dear Julie, I love baba ghanoush! Eggplant isn’t so bad to work with now is it? 😉 …this looks fabulous dear and I love how easy it is to whip up. xo, Catherine
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
April 1, 2016 at 11:25 pm (9 years ago)This is one of my favorite dips! I haven’t made it in eons, but had some recently for the first time in a loooong time. So yummy! And you can always count on PAM 🙂
Alida // Alida's Kitchen
April 2, 2016 at 5:28 pm (9 years ago)This looks so good! PAM is always such a kitchen saver – love it!
Aggie
April 3, 2016 at 9:03 am (9 years ago)Oh I’m totally loving this recipe!! I always order this when I see it on a menu, I have got to start making it at home. Thank you for sharing your recipe! 🙂
Nutmeg Nanny
April 4, 2016 at 7:28 am (9 years ago)This looks so easy and crazy delicious! PAM is a goto in my kitchen. I hate when things stick!
Amy | Club Narwhal
April 5, 2016 at 12:02 pm (9 years ago)OMG, so glad you are on the eggplant train! It took me awhile to get on board and baba ghanoush is what finally convinced me 😉 Your version looks AMAZING!
Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama
April 5, 2016 at 6:05 pm (9 years ago)I love how easy this is, and I HAVE to make it asap.
Angie
April 6, 2016 at 5:14 am (9 years ago)I have never had baba ganoush, but I love eggplant! so I am thinking I would love this! It looks like it would be the perfect healthy snack!