Roasted Eggplant Tahini Dip with Za'atar
Silky baba ghanoush made from roasted eggplants blended with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. Finished with fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, pomegranate seeds, and a sprinkle of Za'atar spice blend. Served warm with grilled pita bread for scooping.
Ingredients
- eggplant
- Za'atar seasoning (Knorr brand)
- pita breadflatbread1:1bread
any unleavened flatbread works
- tomato
- tahini (sesame paste)
- lemon
- 1 clove garlic
- cilantro, fresh
- olive oil
- hot paprika powder, ground
- pomegranate arils
Instructions
- 1
Pierce eggplant skin in several places.
- 2
Place eggplants in oven heated to 375°F for approximately 30 minutes.
- 3
Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- 4
Blanch tomatoes, remove skin, quarter, and remove seed cavities. Dice finely.
- 5
Chop cilantro and juice the lemon. Remove pomegranate arils.
- 6
Combine peeled eggplants and garlic in a blender. Add olive oil and lemon juice. Blend into a paste.
- 7
Add tahini, Za'atar seasoning, hot paprika, chopped cilantro, and diced tomatoes to the paste. Mix thoroughly. Season with salt to taste if needed.
- 8
Warm pita bread in oven or on grill.
- 9
Transfer dip to serving dish. Top with Za'atar, pomegranate arils, and a light drizzle of olive oil. Serve with warm pita bread.
Tips
Pierce eggplant skin to prevent bursting during roasting.
Cool eggplants completely before blending for easier handling.
Blanching tomatoes makes skin removal easier.
Adjust lemon juice and salt to taste for desired tanginess and seasoning.
Good to Know
Refrigerate in airtight container up to 4 days.
Prepare dip base (roasted eggplant and tahini mixture) up to 2 days ahead. Add fresh cilantro, tomatoes, and pomegranate seeds just before serving.
Serve at room temperature or slightly warm with grilled or warmed pita bread.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip cooling eggplants to avoid burning yourself and difficulty blending.
Do not over-blend to avoid paste becoming too thin and losing texture.
Do not add fresh herbs too far in advance to avoid discoloration and flavor loss.
Substitutions
Vegan Options
General Alternatives
any unleavened flatbread works