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Moutabal is sometimes called baba ganoush. Although both dishes use roasted eggplant as a base, baba ganoush can also have other vegetables, such as tomatoes and onions, added. Moutabal, on the other hand, is just eggplant. Clear plastic containers of hummus and moutabal were everywhere in Saudi Arabia, even in our high school cafeteria. I’ve replicated that flavour from Riyadh, which incorporates more lemon juice into the hummus or baba ganoush that in the dips that I’ve eaten here in Canada.
For the best flavour, roast or grill the eggplant over direct flames or charcoal. This chars the skin (which you dispose of anyway) but lends a great, smoky flavour to the dip. A friend’s mom would put a whole eggplant (pierced all over with a fork) onto one of her burners on her gas stove. Alas, I only have an electric stove, so I roasted my eggplant in the oven. It will still work, but the flavour will be slightly different. Try it both ways and see which one you prefer!
- 1 large eggplant
- 5 garlic cloves
- 4 Tbsp tahini
- 4 Tbsp mayonnaise
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice
- Olive oil, paprika, pomegranate seeds to garnish
- Preheat grill; if using an oven, set to 425F.
- Prick the eggplant all over with a fork. Bake or grill for 20-30 minutes or until the eggplant starts to soften.
- Keeping the garlic cloves in their skins, add the garlic to the grill or oven, and cook for 10-20 more minutes, or until the eggplant is cooked through.
- Remove the eggplant from the heat and let cool slightly, until cool enough to handle. Peel the eggplant and scrape any flesh from the skin into a colander. Add the cooked eggplant flesh to the colander and let drain for 5-10 minutes.
- Peel the garlic and place in a medium bowl. Add the cooked, drained eggplant and the remaining ingredients. Mash with a fork until everything is mixed together.
- Garnish with olive oil, paprika and/or pomegranate seeds.
- Serve with pita or raw veggies.
[…] had our favourites, ranging from mixed fruit juices, manakeesh with Accawi cheese, moutabal, mujadara, and pink turnip pickles. Everything was amazing, from the Arabic music to the smells of […]