The Meatwave

Spicy and Chunky Baba Ghanoush

Spicy and Chunky Baba Ghanoush View Recipe

While in Southern Spain last spring, I came across a baba ghanoush in a Moroccan restaurant that was so starkly different than what I make that it ignited a desire to try to put together something similar as soon as I got home. It took me a few years to get a baba ghanoush recipe I really loved, and since then, I haven't changed a thing, but this new variation challenged me to rethink how to put together this smoky eggplant dip. My recipe was smooth, this dip was chunky. My recipe was mellow, this had a kick of heat to it. My recipe was thick and creamy, this one was thinner and oily (in a good way). So I had my work cut out for me, but I was up to the task and this spicy and chunky baba ghanoush is what came out of it.

Chunky & Spicy Baba Ghanoush

One of the most noticeably differences right off the bat was this particular dip had both a smooth eggplant base, as well as soft and squishy chunks of eggplant to add a lot of texture. To strike this balance between smooth and chunky, I picked up two eggplants and prepared them both in different ways.

With the first, I peeled the eggplant and then sliced it into strips lengthwise about 1/2-inch thick. I seasoned the eggplant slices and grilled them over direct heat until well browned on on the outside, and soft—but not falling apart soft—on the inside. Once cooled, I roughly diced these eggplant slices.

Chunky & Spicy Baba Ghanoush

I gave the second eggplant the more traditional baba ghanoush preparation. This started with piercing the skin of the eggplant all over with fork to allow moisture to escape during cooking.

Chunky & Spicy Baba Ghanoush

Then I placed the eggplant over indirect heat and covered the grill with the top vent situated over the eggplant. Then I waited as the smoke from the charcoal snaked over the eggplant and the medium heat slowly rendered the firm flesh completely soft. This took about 45 minutes total.

Chunky & Spicy Baba Ghanoush

Once cooled slightly, I was able to slice the eggplant open, scoop out the pulp, and let it drain in a fine mesh strainer for five minutes. This not only relives the eggplant of excess moisture, but also drains away a bit of the bitterness that is occasionally associated with eggplant as well.

Chunky & Spicy Baba Ghanoush

Next I transferred the pulp to a large bowl and mashed it with a whisk until smoothed out with a little texture remaining. Then I mixed it more extra-virgin olive oil than I would normally think would be necessary, as well as tahini, hot paprika, garlic, and cumin. Once mixed together, I folded in the reserved diced eggplant and the dip was just about done.

Chunky & Spicy Baba Ghanoush

After an hours rest in the refrigerator, I was rewarded the spicy, chunky, creamy, smoky, and earthy baba ghanoush I wanted. It was definitely different the standard eggplant dip that I purée to super smooth in the food processor—this one had a more complex flavor and texture that created a challenge from the norm that I think is great is so many ways.

Print Recipe

Spicy and Chunky Baba Ghanoush

  • Yield 6 servings
  • Prep 5 Minutes
  • Cook 55 Minutes
  • Total 1 Hour

Ingredients

  • 2 large globe eggplants (about 2 pounds)
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing and serving
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice from 2 lemons
  • 1 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 teaspoons hot paprika
  • 1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic (about 1 medium clove)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Procedure

  1. Peel one eggplant, stem, and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices lengthwise. Pierce skin of second eggplant with a fork all over.
  2. Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange the coals on one side of the charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate. Season eggplant slices with salt and brush with oil. Grill eggplant slices over hot side of grill until browned, about 4 minutes. Flip slices over and continue to grill until second side has browned and eggplant has softened, about 4 minutes more. Transfer eggplant slices to a cutting board and cut into 1/2-inch dice. Set aside.
  3. Place second, whole eggplant on cool side of grill. Cover and cook until skin darkens and wrinkles and eggplant is uniformly soft when pressed with tongs, about 45 minutes, turning halfway through for even cooking. Remove eggplant from grill and let sit until cool enough to handle, 5-10 minutes.
  4. Set a fine mesh strainer over bowl or in sink. Trim top off whole eggplant and cut eggplant lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out pulp from skin and place pulp in strainer; discard skin. Let pulp drain for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Transfer pulp to a large bowl and mash with a whisk until eggplant is broken up, but still chunky. Whisk in 1/2 cup oil, lemon juice, tahini, paprika, garlic, and cumin. Stir in diced eggplant slices and season with salt to taste. Place in refrigerator until cool, about 1 hour. To serve, drizzle olive oil over dip and sprinkle with parsley.

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Comments

  1. Bobby Looks quite good. I am going to try this next time.

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