Borani E Bademjan Recipes

BORANI-E BADEMJAN

Steps:

• Broil or roast and peel the eggplants (see page 63).
• Chop the flesh with a pointed knife in a colander to let the juices escape, then mash them with a fork or a spoon. Pour into a bowl and beat in the olive oil and the yogurt and mix vigorously until it is thoroughly blended with the eggplant puree. Mix in the garlic and salt, spoon into a serving bowl, and garnish, if you like, with chopped parsley. Serve cold.
• Instead of yogurt, add 2/3 cup fresh thick cream or sour cream and omit the oil.
• Add 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint or 1 tablespoon dried.
• Garnish with 1/4 teaspoon crushed saffron threads mixed with 2 tablespoons boiling water, then with 2 tablespoons of yogurt. Dribble this on top.

BORANI-E BADEMJAN (PERSIAN EGGPLANT AND YOGURT DIP)

Steps:

• Bake eggplants whole on a baking sheet at 350º F for 1 hour. Carefully remove, and allow to come to room temperature. Once cool, peel eggplant and place in a colander to drain.
• In a skillet, sauté onions in oil for 10 minutes over medium heat. Add garlic, walnuts and spices and sauté for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add yogurt, mint and lime juice; set aside.
• In a food processor, roughly purée eggplant with onion mixture until most of the dip is puréed with some pieces of eggplant and onion still visible. Add salt, to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with chives. Serve with flatbread.

BORANI BADEMJAN | FRIED EGGPLANT YOGURT DIP RECIPE

Steps:

• Peel the eggplants and sprinkle salt on them. Wait for 20minutes to have the bitter taste vanished. Wash the eggplants then. Fry them in a suitable frying pan. Place the fried eggplants on a napkin in order to have the extra oil removed.
• Knead the fried eggplants and try to tenderize them well. Put them aside and let them cool down. Grate the garlic cloves and mix them with the strained yogurt. Then add the eggplants to them too. Add salt, pepper and dried mint. You can use dried mint for the garnish. Better to keep the borani in the fridge for at least 3 hours. It will help you have a better tasting borani!

BORANIE BADEMJAN (PERSIAN EGGPLANT YOGURT DIP)

Steps:

• Rinse, prick the eggplants and roast in a 350F oven, turning frequently, for about 40 minutes, or until soft.
• Remove, place on a cutting board and let stand until cool enough to handle; peel the skin and chop the flesh.
• Transfer the flesh to a mixing bowl, add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly, seasoning to taste.
• In the serving dish, garnish with saffron water, yogurt and mint leaves and serve hot or cold with pita.
• Can be made in advance and stored in refrigerator.