Eggplant Onion Dip Recipes

CREAMY EGGPLANT & CARAMELIZED ONION DIP (KASHKE BADEMJAN)

Steps:

• Sprinkle your eggplant with salt on both sides and place in a colander in the sink to drain excess water. After 10 minutes, lightly rinse with water and then press dry between two towels.
• Preheat oven to high broil (or medium if you have the option) and position a rack at the top of the oven.
• Arrange eggplant rounds on a baking sheet drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Roast for 5-7 minutes, turning once or twice until eggplant is softened and golden brown. Remove from pan and let cool to the touch.
• While eggplant is roasting, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2-3 Tbsp olive oil. Add onion and stir often until caramelized - turn heat to low if browning too quickly. Add minced garlic in the last few minutes so it doesn't burn. Set aside.
• Peel away the skin of the eggplant (if a little is left that's OK) and add flesh to a mixing bowl. It should be soft and tender. Add onion-garlic mixture and mash with a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• OPTIONAL: Add 1/4 cup Greek yogurt and stir once more - this makes the dip ultra creamy, but is not necessary if vegan or dairy intolerant.
• Serve immediately with pita, toasted baguette, or assorted veggies. Best when eaten fresh, but it will keep in the fridge covered for a couple of days.

ROASTED EGGPLANT, ONION AND GARLIC DIP OR SPREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Rub eggplant and onion with olive oil and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake about 25-30 minutes, until the eggplant and onion have softened, turning once.
• Add the garlic to the baking sheet at the baking halfway point, approximately 15 minutes.
• Remove from oven and cool until able to handle.
• Peel the eggplant and garlic and place into food processor (easiest way to get the eggplant is to cut in half and scoop it out with a spoon).
• Cut the onion into quarters or large chunks and add to the food processor.
• Add vinegar, lemon juice, parmesan, salt and pepper.
• Pulse until it is of a dip or spread consistency.
• Add cilantro and briefly pulse.
• Taste and adjust the seasonings.
• Refrigerate until ready to eat.

EGGPLANT ONION DIP

Steps:

• Poke several holes randomly in each eggplant; place the eggplants on a foil-lined baking tray and bake in a 230°C/450°F/7-8 gas markfor about 45 minutes or until softened; let stand for about 10 minutes until it is cool enough to handle; cut the eggplants lengthwise, discard the seeds, scoop out the flesh and place in a food processor; discard the shells; pulse with the on/off motion until the eggplant flesh is finely chopped then transfer it to a medium-sized bowl.
• Heat the olive oil in a large - preferably non-stick pan - over a medium heat; add the onion, garlic and leek; cook for 10-15 minutes, adding sugar about halfway through the cooking time, stirring often until the contents of the pan are caramelised; reduce the heat to medium-low.
• Add the next 4 ingredients - salt, coriander, cumin and pepper - heat and stir for about 15 minutes until fragrant; add to eggplant; stir well until all the ingredients are well-combined.
• Add the remaining 3 ingredients - parsley, lemon juice and tahini - and stir well until all the ingredients are well-combined.
• Chill, covered, for 1 hour to allow the flavours to blend.