Baba Ganoush and Muhammarah
Baba Ganoush
Ingredients:
Eggplant
3-5 cloves Garlic
2 spoonfuls of Tahini
Juice of 1 lg Lemon or two small ones
Salt to taste
Cayenne to taste
Cilantro or other herb optional
Instructions:
BBQ the eggplant in the skins until exterior is charred. You can also do this under the broiler.
Grate garlic and put in a food processor
Put tahini and lemon in food processor too and blend until creamy
The flesh should be soft and mushy at this point from cooking long enough. If it is not soft on the inside then put inside of a foil packet and cook for another 10-15 minutes depending on how much softer it needs to be.
Add flesh of the eggplant but not the skin and blend into the lemon tahini cream.
Add salt, cayenne and herbs if adding and blend into the mixture.
DONE! Enjoy with flatbreads or whatever else you want!
Muhammarah
Ingredients:
3 Red bell peppers
Red pepper flakes to taste
Cumin to taste
1 cup toasted whole Walnuts
Olive oil as needed
Water as needed
1 tablespoons Molasses
1 tiny tiny can of tomato paste (¼-⅓ cup)
Can also roast whole tomatoes on the grill, remove the skins, blend and then sieve the seeds out, reduce until most of the liquid has evaporated, or dont and dont add any water!
¼-⅓ cup bread crumbs (I tend to use Panko or gluten free by default but use what you have!)
Salt to taste
¼ bunch Parsley
¼ bunch Cilantro
Several leaves of Basil
2-3 cloves garlic (optional)
Instructions:
BBQ red bell peppers until the skins are just charred. You can also broil these.
Let the peppers cool and then tear the skins off of the flesh
While waiting for the peppers to cool toast the walnuts and add to a food processor
Add molasses, tomato paste, bread crumbs, greens, and garlic to food processor
When peppers have cooled add to the food processor as well and blend until well mixed
Add water and olive oil until to the consistency you like. I like to go a couple glugs of olive oil first and then add water in tiny drizzles from there until I like the smoothness.
NOW add the red pepper flakes, cumin, salt and blend tasting and adding more as needed until to your liking.
ENJOY! With flatbreads, with toast, with eggs, whatever you like!