Baba Ghanouj - Eggplant Dip

Baba Ghanouj is a tasty eggplant dip that combines the tastes of eggplant, garlic and sesame for a heady favor. The eggplants taste peppery and the herbs accentuate all the other flavors.

Many people bake the eggplant for this dish, but I like to grill it to amplify the taste. I also like to keep the peel because it tastes good and contains a significant portion of the nutrients of the fruit. As long as you finely puree it, the tastes will blend nicely.

Baba Ghanouj can be enjoyed as a bread dip at a party, or as a side dish for falafel or fava beans. It can also be made into a sandwich with fresh tomatoes for a light lunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium sized fresh eggplant
  
• 6-8 cloves of garlic
• 2-3 tablespoons tahini sesame seed sauce. You can buy this now at most grocery stores, or any Middle Eastern food store.
• 1/2 bunch parsley
• 1/2 bunch cilantro
  
• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Thick slice the eggplant, salt and set aside until it sheds its water.
2. Blot dry the eggplant slices, rub with olive oil and grill. I used an indoor electric grill this time, but it is even better if you can grill it on a wood fire. In the summer I would use the Stone Pony.
3. Chop the parsley, garlic, and cilantro in the food processor.
4. Add the eggplants and puree thoroughly. At this point you have a tasty eggplant relish that can be eaten on toast, but keep going, it gets better.
   
5. Add spices, tahini, and lemon/lime juice. Puree until smooth.
6. Serve with bread and cut fresh vegetables such as cucumbers, radishes, celery and carrots.
   

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Egyptian Falafel Feast - Taameya

Taameya (ta9-may-ya) is the Egyptian word for falafel, but Egyptian falafel is also different from the garden variety falafel that you usually get in this country. The difference is that the Egyptian variety are made with fava beans instead of chick peas(Garbanzo beans). Fave beans have a much richer flavor and are higher in protein and fiber than chick peas. If you can't find dry fava beans, you can use dry chick peas in the same quantities as this recipe. 

Falafel and fava bean sandwiches are the original fast food and are available at many corner stands throughout the Middle East. They are a delicious, economical, and extremely healthy main course choice.

This dish is an awesome vegetarian treat that will leave you completely satisfied. Serve it with Tahini Bagdoonisya dip, Baba Ghanouj,  yogurt sauce, and cut vegetables. You can also freeze the uncooked mixture for 6 months and cook it as you need it. For a lighter, healthier alternative, try my Baked Falafel Recipe. 

I would like to thank my dear Professor Lingua Franca for the original idea and instruction in cooking this dish.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fava beans, peeled if possible. You can buy this at any Middle Eastern market. If they are not available peeled, you can peel them after soaking, or keep the peel for additional fiber.
  
• 1 fresh leek, washed and sliced.
  
• 1 bunch fresh Italian parsley
  
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
  
• 1 head of garlic
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 2 tbsp ground cumin
  
• 1 tsp ground coriander
  
• 
  
  1 tsp cayanne pepper, double the quantity for Alexandria style.
  
  
• 
  
  1 tbsp baking powder
  
  
• 2 tsp sea salt (can be omitted or reduced for health reasons, it will still taste good)
  
• 2 cups canola oil (re-usable)
  

Directions

Prep the Beans:

1. Wash the beans thoroughly in luke warm water.
   
2. Soak the beans in water for at least 2 days, changing the water about 4 times during this period. The first water changing should come when the beans form a foamy froth on the surface. Changing the water will prevent the beans' gassy effect on your GI tract.
   
3. Drain the beans when ready to make the paste.
   
   
   
   

   

Make the Paste:

1. Place the parsley, cilantro and garlic in the food processor, chop fine.
   
2. Add the green onions and leeks, chop fine.
   
3. Remove the vegetable paste from the food processor and set aside. Do not wash the food processor.
   
4. Add the beans to the food processor and chop until they reach the consistency of a thick peanut butter.
   
   
   
   
5. In a bowl, mix the vegetable paste and chopped beans.
   
6. Add the cumin, coriander, cayanne, and salt. If you are going to freeze the mixture, leave out the salt and add it when you are going to cook the falafel.
   
7. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water. Mix the paste thoroughly.
   
8. Sprinkle the baking powder over the paste, evenly fold into the paste.
   
9. Let stand for at least 1 hour. You can also leave it covered in the fridge over night.
   
10. 
    
    Use an ice cream scoop or a spoon to form balls out of the paste. Place on wax paper or non-stick surface.
    
    
11. 
    
    Use a fork to form the balls into a disk shape about 1/2 inch thick.
    
    
    

Fry the falafel:

1. Heat the oil over medium high heat. It should be hot enough for deep frying. Mine was about 200^oF (94^oC).
   
2. Use a spatula to put 4 patties at a time into the oil. It should immediately bubble. If it does not bubble, it is not hot enough.
   
3. Cook each set of patties for 30 seconds, until it s a rich brown. Remove with a strainer, drain the oil thoroughly and place the falafel on a paper towel to blot.
   
4. Keep repeating this process. Every few batches pass the strainer through the oil and remove the burnt solids and discard. This will keep your oil clean and prevent it from breaking down. It will also prevent any oily taste to your falafel.

I realize that it looks lengthy, but the work portion of it can be done in 45 minutes. You just need to plan ahead for the soak time for the beans and the stand time for the paste. If you freeze this mixture, you can enjoy this tasty treat anytime without too much effort, even on a week night.

River took this to Lunch in this Bento Box that he bought for Stella in Japan. It made for a delicious light lunch which was also very satisfying. Stella kept nagging him until he brought the box home.

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