Baba Ghannooj

[Twitchin Kitten]

Baba Ghannooj translates to "spoiled old daddy" because the story goes it's inventor is said to have mashed the eggplant to a pulp in order to pamper her old and toothless father. When this dish is properly garnished and set up on the plate, it's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.

Baba Ghannooj
Eggplant puree

Ingredients:

1 large eggplant
2 cloves garlic
salt to taste
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup taheena
3 tablespoons olive oil
a few parsley sprigs
1 tablespoon spine nuts - fried
1/2 small tomato -diced

Place the eggplant in a pan, then bake at 425°F oven turning frequently until tender. Allow to cool thoroughly, then remove the skin and mash the pulp well. Set aside.

Mash the garlic with salt, then add 1 teaspoon of the lemon juice and mix until smooth. Add this to the eggplant.

Place the remaining lemon juice and the taheena in the blender and mix for a few moments, then add to the eggplant. Add salt to taste and then spread all this on a platter.

Sprinkle with olive oil and garnish with the parsley, pine nuts and tomato pieces.

Serve with Pita bread.