Basic Baba Ghanoush

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• 2 lbs eggplants, any variety (about 2 or 3 depending on size)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon tahini
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 dash fresh basil (optional) or 1 dash other herbs (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 375 degrees. trim and halve eggplants lengthwise. coat with a little olive oil and roast for 45-60 minutes. let cool, and squeeze out any remaining juices.
• 2 cut eggplant into coarse chunks and place into a food processor or blender, working in batches if necessary. pulse together with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt and spices for a minute or two, stopping to scrape down the sides occasionally. drizzle in two tablespoons of olive oil while pulsing. taste for seasoning, adding more salt or spices if desired.
• 3 transfer to a bowl and serve immediately with a drizzle of olive oil on top. or, cover and chill for an hour before serving to let flavors develop. keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.