The Best Persian Eggplant Dip Recipes

KASHKE BADEMJAN (PERSIAN EGGPLANT DIP)

Steps:

• Peel the eggplants and cut them in halves lengthwise, then cut each into half width-wise.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a pan, once hot, place the eggplants in the pan and sear on both sides until golden brown. The eggplants are not supposed to cook all the way through.
• Take the eggplants out of the pan and place them in a plate. In the same pan, pour two tablespoons olive oil and saute the onion until golden brown and soft.
• Add in the garlic and give it a nice stir.
• Add in the browned eggplants, turmeric, salt and black pepper. Mix and add the water. Cover and cook for ten to fifteen minutes until the eggplants are cooked through.
• Once the eggplants are cooked, turn the heat off and mash the eggplants using a potato masher or an immersion blender.
• Add kashk, one tablespoon dried mint and bloomed saffron to the eggplant mixture and stir well. Turn the heat on to medium and cook for another five to eight minutes.
• Serve warm with pita, lavash or naan bread.

THE BEST PERSIAN EGGPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Coat a large frying pan with oil and once heated, add the minced garlic, half the diced onions and eggplant and cook on low until translucent. Remove from the heat in a bowl and allow to cool completely.
• Add more oil to the pan and cook the remaining onions until caramelised and set aside.
• Using two forks, shred the eggplant, garlic and onion mixture. Add the natural yogurt and mix until fully incorporated. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Reheat the frying pan and add the eggplant mixture and stir vigorously for 2-3 minutes until dip is warm.
• Plate up, top with caramelised onions and serve warm with pita bread.

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.

BORANIE BADEMJAN (PERSIAN EGGPLANT YOGURT DIP)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Prick eggplants all over with a fork and place on the baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven, turning frequently, until soft, about 40 minutes.
• Place eggplants on a cutting board and let stand until cool enough to handle, 8 to 10 minutes. Peel off skin and chop flesh.
• Combine eggplant flesh, 2/3 cup Greek yogurt, garlic, 4 teaspoons chopped mint, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl; mix thoroughly. Spoon into a serving dish.
• Dissolve saffron in a small bowl of hot water; drizzle over eggplant mixture. Garnish with mint leaves and 1 teaspoon Greek yogurt.

KASHKE BADEMJAN (PERSIAN EGGPLANT DIP)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F
• Slice eggplants in half lengthways and cut diagonal slits into the flesh, making sure not to cut all the way through. Optional, salt the insides of the eggplant and let them stand for 15-20 minutes to allow them to sweat. Then dry them well with a paper towel
• Drizzle with olive oil and face downwards on a baking tray with baking paperCook for 45 minutes or until they have fully cooked. Remove from oven and scoop out all of the flesh with a spoon and set aside
• In a pan, sauté the onion in olive oil and once translucent add the garlic. Add turmeric, dried mint with a tablespoon of olive oil and sauté over medium heat for a few minutes
• Add the eggplant flesh, vegetable stock and chopped walnuts and mix through together. Simmer over low heat with the lid on for 15 minutes
• Add the kashk mixture (refer to notes) or use sour cream or Greek yoghurt. Stir through, it should be nice and creamy
• Allow to slightly cool and serve in a bowl. Garnish with some extra kashk and additional garnish (optional). Serve with fresh Persian or pita bread and enjoy!

EGGPLANT (OR AUBERGINE) DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to hot (220°C; 425°-450°F; 7-8 Gas Mark); pierce the eggplant all over with a fork or skewer; place the whole eggplant and the quartered onion on an oiled oven tray, brush lightly with olive oil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
• Turn the eggplant and onion pieces.
• After the eggplant and onion have been baked for another 10-15 minutes (a total of 35-45 minutes), add the garlic cloves to the baking tray and bake the vegetables for approximately 15 more minutes. The eggplant and onion should have been now baked for about an hour and the eggplant, the onion and the garlic should all have softened.
• Set aside the eggplant, onion and garlic for about 15 minutes or until they have cooled; peel the eggplant; discard the skin; and chop the flesh coarsely.
• Blend or process the eggplant flesh, the onion pieces and the cloves of garlic with the remaining ingredients (except for the chopped walnuts) until the mixture is smooth; cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours or preferably overnight.
• Combine the chopped walnuts with the dip and serve it with pita bread or crusty rolls as part of an antipasto mezze platter.