Vegan Eggplant Dip Recipe – Higher Residing

December 13, 2023

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This scrumptious Mediterranean impressed dip made with creamy roasted eggplant, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, cumin and herbs is the proper snack or appetizer for entertaining.

To make it even richer and creamier, we drizzle omega-3 wealthy Udo’s Oil from Flora and high it off with recent herbs, olives, and pine nuts for a flavor-packed dip you’ll make repeatedly.

Elements You’ll Want (For the Dip)

Eggplant: For comfort, bigger forms of eggplants are finest. The massive, darkish purple eggplants, present in most grocery shops, referred to as globe eggplants (or American Eggplants), are excellent for this recipe. However you should utilize any sort of eggplant you want.

Whichever selection you select, when shopping for, search for eggplants which can be agency to the contact and really feel heavy for his or her measurement. They need to even be freed from bruises and comfortable spots.

Wholesome tip: Eggplants are wealthy in fiber and antioxidants, and are additionally an excellent supply of nutritional vitamins C, Okay, vitamin B6, thiamine, niacin, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, fiber, folic acid, potassium.

Garlic: One giant clove provides you with the correct quantity of garlic taste. However if you happen to’re an actual garlic lover, ‌throw in one other.

Tahini: Tahini is a creamy sesame paste condiment used all through the Center East that provides a stunning toasty creaminess to this dip. For those who’re allergic to sesame seeds, omit this ingredient.

Lemon: Contemporary and tangy lemon juice provides some vibrant citrusy taste. You may improve the flavour much more by including the zest too. A small lemon is all you’ll want. For those who’re including the zest, it’s finest to make use of an natural lemon.

Salt + Spices: Cumin + paprika provides some good taste to this dip. Including salt to style will steadiness all of the flavors.

Udo’s Oil 3·6·9 Mix: Including this licensed natural nutty, and buttery tasting oil fabricated from a mix of oils, together with natural flax, sesame, and sunflower seed oils, offers this dip a wealthy and creamy texture.

This genius mix additionally provides a lift of plant-based omega-3 important fatty acids and supplies 6 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per serving.

Fish like salmon are a number of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty. However Udo’s Oil is a good plant-based and vegan-friendly increase. Even if you happen to eat fish, it’s an exquisite wholesome oil mix so as to add to your weight-reduction plan.

Sustainably sourced, add Udo’s Oil to smoothies, soups, salad dressings and extra.

Purchase Udo’s Oil 3·6·9 Mix right here.

Strive These Optionally available Garnishes

This dip is scrumptious by itself, however if you happen to’re serving it to friends, layering it with garnishes can take the flavour excessive.

Garnishes additionally add some pretty contrasting texture!

Listed below are a few of our favorites:

Solar-dried tomatoes
Chopped Kalamata olives (pitted)
Crumbled vegan feta cheese
Herbs like basil, parsley or cilantro.
Pine nuts or toasted sesame seeds
A drizzle of Udo’s Oil

Learn how to Prepare dinner the Eggplant

Get the Oven Prepared: Transfer your oven rack to the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 levels.

Prep the Eggplant: Rinse and dry the eggplant (or eggplants) pat dry and rub with olive oil. Then place it on a foil wrapped baking pan (parchment paper works properly too). Poke a number of holes in every eggplant with a fork to permit steam to flee whereas cooking.

Bake the Eggplant: A mean sized eggplant will take about 35 to minutes to prepare dinner. It ought to be fork tender. Bigger eggplants may have extra cooking time.

As soon as cool sufficient to deal with (about 5-10 minutes), minimize the eggplant in half and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh right into a bowl.

Now you’re able to make the dip!

Learn how to Make this Eggplant Dip

Earlier than utilizing both methodology, have your garnishes prepared for topping the dip earlier than serving.

Bowl Technique: Put the eggplant in a bowl and mash with a fork. As soon as mashed, combine within the different substances, together with the garlic, tahini, lemon juice, Udo’s Oil, herbs, salt and spices.

Meals Processor/Blender Technique: Place the eggplant and all different dip substances (besides garnishes) within the blender. In order for you a silky textured dip, mix till all of the substances are a clean consistency and absolutely mixed.

Learn how to Garnish + Serve

Unfold eggplant dip in a shallow bowl good for dipping and make little wells with the again of a spoon.

Then add garnishes like sundried tomatoes, chopped olives, and recent herbs like basil and parsley.

You may serve this eggplant dip with minimize veggies. Cucumbers, broccoli, carrot, sticks, celery, and bell peppers are all nice decisions.

Crackers, toasted sourdough slices, and sesame breadsticks are an ideal match for this dip as properly

And you may’t ever go fallacious with pita chips! To make your personal, rub pita bread with somewhat olive oil, season with salt, minimize into triangles and bake at 325 levels for 10 minutes or till onerous and crunchy.

Suggestions + Substitutions

Get Grilling: Grilling the eggplants as an alternative of roasting may give this dip one other layer of taste. Prep them the identical method as instructed within the recipe and grill them complete over excessive warmth till comfortable and fork tender.
Add a Smoky Taste: So as to add a smoky taste with out grilling, substitute paprika with a smoked paprika. Including smoked sea salt as an alternative of plain salt is one other method so as to add smoked taste.
Put a Twist on Garlic: Add roasted garlic slightly than uncooked.
Add Extra Herbs: Strive any recent herbs you want parsley, basil, or cilantro
Spice it Up!: Add a splash of scorching sauce or pinch of cayenne pepper. No matter spicy addition you wish to strive, begin sluggish and add extra to style till you get to the warmth stage you want.

Storing Tip: You may make this dip a day or two forward of serving, however make sure to maintain it refrigerated. Let it come to room temperature earlier than serving and inside 3 days.

Get The Recipe!