Baba ghanoush facts for kids
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| Course | Appetizer |
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| Main ingredients | Eggplant, olive oil |
Moutabbal (or M'tabbal) and pita bread
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|
| Course | Appetizer |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Eggplant, olive oil |
Baba ghanoush (pronounced bah-bah gah-NOOSH) is a super tasty dip or spread. It comes from the Levant, a region in the Middle East. This yummy appetizer is made from roasted eggplant, olive oil, lemon juice, different spices, and tahini (a paste made from sesame seeds).
The eggplant is usually cooked over a flame or baked. This makes it soft and gives it a yummy smoky flavor. Baba ghanoush is a popular 'meze' (which means 'starter' or 'small dish') in many countries. People often eat it as a side dish or use it as a dip with pita bread.
A very similar dish is called mutabbal (pronounced moo-TAH-bal). This name means 'spiced'. Mutabbal is also made from mashed roasted eggplants, tahini, salt, pepper, garlic, and lemon. Sometimes, people add yogurt to mutabbal. Some say mutabbal is a spicier version of baba ghanoush.
What's in a Name?
The name bābā is an Arabic word that means 'father'. It can also be a sweet way to refer to someone you care about. The word ġannūj might be a person's name.
Together, the name bābā ġannūj can mean "father of coquetry" or "pampered daddy." It's not totally clear if 'bābā' refers to the eggplant itself, or to a person who really loves this dish!
Different Ways to Make It
Baba ghanoush is made a little differently depending on where you are.
- In the Eastern Arabian countries, people might add coriander and cumin for extra flavor. They might also top it with finely chopped parsley or coriander leaves.
- In Turkey, it's known as babaganuş or abugannuş. The main ingredients like eggplant, tahini, garlic, and lemon are usually the same.
- In Armenia, the dish is called mutabal. Armenian mutabal usually includes eggplant, tahini, garlic, lemon, and onion. Many Armenians also add cumin to their recipe.
- In Israel, there's a similar dish called salat ḥatzilim. It's made with fried or grilled eggplants mixed with mayonnaise, salt, lemon, and chopped fried onions. It's often drizzled with olive oil before serving.
Images for kids
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A bowl of Baba Ghanoush
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Moutabbal (or M'tabbal) served with pita bread
