Mutabal Recipe - Palestine In A Dish (2024)

FAQs

What is mutabal made of? ›

Traditionally, mutabal is prepared with fire roasted eggplants, garlic, lemon juice, tahini (paste made from sesame seeds) and a smattering of herbs and spices. Usually parsley and/or mint is used as garnish. Sometimes yogurt is added.

Well, it seems that the big difference is the use of tahini: Mutabal calls for it, while Baba Ganoush doesn't. In addition, Baba Ganoush usually includes chopped vegetables, such as tomato, pepper or onion, pomegranate molasses and walnuts.

There, this dish of mashed vegetables with creamy tahini is more commonly called mutabbal, which means a dish that's made tastier or more flavorful with spices.

What to Serve with Baba Ganoush. My favorite way to serve baba ganoush is as an appetizer or snack with crisp veggies and pita bread. You could also serve it as the creamy dip in a summer crudité platter or make an epic Mediterranean appetizer board with pita chips, tzatziki, hummus, and fresh or grilled veggies.

If you prefer chickpeas over eggplants, then hummus it is. If eggplants taste better for you, then baba ganoush. Nonetheless, there is actually no need to choose between the two. If you don't have a specific preference, it is okay if you choose both—both can go well with pita bread after all.

3) Health – Both dishes are very healthy, but baba ganoush has a slight edge here with more vitamins from the eggplant and a lower calorie count. 4) Big meal to come – Get baba ganoush, it's less filling than hummus.

Baba Ganoush is not only delicious but also packed with nutritional benefits. Eggplants are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while tahini adds a dose of healthy fats and protein. This makes Baba Ganoush a heart-healthy choice that supports overall well-being.

I think it's worth noting that this is NOT a beet hummus, it's a beet mutabal. What's the difference? It's very clear: hummus is the Arabic word for chickpea, and this does not contain chickpeas, so it's not hummus.

The word bābā in Arabic means 'father' and is also a term of endearment, while ġannūj could be a personal name. The word combination is also interpreted as "father of coquetry" or "indulged/pampered/flirtatious daddy" or "spoiled old daddy".

The way you prepare baba ganoush, in fact, solves all three things I hate about eggplant. The bitterness: apparently, much of the bitterness is in the moisture of the eggplant, which is why some people swear by salting it beforehand, which draws out liquid.

What is the English translation of baba ganoush? ›

The Arabic term for the dish means “pampered daddy,” the person in question being, legend has it, a sultan spoiled with a concoction invented by a member of his harem.

In Arabic baba means father and ghanoush means spoiled. This Spoiled dad dip is the creamier companion to hummus. Popular in Arab countries throughout the Middle East, it is also a common appetizer on the Sephardic Jewish table.

Simply roast the zucchini as you would an eggplant and proceed with the normal baba ganoush recipe. The texture of the two vegetables is similar when roasted and both have mild, creamy flavors.

Eggplants are a good source of dietary fibre, which can help slow down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, preventing rapid spikes in blood sugar. Even though Baba Ganoush can be diabetes-friendly, portion control is still key. Monitor the quantity you consume to manage your carbohydrate intake.

For the creamiest result, add the oil slowly in a thin stream as it blends instead of just adding it to the bowl with the rest of the ingredients. If your Baba Ganoush tastes bitter, add a half teaspoon of baking soda at a time and blend well (tasting in between) to remove bitterness from the dish.

The only big difference is that eggplant is the dominating ingredient in mutabal versus chickpeas in hummus. This eggplant dip, not only it's vegan and gluten-free, but also it is a great side dish and super easy to prepare.

In its most basic form, baba ganoush is made with eggplant, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt. I found that adding a tiny bit of ground cumin, smoked paprika and fresh parsley takes it to the next level. Baba ganoush is similar to hummus, but it calls for grilled or roasted eggplant instead of chickpeas.

Falafel is made from fava beans or chickpeas, or a combination of both. Falafel is usually made with fava beans in Egyptian cuisine, where it most likely originated, with chickpeas in Palestinian cuisine, or just chickpeas or a combination of both in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria and the wider Middle East.

The difference is that roasted eggplant forms the base for baba ganoush while chick peas are the backbone of hummus. The roasted eggplant lends this eggplant dip a slightly sweeter, smokier flavor, and a lower fat and calorie count than hummus. Plus it can be easier on the tummy than hard-to-digest chickpeas.