Babaganouch without tahini - is that possible?
I sit on the advisory board of our local Epilepsy foundation and we are having a gala this Thursday. I am doing all the appetizers for the event. One of the things I thought I would make is babaganouch, as I have some eggplant already cooked. However, every recipe I find when I google contains tahini - and the only criteria for our food is that it be nut-free.
Anyone got a recipe without tahini? Is this even possible? Should I be barking up another dip tree? I already have hummus (made without tahini) and red pepper dip.... (and a ton of other stuff, don't worry!)
And a shameless plug - this coming Thursday March 26 is Epilepsy Awareness Day - started by an 11 year old in Nova Scotia, Canada. Wear purple to show your support for Epilepsy research! (I am the parent of a child with a seizure disorder.)
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14 Comments:
well, here's a recipe that says you can substitute yogurt or sour cream for the tahini. I imagine that would make it taste quite different though. I would probably just try making it without the tahini, tasting it, and adjusting other seasonings till it tastes good!
andshewas at 11:32AM on 03/22/09
i have never had it with tahini. although i have a container of it in the fridge.
l roasted eggplant
juice from 1 lemon
3 garlic cloves
5 or to taste dashes of tabasco/hot sauce.
puree until smooth
dearrie at 11:52AM on 03/22/09
Do sesame seeds count as a nut?
buffy at 12:25PM on 03/22/09
Looked up sesame seeds on Google and yes, they ARE considered a nut and possibly a VERY strong cause of allergies. Seems like a good idea to make baba ganoush without the sesame seeds or make some other dip altogether.
Just use lots of garlic and remember to drizzle with olive oil and chopped parsley before serving.
duncan1205 at 1:23PM on 03/22/09
Good to know. I didn't think seeds and nuts fell into the same category.
buffy at 1:40PM on 03/22/09
@duncan, I looked them up too and they are definately a seed with a nutty flavor, from a herb type plant.
WSLunch at 2:05PM on 03/22/09
You can make fake babaganoush, i.e. spread/dip made with roasted aubergines, plenty of minced garlic, a bit of lemon juice, salt, and a little bit of good quality mayo. I know quite a few people who actually prefer this version, and no nuts to worry about.
brooke29 at 2:40PM on 03/22/09
I think I'll go that route Brook29 and others. I live in Canada and our schools are very adamant about no nuts, so I've done the "no sesame seeds in crackers or bagels or what have you" for many years. Yes, sesame seeds can cause allergic reactions for sure.
Remember - wear purple on March 26!
Maureen at 2:44PM on 03/22/09
here's a recipe that doesn't call for tahini although personally i think tahini adds a great flavor and consistency to baba ganoush
http://vegetarian.about.com/od/saucesdipsspreads/r/fatfreeganoush.htm
vanillapudding99 at 2:47PM on 03/22/09
nuts are seeds.
andshewas at 9:08PM on 03/22/09
Cube two large eggplants, large chop two red onions, and two red bell peppers. Toss all in olive oil and season liberally (and I mean liberally) with salt and pepper, place in a roasting pan and roast at 375 until the veggies are nice and caramelized. About an hour or so, and toss them around midway through. When they're cool put them in a food processor and pulse to the consistency that you like -- I prefer a bit of texture. Taste and adjust the seasonings. This is easy and it's pure veggie flavor.
ride&cook at 9:19PM on 03/22/09
Many of my Israeli friends make babaganoush with mayonnaise. If you use a good quality mayo, it's delicious!
LadyMarmalade at 11:40AM on 03/23/09
i agree yo could make it without... I make hummus without it too.
Good luck and much success with your benefit.
MadelynRodriguez at 6:09PM on 03/23/09
On the Dinner Tonight column here on SE, there was a babaganoush recipe without tahini sometime last year. I tried it and found it to be extremely easy and delicious. Just check the site archives.
July at 6:38PM on 03/23/09