Chef John's Baba Ghanoush

No matter what you're grilling this summer, chances are good you're going to have more hot coals than food to cook on it, which makes baba ghanoush the perfect post-barbecue recipe. This is a wonderfully savory yet refreshing vegetable dip.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 111 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cloves crushed garlic
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 lemon, juiced, or more to taste
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
• 4 large Italian eggplants
• 3 tablespoons tahini, or more to taste
• 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
• 1 leaf fresh mint, minced (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Prick the surface of the skin of eggplants several times with the tip of a knife.

Step 2

Place eggplants directly on grill. Turn frequently with tongs while skin chars. Cook until eggplants have collapsed and are very soft, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover tightly with aluminum foil and allow to cool, about 15 minutes.

Step 3

When eggplants are cool enough to handle, split them in half and scrape flesh into a colander placed over a bowl. Drain 5 or 10 minutes.

Step 4

Transfer eggplant to mixing bowl. Add crushed garlic and salt; mash until creamy but with a little texture, about 5 minutes. Whisk in lemon juice, tahini, olive oil, and cayenne pepper. Stir in yogurt.

Step 5

Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely chilled, 3 or 4 hours. Taste to adjust seasonings. Stir in mint and parsley.