Hatch chile pimento cheese

A friend in Southeast Texas was describing her pimento cheese, which was popular with her friends. “It always goes first at parties,” she…
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A friend in Southeast Texas was describing her pimento cheese, which was popular with her friends. “It always goes first at parties,” she…

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Roasted Salsa Verde (30 Minutes!)

When warmer weather arrives, we’re suckers for the classic combination of chips and salsa. This vibrant, roasted salsa verde is the perfect companion to crispy tortilla chips, tacos, enchiladas, salads, and beyond!
We trialed a raw version (hoping the…

Roasted Salsa Verde (30 Minutes!)

When warmer weather arrives, we’re suckers for the classic combination of chips and salsa. This vibrant, roasted salsa verde is the perfect companion to crispy tortilla chips, tacos, enchiladas, salads, and beyond!

We trialed a raw version (hoping the raw would work for an easy, heat-free option), but it didn’t quite compare to the smoky depth of flavor we achieved with the roasted version. It’s well worth the little bit of extra effort!

Roasted Salsa Verde (30 Minutes!) from Minimalist Baker →

5-Minute Harissa Tahini Sauce

Our love of tahini continues, but with a new, smoky twist. Meet our latest obsession: 5-Minute Harissa Tahini Sauce! Inspired by True Food Kitchen, it’s bright, zesty, harissa-infused, and SO easy to make! Just 5 ingredients and 1 bowl to make this ext…

5-Minute Harissa Tahini Sauce

Our love of tahini continues, but with a new, smoky twist. Meet our latest obsession: 5-Minute Harissa Tahini Sauce! Inspired by True Food Kitchen, it’s bright, zesty, harissa-infused, and SO easy to make! Just 5 ingredients and 1 bowl to make this extremely versatile, vibrant sauce that’s perfect for tacos, nourish bowls, salads, and beyond. Let us show you how it’s done!

This simple sauce is a beautiful fusion of some of our favorite cuisines.

5-Minute Harissa Tahini Sauce from Minimalist Baker →

Easy Homemade Ketchup (Naturally Sweetened)

Could you tell by now that we’re sauce people? It’s a full-on obsession. And one of our most favorite sauces is ketchup, because fries exist and they can’t be eaten dry — that’s just a fact. That and burgers + ketchup = match made in heaven.
However, …

Easy Homemade Ketchup (Naturally Sweetened)

Could you tell by now that we’re sauce people? It’s a full-on obsession. And one of our most favorite sauces is ketchup, because fries exist and they can’t be eaten dry — that’s just a fact. That and burgers + ketchup = match made in heaven.

However, we hadn’t perfected a homemade ketchup yet, so we got to work. We tested so many variations: tomato purée vs. tomato paste, fresh onion vs.

Easy Homemade Ketchup (Naturally Sweetened) from Minimalist Baker →

Easy Mint Chutney (5 Minutes!)

If you haven’t noticed, we have a serious thing for Indian food around here. The spices, the aromatics, the sauciness — so good! Also, is a meal a meal if there isn’t any sauce? We think not.
This Indian-inspired cilantro mint chutney is everything you…

Easy Mint Chutney (5 Minutes!)

If you haven’t noticed, we have a serious thing for Indian food around here. The spices, the aromatics, the sauciness — so good! Also, is a meal a meal if there isn’t any sauce? We think not.

This Indian-inspired cilantro mint chutney is everything you want: bright, herby, tangy, and pairs perfectly with fritters, pakoras, dosas, chickpea pancakes, and more! Plus, it’s super easy to make, requiring just 5 minutes and 9 simple ingredients.

Easy Mint Chutney (5 Minutes!) from Minimalist Baker →

Easy Vegan Tartar Sauce

Say hello to the ultimate vegan tartar sauce! It’s tangy, sweet, saucy, creamy, and begging to be served with anything crispy and breaded! After a bit of experimentation, we feel confident we cracked the code for the best method. Bonus? Just 7 ingredie…

Easy Vegan Tartar Sauce

Say hello to the ultimate vegan tartar sauce! It’s tangy, sweet, saucy, creamy, and begging to be served with anything crispy and breaded! After a bit of experimentation, we feel confident we cracked the code for the best method. Bonus? Just 7 ingredients and 15 minutes required! Let us show you how it’s done!

What is Tartar Sauce?

Tartar sauce is a creamy condiment that’s often served with fried foods (or seafood if not vegan).

Easy Vegan Tartar Sauce from Minimalist Baker →

Classic Baba Ganoush

This baba ganoush recipe is so creamy and delicious! A classic Mediterranean dip, it’s perfect for appetizer spreads or healthy snacking. Baba ganoush lovers, unite! This creamy dip is a Lebanese classic with a smoky finish to the flavor that makes it absolutely irresistible for dipping. Turns out, it’s actually very simple to make at home, and a fabulous eggplant recipe for when you’re brainstorming what to do with this vegetable. This specific baba ganoush recipe comes straight from the book Tables and Spreads by Shelly Westerhausen Worcel of Vegetarian Ventures. It’s an incredible collection to help you nosh your way entertaining and happy hour! Here’s how to make it: and more about this fantastic collection. What is baba ganoush? Baba ganoush is a Lebanese eggplant dip made with roasted or grilled eggplant, tahini, olive oil, and lemon. It’s also spelled Baba ghanoush or baba ghanouj. It’s common in cuisines all over the Mediterranean, but it’s Lebanese in origin. While many Greek restaurants serve baba ganoush, the Greek version of eggplant dip is melitzanosalata. What makes baba ganoush taste smoky? Traditionally baba ganoush is made with eggplant that’s been roasted over a fire or grilled, which infuses a light smoky […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

This baba ganoush recipe is so creamy and delicious! A classic Mediterranean dip, it’s perfect for appetizer spreads or healthy snacking.

Baba ganoush

Baba ganoush lovers, unite! This creamy dip is a Lebanese classic with a smoky finish to the flavor that makes it absolutely irresistible for dipping. Turns out, it’s actually very simple to make at home, and a fabulous eggplant recipe for when you’re brainstorming what to do with this vegetable. This specific baba ganoush recipe comes straight from the book Tables and Spreads by Shelly Westerhausen Worcel of Vegetarian Ventures. It’s an incredible collection to help you nosh your way entertaining and happy hour! Here’s how to make it: and more about this fantastic collection.

Tables and spreads
Keep reading for more about Tables & Spreads — recipe excerpted from the book with permission from Shelly Westerhausen Worcel

What is baba ganoush?

Baba ganoush is a Lebanese eggplant dip made with roasted or grilled eggplant, tahini, olive oil, and lemon. It’s also spelled Baba ghanoush or baba ghanouj. It’s common in cuisines all over the Mediterranean, but it’s Lebanese in origin. While many Greek restaurants serve baba ganoush, the Greek version of eggplant dip is melitzanosalata.

What makes baba ganoush taste smoky? Traditionally baba ganoush is made with eggplant that’s been roasted over a fire or grilled, which infuses a light smoky flavor. The easiest way to make it at home is roasted, so here we’ve added smoked paprika for a hint of the smoke we expect from a baba ganoush recipe!

How to make baba ganoush at home

Now, the best baba ganoush you can have is from a Lebanese restaurant! It’s hard to capture the beauty of this traditional eggplant dip at home. But you can get pretty close! Again, the traditional grilled method is what really takes it over the top (see below). But Shelly’s method from Tables and Spreads is simply delicious and easy to pull off. Just make sure to have enough time to roast or grill the eggplant! Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe):

  • Roast or grill the eggplant: This takes about 30 minutes total. On the grill, it depends on the size of the eggplant (see below).
  • Remove the flesh from the skin. Quick tip: to remove bitterness, you can remove some of the very seedy parts of the eggplant when you do this.
  • Food process with the other ingredients. Add tahini, lemon, garlic and spices and blend. We like adding a bit of smoked paprika to get in that smoky flavor.
  • Serve! Then top with all the garnishes: olive oil, walnuts, smoked paprika, parsley, etc! The book has a delicious fried walnuts and pomegranate seeds topping idea (head here to learn more about the book).
Baba ganoush

Alternate method: grilled whole eggplant!

The most traditional way to make a baba ganoush recipe is with eggplant charred over an open flame. The best way to do this is with a grill! Here are a few things to note about making a grilled whole eggplant:

  • Grill it whole over medium high heat. That’s 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Cook until collapsed and charred, about 25 to 45 minutes depending on the size of the eggplant. Once you’re done, you can pick back up at the blending step.

About the book: Tables & Spreads!

This baba ganoush recipe comes straight from Shelly Westerhausen Worcel’s beautiful new book, Tables & Spreads. The cover claims it’s a go-to guide for beautiful snacks, intimate gathering and inviting feasts: and is it ever! It’s filled with Shelly’s brilliantly colorful photography style (which we adore) and full of incredible ideas for entertaining spreads. Now that we can all gather again, it’s a perfect manual for

Shelly is a dear friend of ours we’ve known for years: so not only do we vouch for her recipes, we know first hand that she’s an overall incredible human, too. The spreads that she puts together are inventive, unique, and perfect for creative at-home entertaining. And just so you know: you don’t have to share them with friends either! There are plenty of ideas for a happy hour dinner in (a fun concept everyone enjoys over here!). Congrats to Shelly on this fantastic collection!

Baba ganoush recipe

What to use for dipping baba ganoush

What to serve with baba ganoush? There are many foods you can use for dipping: but we have a few favorites. Then of course, there’s how to accessorize your spread! The book has this recipe as part of a Falafel Mezze Spread that includes a few items below. Here’s what to try:

  • Pita bread: Doughy, stretchy warm pita bread is the ultimate dipper (try our flatbread)
  • Pita chips: Or, use the crunchy version (here’s a homemade recipe)
  • Falafel: Try our falafel or the falafel patties recipe from the book
  • Israeli couscous with herbs and olive oil (see the book)
  • Greek yogurt mixed with olive oil and fresh herbs (see the book)
  • Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, red onion, roasted red peppers

Storing leftovers and make ahead info

You can store leftover homemade baba ganoush refrigerated for up to 3 days. We think it’s best made freshly or within the first day. We did notice that during storage over a few days, the baba ganoush started to discolor. If you’re making it for entertaining, we’d suggest to roast the eggplant in advance and keep it whole: then blend up the dip prior to serving.

This baba ganoush recipe is…

Baba ganoush is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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Baba ganoush

Classic Baba Ganoush


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  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This baba ganoush recipe is so creamy and delicious! A classic Mediterranean dip, it’s perfect for appetizer spreads or healthy snacking.


Ingredients

  • 2 pounds eggplant (1 large or 2 medium)
  • 3 tablespoons tahini
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 large or 2 small garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, loosely packed
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • For the topping: Olive oil, chopped walnuts, pomegranate seeds, torn parsley leaves, smoked paprika, etc

Instructions

  1. Roast the eggplant*: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Poke the eggplant all over with a fork to speed up the cooking process and put it on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or until the eggplant is easily pierced with a knife. Remove from the oven and let cool. 
  2. Blend the baba ganoush: Once the eggplant is cool enough to handle, slice the eggplant in half and scrape out the insides into a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, removing large portions of seeds as you can (this minimizes any bitterness from the seeds). Add the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, salt, cumin and smoked paprika. Process until smooth, about 30 seconds. With the motor running, pour in the olive oil and process for another 30 seconds or until light and fluffy. 
  3. Serve: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and top with desired toppings. Serve with pita chips or pita bread. Leftovers store up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Allow to come to room temperature when serving. 

Notes

*Traditionally eggplant for baba ganoush is grilled, which infuses a distinct smoky flavor. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit). Place the eggplant directly on the grill grates and grill for about 25 to 45 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred and tender and the eggplant shape collapses. Then go to step 2. 

  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Blended
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keywords: Baba ganoush, Baba ganoush recipe

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Easy Mango Salsa

Make use of fresh spring and summer produce with this vibrant mango salsa! Sweet mango blends perfectly with spicy jalapeño, zesty onion, and lime juice for a spicy-sweet flavor. Just 8 ingredients, 20 minutes, and 1 bowl required. Let us show you how …

Easy Mango Salsa

Make use of fresh spring and summer produce with this vibrant mango salsa! Sweet mango blends perfectly with spicy jalapeño, zesty onion, and lime juice for a spicy-sweet flavor. Just 8 ingredients, 20 minutes, and 1 bowl required. Let us show you how it’s done!

Origins of Salsa

Salsa is thought to have originated in Central America from the Incas, Aztecs, and Mayans. It dates as far back as the 1500s, when it was used as a condiment to add flavor and spice.

Easy Mango Salsa from Minimalist Baker →

Our Favorite Pimento Cheese.

This is our favorite pimento cheese recipe ever! Finally in one place for you. My pimento cheese is partially whipped and has so much ridiculously flavor. Perfect for dipping or melting in a grilled cheese. Eeeep!  Oh how I love this wonderful spread! And I’m finally putting my favorite pimento cheese recipe in one place […]

The post Our Favorite Pimento Cheese. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

This is our favorite pimento cheese recipe ever! Finally in one place for you. My pimento cheese is partially whipped and has so much ridiculously flavor. Perfect for dipping or melting in a grilled cheese. Eeeep! 

Oh how I love this wonderful spread!

our favorite pimento cheese

And I’m finally putting my favorite pimento cheese recipe in one place for you!

Over the years, ever since we got into pimento cheese (it was fairly recently, haha – you may remember!), I’ve linked back to one of my random recipes that includes pimento cheese. But you end up having to search for it in the recipe. So here we go! It’s here, in one place. The best of the best. 

cream cheese, cheddar, mayo, pimentos, spices

This is our absolute favorite favorite favorite pimento cheese recipe. Now, of course I do love a version with bacon. Or with candied jalapeños. I love to fancify in a few different ways. But this is our base. This is the base that I make and everyone loves – and then if I want to trash it up somehow, I go from here. 

What I love most about this is that it’s sort of… whipped. And the way I discovered how much we love that?

By complete accident. 

our favorite pimento cheese

For the last few years I’ve made similar versions of this and just mixed all the ingredients together in a bowl until combined. Occasionally, I use a hand mixer. It never looks gorgeous or appetizing or anything, but it tastes like heaven. And the key is that it’s combined, that’s all we really need.

Then one day, I forgot how to make it and thought I threw the ingredients in the food processor to blend. Ummm… I normally do not. But that is how this wonderful whipped version of pimento cheese was born! 

It’s not fully whipped. I like to keep some of the cheddar out, then fold it into the whipped consistency to keep that classic pimento dip texture. But it’s more whipped than it would be if you just stirred everything together in a bowl. And it is freaking delish! You can see me make it on instagram stories today for a step-by-step.

our favorite pimento cheese

I always love to make recipes using this around kentucky derby time and this year is no different!

I have a few recipes coming up in the next ten days using this pimento cheese, so you might want to make a batch and just stick it in your fridge right now. Swear you won’t regret it! 

our favorite pimento cheese with crackers

If you are new to pimento cheese, it’s amazing served with pretzels or crackers. Basically anything crunchy. Carrots and celery too, if you want to get into the whole veggie thing. It’s so good on a cheeseboard, but also amazing served alone with the dippers. It’s a great thing to have in the fridge if you’re feeling snack too!

Of course, if you’re looking for something to do with extra pimento cheese, I’m your girl. I’ve made cheeseburgers, crispy chicken tacos with pimento cheese, crostini, pimento grilled cheese with pickle slaw, flatbread, grits, chicken quesadillas and chicken salad.

I KNOW. It’s insane. So many options!

(more…)

The post Our Favorite Pimento Cheese. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.