QUICKIDY QUICK AUBERGINE DIP

To round off a trio of quickidy quick dips from this weekends mezzeathon here is my take on the classic Baba Ghanoush. A Middle eastern classic made from roasted aubergine (eggplant for my American chums!) blitzed with lemon juice, tahini, tomato paste, garlic and spices and topped with a handful of my new best friend the pomegranate seed. The only real work involved is roasting the aubergines but once that is done it's just a case of whizzing everything in a food processor and your done. Quick, simple and delicious!

Aubergine Dip

2 Large Aubergines

2 Grated Garlic Cloves

Juice Of 1 Lemon

1 Tsp Tahini

1 Tbsp Of Tomato Puree

1 Tsp Salt

Pinch Of Pepper

 2 Tbsp Olive Oil

Small Handfull Of Pomegranate Seeds

Small Handfull Of Chopped Parsley Leaves

1. Turn your oven up to the highest temperature possible and chop both of your aubergines in half length ways. Spray the aubergines all over with a light coating of oil and then place them in the oven until the flesh is soft enough to slide a knife through, around 15 minutes. If still hard after 15 minutes pop them back in and keep checking every five minutes or so until ready. 
2. Remove from the oven and leave to cool until you can handle them. Scoop out the soft flesh and discard the skin and any seeds you may find in the aubergine. Pop the flesh into a food processor along with the garlic, lemon juice, tahini, tomato puree, salt, pepper and olive oil and then whizz until combined and at the desired consistency. Taste and adjust with any of the ingredients so far if needed.
3. Once ready, transfer to a serving bowl and top with the pomegranate seeds and parsley leaves.

And in no time at all you have a beautiful version of a Baba Ghanoush all ready to dip your bread or carrot sticks into for a delicious snack or serve along side my tzaziki and red pepper dips for a full on mezze style bonanza. I must add that the recipe above will only really make enough dip for a light helping between 4 people so if you are having a big dinner party or have a lot of hungry mouths to feed in your house you might want to double or triple up the quantities just to make sure you have enough to go round. With a quick dip like this that super tasty, you are going to need it!