BM# 44: A-Z Cooking Series -- Around the World in 30 days
Country: Q for Qatar
Country: Q for Qatar
Dish: Motabel (Smokey Eggplant & Tahini dip)
We are going to Qatar today because from the little I know there are no more countries that start with Q :-) Qatar is a sorerign Arab country located in Western Asia. It is world's richest country per capita due to the presence of large natural gas reserves and oil reserves.
Qatari cuisine is very similar to other Middle eastern countries. I picked a eggplant dip recipe from Qatar. It seems like some version of eggplant dip is present in all of the Mediterranean cuisines. Motabel/ Moutabel is almost like Baba ghanoush with smokey roasted eggplant as the main ingredient.
Roasting the eggplant directly on the stove gives the dish a nice smokey flavor. So if you can make sure to roast on the stove (foil wrap the stove to avoid burnt spots or just be ready to use some elbow grease to clean up the mess). If you have an electric stove or do not want to spend the time at the stove turning the eggplant, then bake the eggplant in a preheated 400°F oven for 30~40 minutes or until the skin is shrivelled and the flesh is cooked. Enjoy with some pita chips and crudite.
Recipe adapted from here.
Qatari cuisine is very similar to other Middle eastern countries. I picked a eggplant dip recipe from Qatar. It seems like some version of eggplant dip is present in all of the Mediterranean cuisines. Motabel/ Moutabel is almost like Baba ghanoush with smokey roasted eggplant as the main ingredient.
Roasting the eggplant directly on the stove gives the dish a nice smokey flavor. So if you can make sure to roast on the stove (foil wrap the stove to avoid burnt spots or just be ready to use some elbow grease to clean up the mess). If you have an electric stove or do not want to spend the time at the stove turning the eggplant, then bake the eggplant in a preheated 400°F oven for 30~40 minutes or until the skin is shrivelled and the flesh is cooked. Enjoy with some pita chips and crudite.
Ingredients:
Eggplant - 1 small
Tahini - 2tbsp
Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 2tsp
Olive - 1clove, mashed
Olive - 1clove, mashed
Lemon Juice - 2tsp
Green Chili - 1, chopped
Salt & Pepper - to taste
Method:
- Roast the eggplant on the stove or in the oven (@ 400°F for 30~40 minutes)
- Put the roasted eggplant in a bowl and cover it. Leave it aside for 10~15 minutes. Then remove the charred skin and chop or mash the flesh.
- In a blender, combine garlic, tahini and chili. Blend to make a coarse paste. Next add the mashed/ chopped eggplant and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Stir in lemon juice and drizzle from olive oil on top. Serve as dip for veggies and chips, or with pita bread.
Oh my!..such a sinful looking dip Pavani..seeing your pictures makes me sad that I skipped this for something else!
ReplyDeleteThat dip is so creamy! Not a fan of eggplant but the dip looks great!
ReplyDeleteThe dip looks excellent and supposed to be one great hit among this cuisne. You have done a super job with it...loving it.
ReplyDeleteI even considered this for Qatar and lazy me went for a quick and easy recipe. Motabel looks delicious and would make a nice spread even for a sandwich .
ReplyDeleteSame pinch, i have fallen in love with this dip, chips and motabel delicious pair definitely.
ReplyDeletepass me some pavani..this looks beautiful right now..since i am hungry and there is not much to eat...
ReplyDeleteJust back from Qatar and had tried this..now seeing your lovely pics!!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great idea for a party dip !
ReplyDeleteAmazing dip to have with some chips :) motabel looks so tempting and very flavorful dip !! love you styling ..
ReplyDeleteWould be a great dip, especially for eggplant lovers.
ReplyDeleteI know this dish by the Israeli name of baba ganoush as you know I stay far away from this dish but have made it many times for others. Yours looks perfect.
ReplyDeleteDelicious dip. I love the use of eggplant like this I can feed my two safely without detection.:D Thanks a big thumbs up from me.
ReplyDeleteAwesome dip Pavani and that last pic is so sinful and tempting me so much!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting dip.Good one...
ReplyDelete