8 Middle Eastern Recipes That Put Eggplant In the Spotlight

Eggplants (or aubergines) are certainly one of the Middle East's favourite foods, a key ingredient to a vast gastronomic culture. Not only are they a delicious and hearty vegetable, eggplants are incredibly good for you. They contain significant amounts of chlorogenic acid (one of the most powerful free radicals found in plants) which promotes anti-cancer effects, prevents blood clots and strengthens capillaries. Eggplants are also low in calories (just 35 calories in one cup), contain no fat and are loaded with minerals like calcium, potassium, phosphorous and magnesium. They're also a great source of fiber which protects against colon cancer and keeps you fuller for longer!

1. Mutabbal
This delicious dip is especially fun to make as it involves roasting the eggplant directly on a stove-top flame! Find the Kitchen of Palestine's recipe here.

2. Roasted eggplant and couscous
Eggplant slathered in a fragrant chermoula paste, then roasted until soft and gooey, and piled high with a fresh couscous. Whats not to love? Find the recipe at Recipe Tin Eats.

3. Chickpea and aubergine moussaka 
This recipe combines two Middle Eastern essentials: the aubergine and the chickpea. Find the recipe at Messy Vegetarian Cook.

4. Baba Ganoush
One of the most famous Middle Eastern dishes puts eggplant in the starring role. Baba ganoush is often confused with mutabbal (above) but it is actually quite different - baba ganoush is not as creamy as mutabbal, does not involve tahini and has a less smokier taste. Find the recipe from Spice Chronicals here.

5. Raheb salad
An ideal of starter or hearty enough to fill in as a main course, this grilled eggplant salad is always a winner. Find a recipe here at Mayas Ingredients.

6. Roasted eggplant hummus
It wouldn't be a Middle Eastern round-up without hummus getting a mention. We love the versatility of hummus, you can put anything in there - including eggplant! Find the recipe at Mideast Food.

7. Stuffed eggplant 
Stuffed peppers are easy to master, we want to take on the challenge of stuffed eggplant. This recipe subs in crumbled tofu in the place of lamb or beef for a vegetarian alternative. Find it at Life and Thyme.

8. Grilled eggplant with lebneh
The combination of smokey grilled eggplant with mint, garlic and yoghurt is really something else in this recipe from Epicurious.

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