Learn how to make authentic Mutabal (Baba Ganoush) with smoky roasted eggplant and tahini. Creamy, rich, and better than restaurant-style dips.
Middle Eastern Food - Mutabal
As most of you guessed already, this week is focused on this type of food. I made an Arabic Traditional Platter as presented in Arabic countries. I love those presentations and these flavors! Little pockets of Arabic dips and dishes such as hummus, Moutabal, Falafel, Tabouleh, and pitta bread gathered on a big plate. Unfortunately here in Greece, I can't find the big Pitta bread. Absolutely delicious! If you had the chance to try them, you know what I am talking about.
Take Baba Ganoush, which is what in America and in lots of other countries is used to describe baked eggplants with spices. It does not have tahini but smoked Aubergine mixed with onions, tomatoes, and other veggies. But actually, there is another similar dish called Mutabal or Moutabal. It's smokier, contains tahini, aubergines, and sometimes, cumin.
During my working years in the restaurants of Qatar I could find either Baba Ganoush or Moutabal. I had tasted some great versions of both of them, and today I present the original Mourabal recipe, taught by my Qatari friend.
Moutabal has 110 calories per serving, it's highly nutritious, 8 grams of total fat, gluten-free, sugar-free and Vegan!
You can also, make this recipe with a few versions of your favorite spices.
How to make Mutabal - Step by Step
PHOTO 1
PHOTO 2
PHOTO 3
Garnish with little parsley and pomegranate (Photo 6)
Arabic Platter
Moutabal is usually accompanied by other Arabic treats. Hummus - a chickpeas creamy dish, Tabbouleh - a parsley/couscous dish, and Falafel - a chickpeas balls dish.
📖 Recipe
Authentic Mutabal (Baba Ganoush) – Creamy Smoky Middle Eastern Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bake the eggplant for about 45 minutes at 356 Farenheit
- Bake the garlic with the eggplant for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven.
- Cut the eggplant in half, remove the flesh and mash it very well.
- Smush the garlic
- Add garlic, tahini, salt, cumin, olive oil, red peppers flakes, lemon juice to the mashed eggplant and mix well
- Garnish with little parsley and pomegranate.
- Enjoy!!
Notes
Nutrition
Do you know any other differences between Baba Ganoush and Moutabal? I would love to hear your thoughts and experience.
Are you planning to make this Recipe? I LOVE to see your creations. Please take a photo and tag 
Dianne
Can I still call it baba ganoush? I read a comment on a different blog that corrected the "Chef" that he did not make baba ganoush but rather mutabal.
I decided to google it and it does seem we American's call the eggplant/tahini dish by the wrong name. But, I love saying "baba ganoush", "baba...ganoushhhhh". It really is a wonderful word combo 🙂
I grilled my eggplants on my gas grill with a little packet of wood chips to get that extra smoky flavor. I also drizzled olive oil on my garlic cloves and wrapped it tightly in foil and grilled that for around 10 minutes. I prefer the more mellow flavor of roasted garlic. It was wonderful.
Thanks for this recipe and the clarification on the differences between the two dishes.
Pinelopi Kyriazi
Hey Dianne! Thanks for your lovely message 🙂
You leveled up the recipe with your smoking/grilling skills! I will try that out too.
Yes you can still call it baba ganoush 🙂 In fact in Arabic countries this name is quite popular! So go for it.
Enjoy your day! 🙂
Becky
I've been searching for and experimenting with different mutabal recipes and came across this one. I grilled the eggplants for the smokey flavor and ran the ingredients through a food processor for a smooth texture. Otherwise I followed your ingredient ratios and recipe and it's a winner! I'm glad I can stop searching for my favorite mutabal recipe.
Pinelopi Kyriazi
Thank you so much! Glad that you liked it! 🙂
Edie Hannula
I see something really interesting about your website so I bookmarked.
Katrice Irvin
you are my inspiration , I possess few web logs and very sporadically run out from to brand : (.
George
Very delicious!! I put extra olive and love it! Thanks!
George
Very Tasty!
George
Thanks for the recipe. Delicious!
George
Thanks for the recipe. Delicious! I put extra garlic
George
Love the recipe! Make hummus also.
George
Yumy yummy! I made it yesterday!
Natalie
This looks amazing. I love your recipes!
Kristine
I will make it for my birthday. So simple
Mary
Loved the recipe
Colin
Very tasty!
chichi
Love the Arabic recipes
Niki
Love your Arabic recipes
Penny
Thanks for the tasty recipe
Dorothy
super tasty! I combine it with baked potatotes
Doro
Can i put extra garlic?
Nkerdo
the pomegrate made all the difference. I add a little carrot as well.
Pinelopi Kyriazi
It felt like a fancy arabic dish, but I had it on the table in under 30 minutes!
Pinelopi Kyriazi
Made this sauce the other night, and it turned out creamy, cozy, and just the right amount of indulgent for a weeknight dinner.
Pinelopi Kyriazi
Oh my god loved it!!
Pinelopi Kyriazi
SO delicious!!!
Pinelopi Kyriazi
SO delicious!!!Love all your Arabic recipes
Pinelopi Kyriazi
Delicious!
Pinelopi Kyriazi
I love such easy recipes with simple ingredients.
Pinelopi Kyriazi
My kids licked off the bowl, lol.
Pinelopi Kyriazi
Pure arabic food its the best! Delicious!
Pinelopi Kyriazi
loved the recipe! I added a little bit sugar and its matches perfectly!
Pinelopi Kyriazi
Yes girl this is the original moutabal
Pinelopi Kyriazi
In my country we call in Baba ganoush. delicious!