mutabal vs baba ghanouj — Blog — Omayah Cooks // Syrian Recipes + Photography by Omayah Atassi

Step 1

If using fresh eggplants, smoke them either on the stove, under the broiler, or on a charcoal grill.

Step 2

If using the stove, place them directly on the burner and turn frequently until charred on all sides.

Step 3

If using a broiler, pierce the eggplants all over and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet and place under the broiler. Turn every 15 minutes until charred on all sides, about 30-45 minutes.

Step 4

If using a charcoal grill, after your grilling session, place the eggplants on the grates and let the coals die down naturally. You can forget about them for hours.

Step 5

Remove the flesh from the skin and place in a colander set over a bowl to drain of excess moisture, for an hour or 2.

Step 6

Chop or purée the flesh. Combine with the rest of the ingredients and adjust seasoning.

Step 7

Plate the mutabal in a medium-sized shallow bowl or plate. Create a swirl pattern with the back of a spoon, turning the plate around, and gradually going towards the center. Drizzle olive oil and add selected toppings, following the swirl pattern.

Step 8

If using fresh eggplants, smoke them either on the stove, under the broiler, or on a charcoal grill.

Step 9

If using the stove, place them directly on the burner and turn frequently until charred on all sides.

Step 10

If using a broiler, pierce the eggplants all over and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet and place under the broiler. Turn every 15 minutes until charred on all sides, about 30-45 minutes.

Step 11

If using a charcoal grill, after your grilling session, place the eggplants on the grates and let the coals die down naturally. You can forget about them for hours.

Step 12

Remove the flesh from the skin and place in a colander set over a bowl to drain of excess moisture, for an hour or 2.

Step 13

Chop or purée the flesh. Combine with the rest of the ingredients and adjust seasoning.

Step 14

Plate the mutabal in a medium-sized shallow bowl or plate. Create a swirl pattern with the back of a spoon, turning the plate around, and gradually going towards the center. Drizzle olive oil and add selected toppings, following the swirl pattern.