The versatile Mediterranean recipe you never knew you needed.
Today we’re sharing our recipe for Greek eggplant dip (also known as Melitzanosalata on the island of Greece!) This recipe offers so many incredible flavors including sweetness, saltiness, and even a little bit of smokiness. Plus, it’s made with fresh and healthy ingredients that you can feel good about!
One thing you may find surprising is that in Greek cuisine, recipes like this eggplant dip do not serve as an accompaniment to something, but are stand-alone dishes. Although it sounds strange, this eggplant dip would be served with fresh pita bread and seen as a complete meal.
But that’s not to say you can’t enjoy our Greek eggplant dip however you want…
Many Ways to Enjoy This Eggplant Dip
This versatile recipe can be enjoyed in a number of delicious ways. Here are some great options:
As a Dip: Serve the eggplant dip alongside an assortment of fresh vegetables, such as cucumber slices, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, and bell pepper strips. It makes for a tasty and healthy appetizer or snack.
Spread on Sandwiches or Wraps: Use the eggplant dip as a flavorful spread on sandwiches or wraps. It adds a unique Mediterranean twist to your favorite sandwich fillings, such as grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or even falafel.
Top Grilled Protein: Spoon the eggplant dip over grilled meats, such as lamb chops, chicken kebabs, or fish filets. The creamy texture and smoky flavor of the dip complement the grilled meats exceptionally well, especially shellfish.
Mix with Pasta: Toss your eggplant dip with cooked pasta for a quick and easy meal. Add some cherry tomatoes, olives, and fresh herbs for extra flavor, freshness, and nutrition.
Use it as a Side Dish: Serve the eggplant dip as a side dish alongside grilled seafood, roasted meats, or vegetarian dishes. It adds a burst of flavor and richness to any meal.
Spread on Crackers or Crostini: Instead of pita bread, spread some eggplant dip on crackers or toasted baguette slices for a simple and delicious appetizer. Garnish with fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil for an elegant presentation.
Use it as a Pizza Topping: Spread this eggplant dip on some pizza dough as a flavorful alternative to traditional tomato sauce. Top with your favorite toppings, such as roasted vegetables, feta cheese, and olives, for a Mediterranean-inspired pizza.
Mix into Salad Dressings: Use this Mediterranean eggplant dip as a base for creamy salad dressings. Simply thin it out with a bit of olive oil and lemon juice or vinegar, and use it to dress salads or even grain bowls.
Use it to Stuff Vegetables: Use the eggplant dip as a filling for hollowed-out vegetables, such as bell peppers, tomatoes, or zucchini. Bake until the vegetables are tender for a delicious and nutritious dish.
While you mull over how you want to enjoy this Greek eggplant dip, let’s talk about what ingredients are needed and how to make it!
Ingredients Needed for Greek Eggplant Dip
This recipe only requires a few basic ingredients but when combined, we’re left with an incredibly flavorful eggplant dip that’s bursting with Mediterranean flavors! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Eggplant
- Garlic
- Apple cider vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh parsley
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Now that we’ve got our ingredients, let’s see how to prepare this yummy dip!
How to Make Greek Eggplant Dip
Begin by preheating the oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Wash the eggplant with cold water and dry it well. Poke a couple of holes in each eggplant with a fork to help the liquid drain out while they’re in the oven. This is an important step because the water in eggplants can taste very bitter. If they don’t drain properly, the bitterness can ruin the flavor!
Once the oven is preheated, arrange the eggplant on a baking sheet and bake them for about 40 minutes. Check the eggplants with a fork to make sure they are soft and pierce easily. Once ready, cut them in half and let them cool in a colander.
When the eggplants have cooled, peel them and place them back into the colander. Then, with the help of a wooden spoon, crush them well to drain as much of the water as you can.
When the eggplants are nice and dry, you can begin to prepare the dip. Chop the flesh of your eggplants with a knife, and place everything in a bowl. Then, add the freshly crushed garlic, chopped parsley, oil, vinegar, and smoked paprika. Mix well and adjust the salt and pepper to suit your personal taste.
All that’s left to do is serve it however you like, and enjoy!
Greek Eggplant Dip
Ingredients
- 2.2 pounds eggplants
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- 5 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 3 tablespoons parlsey freshly chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- First preheat the oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.
- Wash the eggplant with cold water and dry it well. With the help of a fork, poke a couple of holes in each eggplant to help the liquid leak out in the oven.
- Arrange the eggplant on a baking sheet, and bake for about 40 minutes.
- Once the eggplants are ready (check with a fork to make sure they are soft), cut them in half and let them cool in a colander.
- When they are less hot, peel the eggplants and place them back in the colander. Then with the help of a wooden spoon crush them well so that they lose much of their water.
- When nice and dry, we are ready to prepare our sauce. Chop the flesh of your eggplants with a knife, and place everything in a bowl.
- Then add: the freshly crushed garlic, chopped parsley, oil, vinegar and paprika. Mix well and adjust the salt and pepper to suit your personal taste.
Notes
- The loss of liquid from the eggplant is an important step.
The water in this vegetable is very bitter and can ruin the taste of your dish if it is not removed. - I recommend leaving the melitzanosalata at least overnight in the refrigerator before consuming it.
Of course, this is not mandatory, but it will help increase the aroma and flavor of your sauce.
Nutrition Information
Have you made this recipe?
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Did you try this Melitzanosalata? If so, let us know what you thought of it and how you served it in the comment section below!
More Mediterranean Recipes
Want more Mediterranean-inspired recipes? We’ve got plenty more where that came from! Check these yummy recipes out next:
- Sheet Pan Greek Vegetables with Feta
- Cucumber Quinoa Salad with Ground Turkey, Olives, and Feta
- Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant Burgers With Cheese
- Mediterranean Style Greek Meatballs
- Mediterranean Fried Rice
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