Spicy Eggplant Dip with Harissa Spice and No Tahini
Are you looking for a mouth-watering dip to serve at your next party or to enjoy as an afternoon snack? This eggplant dip recipe is sure to be a hit with anyone who loves bold, earthy, and fresh flavors. Pair it with delicious Crunchmaster crackers, and you're party-ready! This post is sponsored by Crunchmaster Crackers.
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 60kcal
Ingredients
- 2 large eggplants
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil + extra to drizzle on top (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 lemon zest
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1 tsp harissa spice
- Pinch of kosher salt to taste
- 1 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Set oven to broil-high and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Stab the top of the eggplants with a knife three times each, then place the eggplants on a baking sheet in the hot oven.
- Broil on high for about 30 minutes, turning over the eggplants 2-3 times while they cook.
- Once the eggplants become burnt and the skin is wrinkly, remove the eggplants from the oven and allow them to cool until they can be handled without burning your hands.
- Cut off the stem and peel off the skin. Scrape any eggplant flesh from the sides of the skin and place the eggplant flesh in a strainer. Discard the skin and stem.
- Gently mash the eggplant with a fork inside the strainer to remove as much liquid as possible. Discard the liquid.
- Add the eggplant to a medium bowl, then add the olive oil, garlic cloves, lemon juice and zest, harissa spice, and a pinch of kosher salt.
- Mix the ingredients together and allow them to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes for the best results. The warm eggplant flesh will meld with the other ingredients.
- Enjoy the dip with delicious Crunchmaster crackers as an afternoon snack or fun party dip!
Notes
Where Do I Find Harissa Spice? Harissa spice is sold in the spice aisle at your local grocery store. If you can't find the spice, use harissa paste. Trader Joe's makes a harissa paste that I like. You can also look for it at the grocery store, wherever Mediterranean foods are sold.
What are Substitutes for Harissa? Harissa adds heat to any dish, so you could instead use siracha, Sambal Oelek, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or chili paste to add heat instead.
How Do I Store Leftovers? Store leftovers in a sealed container in your fridge for up to four days. Mine never lasts that long!
Why Didn't You Use Tahini? For me, omitting tahini from this dip was a matter of preference. I wanted a fresh, earthy dip vs. a creamy and savory dip. When you add tahini to eggplant, you typically call it baba ganoush vs. eggplant dip.
Nutrition
Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 398mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 103IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg