Baba Ganouj (Eggplant with Tehina)

Ingredients

• 1 large eggplant
• 1 medium onion
• 2 tbs. lemon juice
• 1/2 bunch parsley
• 1/2 cup tehina
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tsp. water
• 1 tsp. salt
• dash of cayenne pepper

Directions

Place whole unpeeled eggplant directly on a gas burner with flame set at medium, turning as the skin chars and inside becomes soft, or bake in a pan at 450⁰ until charred and tender (about 30 minutes). Let cool slightly, cut in half lengthwise and scoop out eggplant pulp with wooden spoon (the wooden sppon preserves the flavor). Chop fine and place in a ceramic or wooden bowl. Grate onion on largest holes of a grater. Squeeze juice from onion. Chop parsley fine and blend with eggplant and onion. In a separate bowl, blend tehina thoroughly with lemon juice and garlic. Stir in small amount of water until white in color. Add to eggplant mixture, with salt and dash of cayenne pepper. More lemon may be added for extra flavor. Garnish with parsley. Makes 2 1/2 – 3 cups.