Mutabal, Syrian Cuisin

ingredients

• 2 to 3 medium eggplants (about 3 pounds total)
• 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/2 cup)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Rub the outside of the eggplants with olive oil and place them in a roasting plan. Roast the eggplant until the skin has charred and the interior is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool.

2. Peel and seed the cooled eggplant, roughly chop the flesh, and then transfer it to the bowl of a food processor.

3. Into the processor bowl add the tahini, garlic, lemon juice, some salt and pepper to taste, and a few teaspoons of cold water. Process the mixture to a coarse paste, adding a bit more water as needed to allow the mixture to blend.

4. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

from: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Eggplant-Dip-Baba-Ghanoush-51121500

from : http://blog.livedoor.jp/syria_travel/archives/422953.htm                      http://www.phoenixtour.jp/osaka/syria-dish.htm

       Syrian food is very similar to Lebanese. Syria is in the Middle East. Lebanon is a country, which is next to Syria. Syria and Lebanon was a same country. The Syrian food, Mutabal is called Babagaghanouj in Lebanon.
       In Syria there is many foods, which use sesame, lemon, olive oil, yogurt and herbs.
       Syrian meal has to have meze. Meze is kind of appetizer. It is consisted of vegetables and pees. Mutabal is one of the foods in meze. People usually eat it with breads. It is so delicious that you can’t stop eating in this way. Mutabal is mainly made from eggplants. Eggplant help eater to avoid cancer and improve health for example it is effective for healing mouth ulcer, gastritis, pneumonia and arthritis. Eggplant may help Syrian health.
       At first, I was interested in Mutabal because of the picture of this. It looks so beautiful and delicious. I think seeming of foods is very important as taste. I think good appearance makes meal delicious. Mutabal is good from such a viewpoint.
       As I look up Mutabal online I know it is very healthy. And what interest me the most is that It is basically containing no salt. I think it is have something to do with Syrian climate. Syria is an arid region. To take salt makes a man want water to make salt in body thin. But once maybe it is not easy to get enough water. So Mutabal can have been a popular cuisine. That stimulated my imagination.