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HomePlant Based FoodGluten Free A-Z : Zaalouk- Moroccan Eggplant Appetizer

Gluten Free A-Z : Zaalouk- Moroccan Eggplant Appetizer


bowl of eggplant dip with olives

Searching for an attention-grabbing dip? Maybe one thing completely different? It is enjoyable to strive recipes from quite a lot of cultures comparable to this scrumptious Moroccan Zaalouk (pronounced Za’alouk)

With the vacations coming, I am at all times on the look out for wholesome low calorie methods to entertain.  I used to be initially launched to this tasty moroccan recipe at a Moroccan buddy’s appetizer get together just a few years in the past, and had completely forgotten about it!

Moroccan appetizers in little round platesIt is made with eggplant and tomatoes, lemon juice, garlic and spices; cilantro and jalapeño are optionally available. After looking out the Web for Moroccan bloggers, I discovered that each Moroccan prepare dinner has his/her manner of constructing this in style Moroccan appetizer.

White flat bowl with Moroccan vegan appetizer

Historically, zaalook, is clean and creamy. But, there are those that favor it a bit of chunky. I’m one among “these”.  

Roast or Prepare dinner the Eggplant? 

I’ve experimented with quite a lot of recipes that I discovered on some genuine Moroccan blogs. A few of which name for broiling or roasting the eggplant; others that decision for cooking the eggplant in a saucepan. Personally, I like the way in which it tasted each methods.

Nevertheless, I discovered the broiling (even in my air-fryer) messier, extra time consuming, and it heated up my kitchen. Then I wanted to take away pores and skin from the eggplant, scoop it out, and chop it for the saucepan to complete cooking with the tomatoes. 

Subsequently, I favor cooking it on the range high. 

The range high technique took about 20 minutes of prep together with peeling and deseeding the tomatoes. 

Free Eggplant Aubergine photo and picture
Roasted eggplant must be scooped out, chopped, and added to the saucepan 

Peeling and de-seeding the tomatoes

Ethnic cooking is scrumptious however can take a bit of effort. On this case, it’s prompt that you simply peel off the pores and skin and take away the seeds of the tomatoes earlier than including them to the saucepan to prepare dinner with the eggplant cubes, which is an additional step within the course of.

I discovered a Youtube Video right here that may train you how you can simply peel and de-seed the tomato!
Free Tomato Vegetables photo and picture

Eggplant may be very in style in Moroccan cooking and makes a tasty low calorie base for a dip. Eggplant is cholesterol-free, naturally low in fats, but gives a pleasant quantity of fiber. 

It’s a good supply of manganese which is a mineral that works collectively with calcium and Vitamin D to assist assist bone well being. A deficiency of manganese could cut back bone mineral density (supply).
Moroccan eggplant appetizer in a bowl

Lastly, I made a decision so as to add some Kalamata olives to my za’alouk. I believe it gave it a bit of added texture and taste. Serve with 

(GF ) crackers or crudités. 

Recipe for Zaalouk 

Components: 

4 cloves garlic, pressed 

2 tablespoons of water for sautéing garlic (see notes)

1 med/giant eggplant, washed, peeled, and cubed

3 tomatoes, peeled and seeded and chopped

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup of freshly chopped cilantro (or parsley should you dislike cilantro)

1/2 teaspoon of floor cumin 

Himalayan salt

Cracked pepper

1/4 cup of sliced Kalamata olives

*additional seasoning if wanted (style and decide-cumin, salt, garlic powder, pepper, lemon)

Instructions: 

Add pressed garlic to a 3 qt. saucepan with 2 tablespoons of water. Prepare dinner slowly over a low warmth for about 2 minutes, stirring. Add eggplant, tomato, lemon juice, cilantro, cumin, salt and pepper. Prepare dinner on a low warmth till the eggplant and tomatoes prepare dinner down and are very gentle. Utilizing a spoon, stir and make right into a chunky paste. Add the olives and further seasoning if wanted.

My Notes: 

1. I prefer to hold my recipes oil-free. In case you favor, sauté in olive oil as a substitute of water.

2. The addition of olives is my thought and never conventional to this recipe. 

3. I additionally noticed a recipe for Zaalouk final week on a weblog that I get pleasure from referred to as Cocoa and Lavender. The creator lately revealed a publish that includes Moroccan appetizers that included zaalouk. You’ll be able to see his recipe and his different Moroccan appetizer reciperight here 

4. Hold this excellent dip in thoughts for vacation entertaining. 

  •    Could be made a day prematurely earlier than serving
  •     Freeze (omit the olives) add them after defrosted
  •     Defrost in fridge and pour off any additional liquid

5. In case you strive making the zaalouk and make diversifications to the recipe, please share within the feedback. 

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  •                  Wonderful Prayer for Israel:Sung so fantastically by a Cantor In a Florida, it introduced tears to my eyes! Avenu Shabashamayim- means our father in heaven.


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