Revelatory MidEast Carrot, Cashew & Date Dip: Vegetarian with Vegan Option
'You've made carrot lovely! Completely unique' 'Utterly delicious.' 'A revelation'
updated 02.04.20 |
This amazing Middle Eastern dip comes courtesy of Bethany Kehdy, author of a new cookbook on Middle Eastern cuisine*.
It is extraordinary: slightly sweet, crunchy, incredibly more-ish. It has such unique flavours the tastebuds and sit up and whistle.
It's classified as a Moutabel dip, popular on Mediterranean tables, but is originally a Syrian speciality. It does not have chickpeas but is flavoured with tahini. Traditionally made with eggplant, nowadays a variety of vegetables are used.
It is extraordinary: slightly sweet, crunchy, incredibly more-ish. It has such unique flavours the tastebuds and sit up and whistle.
It's classified as a Moutabel dip, popular on Mediterranean tables, but is originally a Syrian speciality. It does not have chickpeas but is flavoured with tahini. Traditionally made with eggplant, nowadays a variety of vegetables are used.
This one is based on - of all things - carrot(!) but beet, potato and zucchini can also appear.
The Moutabel is pure delight - the carrots take on sensational un-carrot-like flavours; caraway adds exoticism; cashews turn brown and buttery; fresh dates and dried unsweetened coconut provide pockets of sweetness.
67 made one adjustment to the recipe, reducing the amount of butter from 75 grams/2.6oz to 50gm/1.7oz to make it slightly lower in cholesterol.
The moutabel is vegetarian with a vegan option -- godsends during the festive season. It's also wallet-friendly and easy to prepare.
The Moutabel is pure delight - the carrots take on sensational un-carrot-like flavours; caraway adds exoticism; cashews turn brown and buttery; fresh dates and dried unsweetened coconut provide pockets of sweetness.
67 made one adjustment to the recipe, reducing the amount of butter from 75 grams/2.6oz to 50gm/1.7oz to make it slightly lower in cholesterol.
The moutabel is vegetarian with a vegan option -- godsends during the festive season. It's also wallet-friendly and easy to prepare.
Cost: £2.50 + crudités and pitta or flatbread (2018)
Makes: medium size bowl
Ingreds:
Base
500gm/17.5oz carrots, pref organic, roughly chopped
1/2 tsp caraway seeds
2-3 tablespoons tahini*
juice of a lemon
finely grated zest of a lemon
Topping
50-75gm/1.7-2.6oz butter/coconut oil/vegan butter
45gm/1.5oz unsalted cashews
60gm/generous 2oz finely chopped best datesc
Makes: medium size bowl
Ingreds:
Base
500gm/17.5oz carrots, pref organic, roughly chopped
1/2 tsp caraway seeds
2-3 tablespoons tahini*
juice of a lemon
finely grated zest of a lemon
Topping
50-75gm/1.7-2.6oz butter/coconut oil/vegan butter
45gm/1.5oz unsalted cashews
60gm/generous 2oz finely chopped best datesc
good pinch cinnamon
2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
Serve with: pitta or flatbread, raw veg: peppers, cauliflower, celery
Method:
Base
- Cook carrots in large amount of boiling salted water 10mins or until a knife goes through without resistance; drain well (67's large carrots took 20 mins)
- Dry fry seeds in a large non-stick frying pan until toasty & aromatic; cool
- Blitz carrots, seeds & tahini in a blender
- Stir in lemon juice & zest if using
- Pour into serving dish; use back of spoon to make a wide well in the centre
- Spoon in topping
Topping:
- Melt butter in small pan over med heat until bubby; add cashews; stir and toss 2-5 mins until golden brown (careful; they burn easily)
- Take off heat; stir in dates & cinnamon
- Sprinkle with coconut
- Arrange in the well of the carrot dip
Bethany Kehdy 'The Jewelled Table', Hardie Grant (£25)
Comments: - 'You've made carrot lovely! This is a completely unique flavour; it would be perfect for Boxing Day, maybe with salad, brightening up the stodgy remains of a European dinner.' Political Agent
- 'Delicious! Definitely good and the pepper strips go really well with it!' Campaign Manager
- 'A revelation; such an unexpected treat.' Retired writer
- a lower-fat version of this dip is found here
- Organic carrots are recommended; the flavour is so much better and nowadays are well priced at a pound in money for 500gm.
- see 15-minute flatbread for easy yeast & sugar free puffy bread
First courses/canapes NavBar: Recipes II (bottom of page)...
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