Baba Ganoush or Hummus

What to Choose: Baba Ganoush or Hummus

Baba ganoush or hummus? Whichever you choose you cannot go wrong. Both appetizers are delicious and healthy. Both have originated in the Levant and spread around the world. Both are thick, creamy, and filling. Mediterranean cuisine is known for its big healthy flavors and both baba ganoush and hummus are great examples of it.

Baba ganoush

Baba ganoush is a dip made of eggplant, roasted and mashed. The eggplant is mixed with olive oil. Additional ingredients change with the culture making the food, but tend to include tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. The name “baba ganoush” means pampered father in Arabic, but whether that phrase describes the eggplant or the eater is up to debate.

Eggplant is an ingredient that inspires strong feelings. Eggplant has little taste and instead picks up the flavors of the items mixed with it. It does have a slight astringency and unique texture which some people dislike, and others love. This Arabic appetizer includes roasted eggplant that takes on the smoky and pleasant flavor from the roast.

Hummus

Hummus is considered one of the classics of mediterranean cuisine Hummus is a dip made of chickpeas, cooked and mashed. The chickpeas are mixed with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. The name “hummus” means chickpeas in Arabic and it is the queen of Arabic appetizers.

The best hummus balances the flavors of each ingredient behind the slightly nutty flavor of the chickpeas. Prepared in the traditional way, it has a mild flavor that most people enjoy with a touch of sour (lemon), salty, and bitter (tahini) to keep it interesting. Hummus is smooth, thick, very filling, and is a healthy choice.

Healthy Choices

Both hummus and baba ganoush are high in fiber, low in calories, and rich in Omega-3s. Both offer a range of healthy minerals: calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. The chickpeas in hummus have protein, insoluble fiber, and Vitamin B6. The eggplant is more nutritionally dense in vitamins B, E, and riboflavin because it cooks down much smaller than it starts. Baba ganoush also has a lower calorie count.

How to choose

1) Scarcity – Hummus is readily available at grocery stores, so get baba ganoush because it is more special.

2) Crowd pleaser – If you are sharing a plate with friends, hummus is the more widely loved choice.

3) Health – Both dishes are very healthy, but baba ganoush has a slight edge here with more vitamins from the eggplant and a lower calorie count.

4) Big meal to come – Get baba ganoush, it’s less filling than hummus.

5) Happiness – Order both dips and share them with friends. Why should you have to choose only one?

Middle eastern food is best when shared with family and friends. If you bring enough friends along, you can get both and have a taste-testing.

Pita Pita Mediterranean Grill is an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant that serves both hummus and baba ganoush. Stop in today for a flavor experience, or order online at your own convenience!