Here comes rant #2. Ready? Here we go.
What’s with the Universe conspiring to make sure I get absolutely no sleep? Seriously. What’s up with that?
By now I know that shutting off my brain when I get in bed, is pretty much an impossible task. Because trying to ignore the thousand and one thoughts, ideas, plans and all the other nonsense living in my head, is just not going to happen. And it’s ok, I can live with that.
But apparently, sleeping in a little bit in the morning isn’t going to happen either.
My son is usually my alarm clock, set for 6am. He’s 7, so I guess that's somewhat normal. But you would think that the days he’s not with me, I would get a chance to sleep in juuust a little bit, right?? Wrong.
There’s always something or someone determined to keep that from happening: the landscapers, a text message, a call, me just randomly opening my eyes at 5am for no reason… And you wanna hear the latest one? My neighbor sneezing. I’m not even trying to be funny here. I'm dead serious. That’s what woke me up a couple of days ago. I don’t know if it was my neighbor in the apartment above mine, or next to mine or where the heck he was. All I know is that he sneezed and it woke me up. Isn’t that ridiculous? I mean, I know I’m a light sleeper but, come on!! So, I'm pretty much giving up at this point. Thank goodness for coffee. And concealer.
Anyway… that’s that. But going back to the whole balance thing. The Universe’s shenanigans aren’t always that annoying. A lot of times, they’re quite interesting. And awesome.
Like, the way we discovered this new product that we’ve fallen in love with: Soom brand Tehina
Both Vicky and I got our hands on this amazing sesame paste through two different sources, that ended up being “connected” themselves. It’s sort of a long story (may be for another post) but the bottom line is, we were somehow meant to try this product and it found its way to us.
Soom Foods Tehina (which is actually the more correct way to call it) the most delicious tahini, we have tried so far. We compared it to several other brands that we use, and it's definitely far superior. It has a natural sweetness and richness that makes all our dishes shine. The secret is in the seeds, Amy, the youngest of the 3 sisters behind Soom Foods, tells us Soom Foods Tehina is made in Israel using White Humera Sesame seeds imported from Ethiopia. It's really worth a try. You can usually order from their site, but it is being updated at this time, so just send them an email and they will let you know were you can buy this fantastic tahini (or even better Tehina 🙂 ).
Need more excuses to try it? Check out these recipes... ENJOY!!
Chilhood memories salad with zaatar croutons and tehina dressing
Vegan Tahini "Ice Cream" with Pistachios & Cardamom Halvah Sauce
Easy Entertaining - Bulgur Wheat Patties With Spicy Tahini Sauce
Baked herbed falafel with tahini
Quick and Easy Halvah Truffles
Warm Deconstructed Hummus with Pine Nuts
Sfuff - Middle Eastern Turmeric Cake
Meatless Monday: Beluga Lentil Baba Ghanoush
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 2 ½ cups - 4 -6 servings 1x
Description
Transform the classic baba ghanoush dip into a main dish by adding beluga lentil
Ingredients
- 2 large eggplants
- 1 cup raw black beluga lentils, rinsed
- 4 cups of water with 1tsp of salt
- ¼ cup tahini (we used our favorite Tehina Soom Foods)
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (not the bottled stuff, please!!)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp black sesame seeds
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds (about 1 medium pomegranate)
- 1 loaf of crusty whole grain country bread or your bread of choice
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to broil 550F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum or parchment paper
- Stab eggplant on all sides with a knife about 20-30 times (depending on the size) and place it on the lined baking sheet. Broil for 30 minutes on each side
- In the meantime bring salted water to a boil. Add rinsed lentils and cook for 20 minutes on high (the lentils will still be al dente)
- Remove eggplant from the oven and let it sit until cool enough to handle (about 20 minutes). Cut in half and with the help of a spoon, scoop out ALL the flesh, discarding the skin
- Place eggplant in a colander, with a bowl underneath, and let it sit for 20 minutes.
- Place eggplant in a large glass bowl. Mash it with a fork, and mix in tahini, lemon juice and salt until well incorporated.
- Then add sesame seeds, pomegranate seeds, parsley and 1 ¼ cups of cooked lentils and mix well
- Serve over toasted crusty wholegrain bread
Notes
YOU WILL HAVE SOME LENTILS LEFTOVER. ADD THEM TO YOUR FAVORITE SALAD OR STAY TUNED FOR MORE BELUGA LENTIL RECIPES.
- Prep Time: 60 mins
- Cook Time: 60 mins
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: Kosher / Middle Eastern
ATasteOfMadness
Wow, I was literally just now trying to find recipes using pomegranate seeds. You could not have written this at a better time. I want this!!
Vicky & Ruth
Nothing like perfect timing 🙂 Enjoy!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
I've been on a pomegranate kick lately. I can't get enough of it. And since I love eggplant too, I'm sure I would love this recipe. Happy New Year, Vicky & Ruth! As hard as it is, try to get some sleep 🙂
Vicky & Ruth
Let us know if you try it this dish. We loved it!
Shundara@SavyNaturalista
Lovely recipe.. I would have never though there was not any meat on it.. I always try ti sleep in but it never happens.. I understand your pain 🙂
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you. Sleep should be one of my New Year resolutions 🙂
Ashley
Not getting enough sleep is the worst! And yes, thank goodness for coffee and concealer! haha I completely agree!
And this looks absolutely fantastic ... I've really gotten into all kinds of lentil lately. This would be such a nice and different way to use them!
Vicky & Ruth
We love lentils as well. Our local Whole Foods has a wonderful selection of lentils in bulk.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
I love all of the creative twists you made on a classic recipe! I know I will love this. Bookmarking it!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you very much for your kind words Davida.
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes
I totally have been running on no sleep too! I finally slept today for about 10 hours...what a relief! Anyway, I love the combination for this Meatless Monday dish! I'm starting to love lentil and I'm going to be pinning this to make in January. I hope you have a Happy New Year!
Vicky & Ruth
Si happy you liked it! Thank you for pinning it!
Layla @ Brunch Time Baker
Ladies this is such a great recipe!! I am from the middle east and have baba ghanoush all the time and have never tried it! What a great idea to add the pomegranates!! Have a Happy New Year 🙂
Vicky & Ruth
Since we are obssesd with pomegranates we try to used them as much as we can in our recipes while the season last. It gave the Baba Ghanoush a nice crunch and fresh feel. So glad you like it!
Liz
Such a gorgeous, yummy spread! I'm going to look for that brand of tahina/tahini...I make tons of hummus and am happy for your recommendation 🙂 Happy New Year!!!
Vicky & Ruth
The Tahini was really exceptional, we love it!
Kelly
Love baba ghanoush and this sounds wonderful with the pomegranate seeds and beluga lentils. Hope you try to get some sleep as hard as it may be - I feel your pain, I never sleep too since my toddler is growing his last set of molars hehe. Hope you both have a wonderful New Year!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you Kelly. I remember those toddler days, they were quite hard… Happy New Year to you too.
John@Kitchen Riffs
Getting enough sleep is always a challenge, isn't it? Anyway, love this recipe - such great flavors! Thanks.
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you. It's amazing to see that so many people are sleep "challenged".
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs
What an original and delicious way to use lots of my favorite ingredients in a dish! I love pomegranate seeds, lentils, eggplant and tahini is one of my favorite ingredients to play with! That tehina sounds fabulous and I wish I could get it here gaaaah.
Oh, lovely pictures, by the way! ;--) And Happy New Year! x
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you Consuelo, if you are ever in the US you can try it or maybe one day they will export to Spain!
Ronnie Fein
Coffee, yes! Concealer no help for me anymore. But I get the "no sleep" thing. And I also get Soom tehina. It is wonderful. The sandwich looks swell. Love meatless; this is right up my dining alley.
Vicky & Ruth
Ha, ha, ha, you are very funny Ronnie!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
Such a pretty dish!! I love pomegranates!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you Ashley!
Yosef - This American Bite
That looks so delicious!!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you Yosef.
Christine
This looks delicious! Love the addition of lentils and pomegranate. Three of my fav ingredients rolled into one!
Vicky & Ruth
Thanks!! We feel the same way. We basically put together some of our very favorite ingredients in one recipe!!
Lillian @ sugar and cinnamon
Oh my gosh I love this dip so much! So glad I have a recipe to try now 🙂 it looks great!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you!! Hope you enjoy it!! And your orange and poppy seed pancakes look sooo yummy! Perfect after a sleepless night 😉
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life
"Thank goodness for coffee and concealer" -> Amen to that! I'm really sorry about not being able to sleep - it is so frustrating! You are still turning out incredible recipes like this one though!
Vicky & Ruth
Hahaha, thank you!! Although I have to say, part of the reason why I can't sleep is because I keep thinking of new recipes to try!! 😉
Jamie Geller
what a beauty of a recipe!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you Jamie! Definitely going back to our roots with this one!
Dearna @tohercore
Oh yum, this looks divine! I bet you could use this filling a bunch of different ways too - Im thinking it would be great wrapped up in a crunchy lettuce leaf as a snack! Mmmm 🙂
Vicky & Ruth
Oooohhh lettuce wraps!! That's an awesome idea!! We'll definitely have to try that 😉
Tamar Genger @joyofkosher
I would never have thought to mix lentils in with babaganoush, looks gorgeous and I really want to try beluga lentils.
Vicky & Ruth
We love beluga lentils. They're smaller and slightly firmer than regular lentils. They keep they shape better and don't get mushy!
Christin@SpicySouthernKItchen
Hope you get some sleep soon! I am a light sleeper so I can relate. Love how pretty the pomegranate seeds look added to this Baba Ghanoush!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you! As you can see, we've been obsessed with pomegranate seeds lately. Sweet, tart, crunchy, pretty and healthy. What's not to like?? 🙂
Alison@AliBabka
Mouth. Is. Watering. Love the pomegranate seeds!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you, they add a nice color and crunch!
Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat
This is gorgeous! Great idea!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you, we were really inspired the first week of 2014 🙂
Melissa {lilmisscakes}
The tehina sounds amazing! So glad you found a product you love.
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you Melissa, it is really a great product. You should give it a try if you get a chance.