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gluten free dip

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Gluten Free Vegetarian

The Ultimate Hummus Recipe.

3 Comments on The Ultimate Hummus Recipe.

spicy hummus recipe (8)

It’s funny how I kept telling people that I’m not a fan of Hummus and just didn’t understand the sort of current ‘Hummus Hype“..  until I started making my own. While Hummus may seem exotic, it’s probably one of the simplest recipes to put together. There’s no cooking involved, can be done in under 5 minutes and you can play around with flavors you like. In my case I like my Hummus to have a slight kick, with a subtle smoky undertone. Any excuse to put “Caribbean Sunshine” (scotch bonnet peppers) to use.

You’ll Need…

2 cups chickpeas (can)
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoon Tahini
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoon olive oil
juice 1 1/2 lemons
1 scotch bonnet pepper (optional)
2 tablespoon water

For presentation:
– chopped parsley
– few whole chickpeas
– paprika
– drizzle olive oil

Important! If doing this hummus vegan or gluten free, please go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure the recipe meets with your specific vegan and/or gluten free dietary needs.

Drain and rinse the chickpeas (from a can) with cool water, then place in your food processor.

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Char the scotch bonnet pepper (use any spicy pepper you like or have available) over an open flame. In my case I used a long tongs to hold the pepper in place directly over a burner on my stove. Should take less than a minute to char. set aside to cool. Remember if you’re using a metal tongs to be mindful that direct contact with the heat will make it go hot to touch.

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Smash the garlic and add it along with everything else to the food processor. When the scotch bonnet is cool enough to handle, remove the seeds and give it a rough chop before placing as much as you can handle into the food processor. Keep the seeds if you want it REALLY spicy. It’s VERY important that you wash your hands with soap and water immediately handing hot peppers.

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Pulse to start, then puree until smooth. You may need to push down the sides as you go along. Add a bit more water, oil or lemon juice if you find it’s overly thick. If you’re watching the video below, please note the ingredient list above was adjusted accordingly.

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Pour into your serving bowl and garnish with some chopped parsley, paprika and a drizzle of olive oil. You can store this hummus in the fridge for a week or so (airtight container).

Did you know? The last group of immigrants (1904) to venture to colonial Trinidad originated in the region previously known as Greater Syria, which comprises of present day Iraq, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon. Many of the Lebanese hailed from the villages of Buhandoun and Amyoun while the Syrians came from villages in the ‘Valley of the Christians.’ These Arabs emigrated to the Caribbean from as early as 1904 in an attempt to escape religious persecution and economic hardship in their native countries.

Trinidad’s thriving economy, political stability and pristine environment proved to be the ideal location where these displaced Arabs could establish new lives.

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Gluten Free Grilling Sauces & Condiments Vegetarian

Baigan Choka (eggplant dip) Recipe In The Oven.

4 Comments on Baigan Choka (eggplant dip) Recipe In The Oven.

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The key to making traditional baigan (eggplant) choka (dip) is roasting the eggplant over an open flame and if you really want to excite the taste buds with even more flavor, you would place the eggplant on hot coals. On so many levels this is not always possible, especially if you live in temperate climates where having that fire in the middle of winter is not possible. Yes, you can always use the flame on your stove top, but if you’ve ever had to clean up that stove after – you’d never do it again. This baigan choka recipe is specifically for people who want the same sort of flavors, but with an easier method of achieving this. Students, you can even do this is a toaster oven.

You’ll Need…

2 med eggplant (about 2-3 lbs)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon veg oil
2 cloves garlic (divided)
1 scotch bonnet pepper
1 small onion

* If you didn’t already know, baigan is just another name for eggplant. This dish is both vegetarian and gluten free. Be sure to go through the entire list of ingredients to ensure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary requirements.

Set your oven to the broil setting (525 F) and as it gets to temp, lets prepare the eggplant. Trim off the stem area, make some slits in the eggplant and for maximum flavor.. slice one of the cloves of garlic thinly and place them into the slits in the eggplant.

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Line a sturdy baking tray with tin foil so you won’t have a mess to clean up after. Place the eggplant and WHOLE scotch bonnet pepper and drizzle with the vegetable oil on the eggplant. Using your hands rub the oil around the eggplant and place it in the oven.

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After 5 minutes, remove the scotch bonnet – it should be slightly charred now. In a heavy bowl (or mortar and pestle) place the scotch bonnet (remove the stem), remaining clove of garlic and salt and pound to a smooth paste. Remember to wash your hands with soap and water after handling such hot peppers. TIP – I used a slightly mature scotch bonnet so I get a tamed heat. Remember you can control the heat level by how much scotch bonnet you choose to use.

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After 25-30 mins at 525 F your eggplant should be perfectly cooked. Remove from the oven and slice down the center and using a table spoon, scoop out all that goodness and place in the same bowl we have the crushed pepper / garlic / salt.

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Now crush the eggplant you scooped out until it’s somewhat smooth (you can do all of this with your mortar and pestle – I used a traditional “ponga”). Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan just until you start seeing smoke. In the meantime thinly slice the onion and place it on top of the eggplant mixture (do not mix it yet). Now pour the heat oil onto the onion (this is called chunka). By doing so we do two things. We get the rawness out of the sliced onion and we also pull some flavor out of the onion. Mix well and serve.

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This is a dish I love eating with hot sada roti and it’s something my mom makes daily for me when I visit home (Trinidad and Tobago), but you can use any flat bread or use as a dip for any of your favorite potato or corn chips. I hope you give it a try as it’s so simple to do in the oven and I know if you’re old school you’ll miss the smoky flavor of the fire roasted, but the high heat we roast it at in the oven will give it a unique taste.

Recipe Card

Baigan Choka (Eggplant Dip) in an orange serving bowl
Print Recipe

Baigan Choka (Oven-Roasted Eggplant Dip)

Cuisine: Courses: , Recipe Keys: Dairy Free Gluten Free Quick Meals Spicy Vegetarian
Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 35 mins
Servings: 4

Description

A classic Trinidadian dish, baigan choka is traditionally made by roasting eggplant over an open flame. This oven-broiled version captures the essence of the original, delivering that smoky flavor with less mess, perfect for those in cooler climates or without access to a grill.

Ingredients

Instructions

Video
  1. Set your oven to the broil setting 525 degrees F (275 degrees C).
  2. Prepare the Eggplant (2). Trim off the stem area, make some slits in the eggplant for maximum flavor.
  3. Slice one of the Garlic (2 clove) thinly and place them into the slits in the eggplant.
  4. Line a sturdy baking tray with tin foil.
  5. Place the eggplant and Scotch Bonnet Pepper (1) and drizzle Vegetable Oil (1 teaspoon) on eggplants. Using your hands rub the oil around the eggplant and place it in the oven for 25 minutes.
  6. After 5 minutes, remove the scotch bonnet – it should be slightly charred now.
  7. In a heavy bowl (or mortar and pestle) place the scotch bonnet (stem removed), remaining clove of garlic and Salt (1/4 teaspoon) and pound to a smooth paste.
  8. After 25-30 minutes, your eggplant should be perfectly cooked. Remove from the oven and slice down the center and using a table spoon, scoop out all that goodness and place in the same bowl as garlic-pepper mixture.
  9. Now crush the eggplant you scooped out until it’s somewhat smooth.
  10. Heat the Olive Oil (2 tablespoon) in a small frying pan just until it starts to smoke.
  11. Meanwhile, thinly slice the Onion (1) and place it on top of the eggplant mixture (do not mix it yet). Now pour the heated oil onto the onion.
  12. Mix well and serve.

Note

Baigan is another name for eggplant.

This dish is both vegetarian and gluten-free.

Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper to control the heat level.

Be cautious when handling hot peppers; wash hands thoroughly after use.

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Gluten Free Sauces & Condiments Vegetarian

Zesty Garlic Avocado Yogurt Dip

1 Comment on Zesty Garlic Avocado Yogurt Dip

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As I’ve indicated in the past, I’m addicted to avocados or zabouca and/or pear, as it’s also known in the Caribbean. However, the variety of avocados grown in the Caribbean is much different than the ones you’d get from California, Mexico, and other Central American countries. Ours are much bigger, have a different texture (less creamy and more cheese-like), and can be stringy at times.

For this recipe I’ll be using a Hass avocado as I love the rich and creamy texture of it.. plus it’s what I have available. I’ve also included this recipe under the Gluten Free category, but do go through each ingredient to ensure it meets with your dietary guidelines if you’re following a gluten-free diet.

You’ll Need…

1 – 1.5 cups Greek yogurt (plain – or your fav yogurt)
1 avocado (ripe)
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 lemon (juice)
pinch sea salt
1/4 scotch bonnet pepper diced finely
fresh ground black pepper
pinch sugar (or honey)

Note: While many natural dairy products are gluten-free, some types of Greek yogurt may have gluten-containing additives. You’ll have to carefully read labels and perhaps even contact the manufacturers to determine which types of Greek yogurt are gluten-free. Your best bet is plain, whole-milk Greek yogurt.

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Deseed and remove the outer skin off the avocado and give it a rough dice. Finely dice the scotch bonnet pepper and try your best to not include any seeds as that’s where the raw heat will be. Remember to wash your hands with soap and water immediately after handling such hot peppers. Give the cilantro and garlic a rough chop as well.

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Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until you have a smooth creamy consistency. The lemon juice will not only give it a lovey citrus finish it will help it maintain it’s lovely colour.  Avocado is notorious for going discolored very fast.

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Store in a glass container and cover with plastic wrap if storing in the fridge. It’s one of those dips which must be eaten asap, but can be made about 2-4 hrs in advance before serving.

In my case ,I had this dip with the fried chicken wings I shared a while back. Note that the crispy chicken wing recipe in NOT gluten free as I used flour as a dusting before frying.

avocado dip in the middle of a pile of chicken wings
Print Recipe

Zesty Garlic Avocado Yogurt Dip

Courses: , , Recipe Keys: Dairy Spicy Vegetarian
Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Total Time 10 mins
Servings: 2

Description

This creamy dip combines ripe avocado, Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, and a hint of Caribbean heat. Ideal with chips, wings, or as a fresh sandwich spread.

Ingredients

Steps

Video
  1. Slice the avocado in half, remove the seed, and scoop out the flesh. Roughly dice it.
  2. Finely dice the garlic and scotch bonnet pepper. Roughly chop the cilantro.

  3. Place avocado, yogurt, garlic, scotch bonnet, cilantro, lemon juice, salt, sugar, and black pepper into a food processor or blender.

  4. Pulse until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure full incorporation.

  1. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Serve chilled.
    Transfer to a glass container. If storing, cover it with plastic wrap and press it directly onto the dip to prevent oxidation.

Note

  • For less heat, omit the scotch bonnet or replace it with a mild chili like pimento or a tiny slice of jalapeño.
  • Can be made up to 4 hours ahead; store with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to prevent browning.
  • If you prefer a looser dip, add a splash of water or lemon juice during blending.
  • Don’t use overripe avocados, or they will taste flat and discolor faster.
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