Mutabal - Beet Dip or Spread

When I posted a recipe for babaganoush, someone commented that they only knew the recipe as ‘mutabal’. I suppose the name difference is due to one’s familial region of origin. To most, both babaganoush and mutabal conjure up images of eggplant (aubergine), mashed with garlic, tahini, and a few other ingredients, and served as a dip or spread. 

Mutabal - Beet Dip/Spread

Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about this topic:

Baba ghanoush is a popular Levantine dish of eggplant (aubergine) mashed and mixed with various seasonings. Frequently the eggplant is baked or broiled over an open flame before peeling, so that the pulp is soft and has a smoky taste. Baba ghanoush is usually eaten as a dip with pita bread, and is sometimes added to other dishes. It is usually of an earthy light brown color.

Mutabbal

Similar to baba ganouj is another Levantine dish mutabbal (lit. 'spiced'), which also includes mashed cooked aubergines and tahini, and mixed with salt, pepper, olive oil, and anar seeds. Moutabel is sometimes said to be a spicier version of baba ghanoush.

In Armenia the dish is known as mutabal. The essential ingredients in Armenian mutabal are eggplant, tahini, garlic, lemon, and onion; and most Armenians also add cumin.

Eggplant, a very traditional Armenian ingredient, cannot be used in my home recipes due to my husband’s allergies. So when an acquaintance suggested making mutabal with beets, I was intrigued. 

When I made the recipe I used canned beets, and served it with toasted pita chips.
To make the pita chips, I cut pita bread into triangles, sprayed the tops with vegetable spray (olive oil PAM), and baked them in a 350 degree oven for 5 to 7 minutes.

Mutabal - Beet Dip or Spread

Ingredients:

2 large red beets, roasted or boiled, peeled, and cut into cubes (One 15-oz. can of beets – not marinated – can be substituted. Drain beets before using.)

2 Tbsp. tahini

2 Tbsp. plain yogurt

1 clove minced garlic

Juice of one lemon

Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional toppings: olive oil, toasted pine nuts, or chopped parsley

Directions:

1. Process cooked, peeled (or canned, drained) beets in a food processor. Drain excess liquid. Add remaining ingredients – except for those listed as toppings – and process until smooth and well-combined.

2. Place mixture in a serving bowl. Before serving, drizzle top with olive oil. Garnish with toasted pine nuts or chopped parsley. Serve with pita bread triangles, pita chips, or vegetable dippers.