Trying a healthy new flavor

The team at Cura Hospitality helped share healthy eating tips with residents as part of a BeWell demonstration.

Libbi, an Illinois State University intern, teamed up with Dietician and Executive Chef Rob to put together a delicious and delightful presentation featuring Baba Ghanoush for our Assisted Living residents.

Many had never tried the dish before - which is a classic Middle Eastern and Armenian eggplant and tahini dip with a creamy and smoky flavor. It pairs will with pita bread, naan, flatbread, as well as vegetables.

Residents enjoyed the chance to learn a new recipe, and to add a new flavor to their palette.

RECIPE:
Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Ingredients:
• 10 Eggplants
• 2 Tbsp roasted garlic
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup Tahini paste
• 1 Tbsp Canola & Olive oil blend
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh parsley, chopped fine
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh mint, chopped fine
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tsp Canola & Olive oil blend
• 1 tsp smoked ground paprika
• 2 tsp parsley, chopped fine
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Split eggplants in half lengthwise and place onto a parchment paper lined sheet pan cut surface down and roast for 30 minutes or until eggplant is soft and mailable to the touch.        
3. Allow roasted eggplant to cool slightly at room temperature and hollow-out flesh into a sieve placed over a catch pan; discard skin and stem. Cover and allow to drain under refrigeration for an hour or overnight.
4. Discard liquid from strained eggplant. Dice a quarter of strained eggplant into 1/4" cubes and set aside.
5. In a food processor, combine undiced eggplant, roasted garlic, lemon juice, tahini, first listed olive oil and parsley, mint, salt and pepper. Pulse until smooth.
6. Fold in diced eggplant and serve 1/2 cup portion.
7. For garnish on each 1/2 cup portion, drag the back of a spoon near the edge of the baba ghanoush to form a semi-circle well. Fill well with 1 tsp olive oil, then sprinkle 1/8 tsp paprika and 1/4 tsp parsley over the entirety of the product.

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