Kashke Bademjan is a simple Persian eggplant dip that is made with a handful of ingredients. This tasty vegetarian dip is full of amazing flavors and is the perfect appetizer for any table!
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Have you ever had that dish that makes you go, “I seriously don’t know what it is about this dish, but I want to have it for the rest of my life?” Kashke bademjan is that dish for many people out there. You might have had it at a friend’s home, or at a Persian restaurant, or probably at a potluck. I’m sure that if you’ve had it, you’ve most definitely loved it, and have thought of making it yourself, so here is a full guide and step by step recipe to make this delicious Persian appetizer.
Eggplant is a common ingredient in Persian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines and is used in a variety of recipes such as this Middle Eastern eggplant recipe, Persian eggplant soup, eggplant sumac meatballs, Mast o Khiar (Persian Yogurt and Cucumber Dip), Manakish Zaatar) or stuffed eggplants with lamb and walnuts and Greek Eggplant Moussaka. One of my all time favorite ways to use eggplant is in the Kashke Bademjan recipe which we are going to talk about today.
What is Kashke Bademjan?
Kashke bademjan, also called kashko bademjan, is the Persian name of a Persian eggplant dip. Kashk means yogurt whey, a dairy product made of drained yogurt which has a salty and tangy flavor, and Bademjan means eggplant. This dish is basically made of the combination of these two ingredients. This Persian eggplant dip is usually served as an appetizer though I can totally have it as a main dish. Kashke bademjan is usually served with bread like lavash, pita or naan. You can also serve it with baguette or sourdough, whatever you fancy.
Yogurt whey or kashk comes in dry or liquid form. The dry form can be round, strings or powder and can be kept in a cool, dry place. To use prepare dry kashk to use, place some in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Wait for some minutes and then stir until it’s dissolved in water. The liquid form on the other hand should be kept in the fridge and can be used directly in a recipe. I personally prefer dry kashk as it makes it easier to adjust its flavor and consistency. You can find kashk in Persian/Middle Eastern shops (usually in the refrigerator) or here (affiliate link).
How to make Kashke Bademajn
This Persian eggplant dip can be made in many different ways. The very basic kashk bademjan recipe calls for eggplants, onion, garlic and kashk. The first and more traditional method of making kashke bademjan is to fry the eggplants, onion and garlic separately until they’re golden brown. Then, mash the eggplants really well and mix with onion and garlic and kashk. Pretty easy and simple but this method calls for more oil as eggplants absorb fat so much.
To minimize the use of oil, you can either bake the eggplants and proceed with the recipe, or you can use a stove top method as follows. Start with browning the peeled and halved eggplants in a pan, transfer them to a plate, and, in the same pan, saute some onion and garlic. Put the eggplants back in the pan and add turmeric and black pepper. Stir and mix well. Add in some water, then cover and cook for about ten to fifteen minutes until the eggplants are fully cooked. Mash the eggplants and onion mixture well.
Next, add the kashk, bloomed saffron and some dried mint to the dish, stir well and cook over medium heat for about five to ten minutes. This would help the flavors combine better.
At this point, kashke bademjoon is ready to serve. I always like to go ahead and add some sauteed dried mint on top with some extra kashk and chopped walnuts for extra crunch and texture. You can also add some more caramelized onion on the top.
What makes Kashke Bademjan different than other eggplant dip recipes?
Kashke bademjan is served warm or at room temperature whereas most eggplant dips are served cold. This particular eggplant dip recipe lists eggplants as the main ingredient and uses kashk (yogurt whey) to add more flavor to the dish. This eggplant dip makes a great appetizer for family gatherings or dinner parties.
Notes and tips to make Kashke Bademjan:
- If you cannot find kashk or are not a fan of it, you can simply use sour cream, European or Greek yogurt instead.
- If you would like to freeze kashke bademjan, freeze the mixture before adding the kashk, sour cream or yogurt. Once you’re ready to eat, thaw kashke bademjan, mix it with kashk and heat in a pan.
- You can use any type of eggplant for this recipe as long as they’re not seedy. I prefer using Chinese eggplants but Italian, graffiti or regular globe eggplants work as well. Make sure to peel the eggplants.
- Using dried mint is very much advised in this recipe. You can find dried mint in big supermarkets or middle eastern/Persian shops.
More Dip Recipes:
- Muhammara Roasted Red Peppers and Walnut Dip
- Mirza Ghasemi Persian Eggplants and Tomatoes
- Baba Ganoush Recipe
- Borani Esfenaj The Best Persian Spinach Yogurt Dip
Kashke Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Dip)
Kashke Bademjan is a simple Persian eggplant dip that is made with a handful of ingredients. This tasty vegetarian dip is full of amazing flavors and is the perfect appetizer for any table!
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Olive Oil
- 4 Chinese Eggplants See Note #1
- 1 large Onion Sliced
- 4 cloves Garlic Minced
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/4 cup Water See Note #2
- 3/4 cup Liquid Kashk See Note #3
- 1 tbsp Bloomed Saffron See Note #4
- 2 tbsp Dried Mint See Note #5
Instructions
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Peel the eggplants and cut them in halves lengthwise, then cut each into half width-wise.
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Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a pan, once hot, place the eggplants in the pan and sear on both sides until golden brown. The eggplants are not supposed to cook all the way through.
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Take the eggplants out of the pan and place them in a plate. In the same pan, pour two tablespoons olive oil and saute the onion until golden brown and soft.
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Add in the garlic and give it a nice stir.
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Add in the browned eggplants, turmeric and black pepper. Mix and add the water. Cover and cook for ten to fifteen minutes until the eggplants are cooked through.
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Once the eggplants are cooked, turn the heat off and mash the eggplants using a potato masher or an immersion blender.
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Add kashk, one tablespoon dried mint and bloomed saffron to the eggplant mixture and stir well. Turn the heat on to medium and cook for another five to eight minutes.
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Serve warm with pita, lavash or naan bread.
Topping:
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Heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a pan and sear one tbsp dried mint for thirty seconds.
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Top kashke bademjan with more kashk (yogurt whey), walnuts, seared dried mint and caramelized onion and garlic.
Recipe Notes
- You can use any other type of eggplants such as Italian, graffiti or regular globe eggplants. You'll need about 1-1.5 lb eggplants.
- If the eggplants are not cooked completely, add more water, start with three to four tablespoons.
- You can find liquid kashk (yogurt whey) in Persian/Middle Eastern shops. If you find dry kashk, mix 1/2 cup dry kashk with 1/2 cup boiling water and let it sit for some minutes, Then mix so it dissolves. The consistency should be of ketchup. If it's too thick, add more water.
- To see how to bloom saffron, click here.
- You can find dried mint at Persian/Middle Easter shops or here (affiliate).
Have you made this recipe? Let us know by commenting and rating on this recipe. Take a picture and tag @unicornsinthekitchen and #unicornsinthekitchen for a chance to be featured!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
I’ve never heard of kashk before, which is probably why some middle eastern dishes seem so exotic to me… I see you mention yogurt though — so that’s completely do-able. I want to try this.
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hope you enjoy it!
JuPo Art
My friend/boss is Iranian. He’s always killing me with these DELICIOUS foods that his mother makes for him, because I’m always on a diet lol. . He brought this in one day and I was hooked!!!! I am so glad i stumbled upon ur site!!! Thanks for the great recipes!!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you! I hope you try it and like it! 🙂
Beth
This dip sounds so delicious! Especially with the saffron! It is such a glorious flavor! I love eggplant! I’m definitely giving this a try!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you Beth! I hope you give this a try and enjoy!
Danielle
This looks divine! I’m so attracted to Persian and middle eastern flavors – the ingredients are usually so simple, but the flavors are so bold! I usually reach for baba ganoush, but I must give this dip a try. It’ll be perfect for grilling and picnic season.
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you Danielle! It’s a very easy one! Perfect for summer!
Edyta at Innocent Delight
Wow, this recipe really sounds fantastic. I will definitely try it if I find all the ingredients. But in the meantime I may try to make it with Greek yogurt. I love eggplant so much that actually I cannot stop thinking about this dip now…
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hi Edyta! I hope you try this recipe! Greek yogurt will work just fine! <3
Sara
I am a huge fan of eggplant so I know I’m going to love this dip. I can’t wait to make it for my next family gathering!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
I hope you try and enjoy this!
Danielle
I am so intrigued by this. It sounds absolutely amazing! I must learn more about persian flavors!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hope you try and enjoy this dish! <3
Billy
This looks so delicious! I love eggplant dip, but I haven’t made this particular type before. Can’t wait to try making this one at home. Thank you so much for sharing!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hope you try this recipe and enjoy it!
Zeina
I am planning I use sour cream . What’s the measurement ? Thanks
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
You can use 1/2 cup sour cream with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tbsp white vinegar.
Mary
Nice recipe! Were we supposed to add salt though?
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hi Mary! The yogurt whey (kashk) itself is salty but taste at the very end and add salt if needed 🙂
Hanieh
Although amazing one small issue is that you don’t have any salt in it and maybe it’s bc your recipe is with kashk but I used yogurt and it needed a lot of salt. Otherwise excellent!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hi Hanie, Thank you for your comment. That’s right, I don’t add salt because Kashk itself is pretty salty. Moreover, the addition of salt depends on the liking of each person. I’m glad you like this recipe!
Camille
My significant person ordered this for me knowing that I am not a fan of eggplant but knows I love cooking and trying new food. I tasted it and practically inhaled it along with the sangak at the table. I promptly made him take me to his Persian market around the corner and bought the ingredients based on this recipe I pulled up on my phone. Thank you! Can’t wait to make it this weekend!
I was going to use Greek yogurt but found Khask and have a question on eggplant – there were three varieties in the store. Indian, Chinese and regular. Is there any difference? Thanks –
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hi Camille! Happy to hear you are a Kashke Bademjan fan! Yes, you can use either Chinese or regular. Just make sure they’re fresh and are not seedy. Let me know how it turns out!