Salatat Aswad Mahrousa (سلطة اسود مهروسة)

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• Prep time: 15 minutes

• Cook time: 20 minutes

• Total time: 35 minutes

• Servings: 4–6 servings

Origin-Sudan

Description

Salatat Aswad Mahrousa translates directly to "mashed eggplant salad"—a smoky, creamy, and deeply savory Sudanese aubergine dip. While heavily inspired by Eastern Mediterranean classics like baba ganoush and mutabbal, this dish became uniquely Sudanese when locals adapted it using native staples, swapping or combining traditional ingredients with lime juice and rich sesame paste or peanut butter.

Presentation & How It's Eaten

The dish features charred eggplant mashed to a textured consistency and folded into a bright, tangy dressing made of garlic, yogurt, and tahini. It is traditionally served chilled or at room temperature as an appetizer or side dish. It is presented on a shallow plate, heavily drizzled with aromatic virgin sesame oil, and scooped up using fresh flatbread like baladi bread.

Ingredients

• 3 medium aubergines (approx. 750g)

• ½ tbsp table salt (plus more to taste)

• 1 tbsp sesame seed paste (tahini) or smooth peanut butter

• 50ml water (to smooth out the paste)

• 1 lime, juiced

• 2 tsp malt vinegar

• 1 tbsp thick yogurt

• 1 garlic clove, pressed

• 1 tsp ground black pepper

• Garnish: 10g chopped fresh parsley

• Garnish: 2 to 3 tbsp virgin sesame oil

  
  

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prep the Eggplants: Use a toothpick to pierce the surface of the aubergines all over, piercing about 1 inch deep to allow steam to escape.

2. Char the Eggplants (Choose one method):

   • Charcoal Grill Method: Light coals over a grill and fan them until hot. Cook the aubergines directly over the coals, rotating every 2 to 3 minutes, for 15 to 20 minutes total until they deflate slightly and the skin is charred all over.

   • Stove-top Method: Place one aubergine at a time directly over a medium open gas stove flame. Rotate every 2 to 3 minutes, cooking for 15 to 20 minutes until deflated and charred.

3. Peel and Mash: Run the hot aubergines under cold tap water for 10 to 12 seconds to trap steam under the skin. Gently peel away the charred skin. Slice the aubergines lengthwise and scrape out/discard any large clusters of bitter seeds from the center.

4. Season the Base: Transfer the tender flesh to a bowl and use a potato masher or fork to mash it into a lumpy, rustic consistency. Stir in the ½ tablespoon of salt.

5. Whip the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, vigorously mix the sesame seed paste (or peanut butter) with the water, lime juice, vinegar, thick yogurt, and pressed garlic. Season with a pinch of salt and the black pepper.

6. Combine and Serve: Fold the mashed aubergine into the dressing until thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust with extra salt or lime if desired. Spread into a serving bowl, garnish with chopped parsley, and pool the virgin sesame oil over the top.

Optional

• Oven Roasting: If you don't have an open flame, coat the whole pierced aubergines lightly with oil and roast them in an oven at 220°C for 20 to 25 minutes, turning every 5 minutes until completely softened.

• Deep-Fried Version: For a richer flavor profile, peel and cube the aubergine first, deep-fry the cubes until golden brown, and then proceed with the mashing and dressing steps. Alternatively, boil the cubes to make a completely oil-free version.

• Sudanese Peanut Twist: Use an equal amount of smooth peanut butter instead of the sesame paste to create a classic variation of the dip.

• Spicy Garnish: Stir in or top with 1 finely chopped spring onion and/or a minced green chili for an added crunch and kick.

  
  

Cooking Tips

• Size Dictates the Dish: When buying aubergines for Sudanese cooking, remember that small ones are ideal for making mahshi (stuffed vegetables), medium-sized ones are best for grilling/barbecuing (like this recipe), and large ones are best suited for deep-frying in dishes like musaga’a (Sudanese moussaka).

• The Water Trick: Don't leave the aubergines under the cold water too long—just a quick 10-second rinse is enough to loosen the skin without washing away the delicious smoky flavor.

  
  

Nutrition Facts

(Estimated per serving, based on a 4-serving breakdown incorporating the sesame oil garnish)

• Calories: ~145 kcal

• Total Fat: 11g

  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g

• Cholesterol: 0mg

• Sodium: 295mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 11g

  • Dietary Fiber: 6g

  • Sugars: 4g

• Protein: 3g