Roasted Eggplant and Walnut Dip Recipe
Charred eggplant, toasted walnuts, bright herbs, and sweet honey combine in an addictive dip that’s as versatile as hummus.
This recipe was featured as part of our Bring Happy Hour Home menu.
- 1 medium eggplant, halved lengthwise
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 medium garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 cup raw walnuts, toasted
- 1/3 cup fresh Italian parsley, coarsely chopped
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Heat the oven to 425°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
- Brush the cut side of the eggplant halves with olive oil and place them cut side down on a baking sheet. Place garlic on a piece of aluminum foil and pour remaining olive oil over top, fold up the foil to enclose, and put on the baking sheet with the eggplant. Roast until eggplant skin remains indented when pressed on and the cut side of the eggplant is browned, about 35 minutes.
- Set eggplant and garlic aside to cool, about 20 minutes.
- Using a food processor fitted with a blade attachment, chop walnuts until they are reduced to the size of peppercorns, about 25 pulses. Add parsley and roasted garlic and pulse until parsley is evenly minced, about 10 pulses.
- Scoop eggplant flesh from skin and add to the food processor along with lemon juice and honey. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. Serve with toasts or crackers.

Mmmm not entirely sure on this one... After seasoning it with a fair whack of salt, all i could taste was honey! Maybe just add the honey gradually? You'll definitely need plenty of salt too. Ah well, will keep searching for the perfect eggplant dip!
This was fantastic! I will be making this again for sure.
Try it with a splash of red wine vinegar! (or apple cider vinegar)
So so so so good. So simple and delicious. I sprinkled paprika on the top to give it some color. Served it at book club, everybody wanted the recipe and I licked the bowl when they left.
Looks great. Making it today!
I think a neighbor of mine makes this, calling it 'mock liver'...
Pretty much baba ghanoush, substituting walnuts for the tahini. Very interesting. Bookmarked!
As delicious as it is ugly!
oh wow a professor (of Lebanese descent I believe) had an end-of-the semester thing for the class a million years ago and after 18 years of growing up on bland, I inhaled it.
go wild with the lemon.