๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท Iran ยท Food

Kashke Bademjan (Eggplant Dip with Whey)

โฑ 75 min
A great way to spend your free time
๐Ÿ”ฅ 380 kcal
Nicely balanced
๐Ÿฝ 6 servings
Feeds a crowd

By eatmundo ยท August 4, 2026

Kashke Bademjan (Eggplant Dip with Whey)๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท IR

A rich, creamy eggplant appetizer topped with caramelized onions, garlic, and dried mint. This iconic Persian dip is known for its deep, savory flavor profile.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  • 1

    Peel 4 eggplants, slice them into thick strips, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 20 minutes to draw out bitterness.

  • 2

    Pat the eggplants dry and fry them in 3 tbsp olive oil until golden and soft, then mash them coarsely with a fork.

  • 3

    In a separate small pan, fry 2 thinly sliced onions in 2 tbsp oil until caramelized and crispy brown.

  • 4

    Add 6 cloves of minced garlic to the onions and fry for 1 minute until aromatic, then stir in 1 tsp turmeric.

  • 5

    Add the mashed eggplant to the onion-garlic mixture and cook together over medium heat for 5 minutes.

  • 6

    Stir in 200g of kashk (fermented whey) and 50ml of warm water, folding gently until creamy.

  • 7

    Top the dish with dried mint, extra caramelized onion, and chopped walnuts for texture.

  • 8

    Serve warm with fresh flatbread, ensuring the flavor of the mint and garlic shines through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot find Kashk?+

You can substitute kashk with thick Greek yogurt mixed with a little extra salt and a hint of lemon juice.

Is it better cold or warm?+

Traditionally, it is served warm, which helps the flavors of the garlic and mint blend together beautifully.

Can I bake the eggplant instead of frying?+

Yes, roasting the eggplants in the oven until soft is a healthier alternative that still yields great texture.

How to avoid bitterness in eggplant?+

Salting the slices and letting them sweat for 20 minutes before frying is key to removing natural bitter compounds.

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