Kashke Bademjan is one of the most popular Persian appetizers. Bademjan is eggplant in Farsi, and kashk is a yogurt product that traditionally is made through a long process from very firm strained yogurt. The final product is either formed into balls, or pressed through a large holed sieve into strips, and dried. When dried kashk is used in a recipe it has to be soaked in small amount of warm water and dissolved gradually to produce a light tan-colored, thick creamy liquid. Kash is also available in most Middle Eastern markets in liquid form. Kashke Bademjan has found its way to almost every Persian restaurant in the U.S. This appetizer can be eaten warm or at room temperature with toasted pita wedges, flat bread, or baguettes. Just like most recipes there are many different versions of Kashke Bademjan. For one thing it is usually made with kashk that has a very acquired taste that I have not acquired yet! I prefer to use non-fat Greek yogurt instead. However yogurt can easily be substituted with kashk or sour cream. There are also recipes that don’t include walnut, but I use it because I love to load my recipes with as much nutrition as possible. Besides, ground walnuts add creaminess and substance to this amazing dip.
I have used Chinese eggplant for this recipe because it has hardly any seeds and has a smooth texture when cooked. (Please refer to my How-To page for the photo guide to different types of eggplants). I have also used Italian eggplant in the past and that works fine too.
Quick fry the eggplants to a golden brown over medium high heat. Add minced garlic and spices.
Add very little water, cover the skillet and cook over low heat until the eggplant is very tender.
Mash the cooked eggplant to very small pieces with a potato masher or a fork.
Process the walnuts until very fine, but watch it closely and stop the food processor before it turns to paste.
Fry the diced onion to a golden brown. Remove from heat and add crushed dried mint leaves. Combine with ground walnuts and yogurt. Transfer to the serving bowl and add garnish. Serve Kashke Bademjan warm or at room temperature with toasted flat bread.
- 3 medium Chinese or Italian eggplants, peeled
- 4 TBSP vegetable oil
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- ½ cup water
- ⅓-1/2 tsp kosher salt
- ⅛ tsp freshly cracked pepper
- 1/16 tsp cayenne pepper powder
- ⅓ cup walnuts
- 1 large yellow onion, peeled and diced medium
- 3 TBSP vegetable oil
- 2 tsp crushed dried mint leaves
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- A few fresh mint leaves add a nice touch as garnish (optional)
- Cut the peeled eggplants in half or quarters lengthwise.
- Heat 4 TBSP vegetable oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium high. Arrange the eggplants in a single layer in the skillet. Cover the skillet and fry the eggplants for about 7 minutes, or until golden brown on one side. Flip over the eggplants, cover again and fry the other side for another 5-7 minutes, or until the eggplants can easily be poked with a fork. Don’t leave the eggplants unattended. The high heat will burn them very quickly.
- Meanwhile in another skillet heat 3 TBSP oil over medium heat and fry the diced onion until golden brown.
- Try this easy method for mincing the garlic: With the food processor running, drop the garlic through the feed chute and process for a few seconds, or until uniformly minced.
- Add the minced garlic, water, kosher salt, cayenne pepper powder, and freshly cracked black pepper to the skillet with the fried eggplants. Cover and cook over low heat for about 15 minutes, or until the eggplants are very tender and all the water is cooked off. Turn the heat off and mash the eggplants with a fork or a potato masher to small pieces.
- In the same food processor add ⅓ cup walnuts and process until very fine, about 1 minute. Do not over process, walnuts are soft and tend to turn to a paste very quickly.
- Once the fried onions are golden brown remove the skillet from the heat and add 2 tsp crushed dried mint leaves. Stir to combine and set aside. Reserve 3 TBSP fried onion and mint mixture for garnish.
- Add the rest of the onion mixture along with the processed walnuts to the mashed eggplants. Give it a good stir to blend well.
- Stir in ¾ cup Greek yogurt to the eggplant mixture until uniformly blended.
- Transfer the eggplant mixture to the serving bowl. Sprinkle the top with the reserved fried onion and mint mixture. Add optional fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Serve warm or at room temperature with toasted flat bread or French Baguettes.
Greetings from Cyprus! We have been looking for this recipe for a long time. The first one we tried from another website wasn’t good but this one here was a brilliant success! Tried with kashke and it was lovely! Thank you mama! 🙂
You’re so welcome Stelios, lovely to hear from you all the way from Cyprus! I’m very glad you liked the recipe and thanks for letting me know!
Hello, I am so eager to try this recipe. My mother never taught me how to make this and it is my all time favorite side dish 🙂 I have a question though, Do you use any turmeric or saffron for it? IF so, at which point do you add it in? Thank you.
Hi Mahsa I’m glad you are going to try this recipe and it has had very good reviews, so I hope you will like it. There is no turmeric or saffron in this recipe. I would love to hear back from you after you make this recipe. Thank you so much for visiting my blog!
Im SO SO excited I found this recipe!! I love Persian food!
Cant wait to try! Thank you!
Dear Lia, it is wonderful of you to visit and comment. I’m happy you have found a recipe that you like and hope you try it and let me know what you think. Enjoy it!
Salam Homa,
What a great website you have and I am so happy that I found it! Can not wait to try this recipe along with many of my other Persian favorites! I shared your website with my own mama and we will come back regularly to check up on (new) other recipes! Thank you so much and keep up the great work!!
All the way from Amsterdam, Holland:
Khodahafez!
Hello Amy, hello Amsterdam! Thank you, you’re so kind. I welcome you and your dear mama to my blog of Persian food. I hope you try many recipes and love them all, nothing would please me more.
Khodahafez,
Hello Mama Homa Jan <3. I myself am not from Iran but my mother married into a Persian family when I was 3 so I pretty much have lived and tasted what I think is the best food ever! I cannot wait to try this recipe as they have it at my favorite restaurant here in Southern California called Darya. I'm so glad I found your Persian dishes website Mama! Thanks again! khodahafez! ~Amber Khanoom
Hi Amber Khanoom joon, I welcome you to my blog! Your lovely comment made me smile. How nice to hear that you’re going to try the recipe. I hope you let me know what you think. My husband is a fan of Darya restaurant, I’m looking forward to trying it next time I visit California. Khoda Negahdar 🙂
Thank you for this recipe! My wife and I had dinner at a Persian restaurant last night and fell in love with this dish. So, of course, I had to make it myself as soon as we got home.
I followed your recipe very closely except for a few changes, which I liked but may not be very authentic. I toasted the walnuts before grinding them to deepen their flavor. I also replaced half the oil I used with butter, also for a nutty taste. I also stirred in about 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika.
We both enjoyed our recreation even more than what we had in the restaurant.
So, again, thank you very much!! This will go in my repertoire. 🙂
Dear Chip I admire your dedication to cooking :). I also love the creative changes that you’ve made to my recipe. I believe delicious recipes are created every day by great cooks who know what they like and make changes to their favorite recipes. I thank you for following my blog and your comment.
Dear Homa. I was in Iran this June and I tried to make kashke bedemjan like that one in a restaurant in abiyaneh – I succeeded with your tips. Thanks also for all the other appetizingly looking recipes. Greetings from Switzerland!
Hello Dear Linda from lovely Switzerland! Thank you so much for the comment. I hope you had a wonderful time in Iran. Glad to hear that my recipe helped you recreate the Kashke bademjan that you liked.
I am so happy you have this site, the last time I had this dip was in Shiraz, when I was 10 years old, we were living in Arabia at the time, and my mom thought this was some kind of country rough hummus. Trying to replicate it at home we made some awesome stuff, but not this! I can’t wait to share this with her, and make it myself. Is there a rough mashed hummus? Please keep on posting, thanks!
Dear Kitsunezan, I loved reading your comment, thank you so much! It is so wonderful that you want to share my Kashke Bademjoon recipe with your lovely mom, hope she will enjoy it.
About the rough mashed hummus, I have had the kind of hummus that some of the garbanzo beans were left unmashed, using a shorter processing time, or just stirring in some cooked garbanzo beans after making the hummus. Both of these methods would give the hummus a rougher texture and that is also very good.
Hi,
Thanks for this. Actually my wife is Iranian and she can make this, but I wanted to surprise her by doing it myself!
Rob
Hello Rob, you’re so welcome. What a wonderful surprise this will be for your wife. Thank you for the comment and Enjoy it!
سلام
خیلی ممنون بابت این دستور تهیه ی کشک بادمجون با جزییات.
من دو روز دیگه باید برای یه مهمونی که به مناسبت کریسمسه کشک بادمجون درست کنم و ببرم. اینجا بادمجون ایتالیایی یا چینی پیدا نکردم و مجبور شدم از همون بادمجون امریکاییهای تپل و بزرگ بخرم. خیلی میترسم نکنه با اینا خوب در نیاد. ولی سوالی که دارم اینه:
نعناع تازه خریدم. حالا نمیدونم میشه همینجوری تازه خوردش کنم و تفت بدم و بریزم روی کشک بادمجون یا حتما باید خشک باشه؟ کدوم بهتره؟ تازه باشه عطرش بیشتر نیست؟ اگه خشک بهتره، دو روزه خشک میشه؟
ممنون میشم زودتر جواب بدید بهم!
تشکر مجدد از سایت خوبتون
سلام الی جون، ممنون از لطفت عزیزم. من همیشه از نعناع خشک استفاده کردم و فکر میکنم برای این منظور بهتره. برای خشک کردن فوری، نعناهارو بشورین و با حولد کاغذی ابشو خوب بگیرین. بعد سه چهار ساعت در فضای اتاق روی حوله خشک پهن کنید. بعد روی دیس بزرگ آون پهن کنید. آون رو به درجه 200 فارنهایت برسانید و خاموش کنید و بعد دیس نعناع رو که شاخه های بزرگشو جدا کرده این داخل آون گرم خاموش قرار دهین. بذارین همونجا کاملا خنک بشه. در بیارن .اگه بلافاصله پودر نشه کمی هم در فضای اتاق بذارین . امیدوارم این کمک بکنه. خوشحال میشم بهم نتیجه رو خبر بدی
در ضمن نعناع خشک در قسمت ادویه اکثر سوپرمارکتهای بزرگ هست
I love kashke bademjan and was wondering if this can be made with baked eggplants, rather than fried eggplants. In fact, I just used your baked eggplant technique for a khoresht bademjan, and it worked so much better than frying. I find that frying eggplants is hard because they soak up the oil and burn quickly. Merci!
Dear Francesca, I am very happy that the baked eggplant method is working for you! I use the baking method regularly, in fact I have used it for this recipe https://persianmama.com/eggplant-yogurt-with-toasted-walnuts-borani-bademjan/ which is eggplants simmered in a tomato garlic sauce. I believe the baking method will work for the Kashke Bademjan also but the texture might be a little less smooth. Please let me know how it turns out. Thank you so much for your comment!
I’m not able to eat walnuts, can I omit them and still enjoy tge authenticity of the recipe? Is there a nut substitute????
Hi Elaine, You may leave the walnuts out and the recipe will still taste wonderful. Make sure most of the liquid is cooked off before you mash the eggplants, and add a little bit more fried onions. Also use a firm yogurt for a thicker and richer consistency. Enjoy your kashke bademjan!
We just returned from a trip to Iran, and I was looking for this recipe because we enjoyed it so much there. Thank you.
Hello Mieke, you’re welcome! I am very happy to hear that. I would love to hear all about it once you try the recipe.
I have no words to express the satisfaction and joy I felt when the guests at my party judged the kashke badhemjan .they left licking their fingers and said they will come back for more.
Thank u Homa joon.
Fahimeh jan, that is a wonderful feeling, and I’m so grateful that you’ve shared it with me. You’re very welcome and thank you for your lovely comment. Wishing you many happy occasions with good food and good times!!
Extremely delicious! Thank you for sharing your recipe Homa.
Isabel, you’re so very welcome! Thanks for the lovely comment.
OMG PersianMama! You have validated my lifelong dislike of kashk & gharaghorut, while I love every other dairy product I have encountered in my life. Thank you – I am totally going to try this with Greek yogurt.
Dear Brisa, I think you’re going to be very pleased with this recipe; it has always been a hit whenever I’ve served it!
Thank you for this recipe! I have made it a few times and my husband and I love it!
Dear Parastoo, thanks for your comment! I’m very happy to hear that you and your husband are enjoying my recipe. Have a great day 🙂
Thank you, great recipe, it was very different than the other recipes I was looking at, with the chinese eggplant and the mint. How long will this be shelf stable in the fridge? Can you freeze this with success? Do you have any other suggestions on other dippers and/or ideas for leftover dip? I had a lot of eggplant and made a large batch but don’t have a party I am going to, I might need to get creative, ha ha!
Hello Terry, I’m glad you like the recipe. It will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. This dip would make a delicious spread in sandwiches with sliced fresh vegetables and cheese. I personally have not frozen it but I think it should be fine. I would recommend slow thawing in the refrigerator and only warming it slightly when you’re ready to use it again. Good luck 🙂
Hi, Homa —
Thank you for your website and the effort you’ve taken to build it. I plan to use it regularly! My wife and I have a dear friend from Iran who made us an eggplant dish that was luscious. Of course, I asked her to describe how she made it and I believe that your recipe fits her description well. However, there was one difference. She talked about rehydrating sheep’s milk and using that in place of the yogurt. (I assume that you use yogurt b/c your audience will find it easier to purchase it.) In addition, the color of her eggplant was slightly purple. Can you comment on the differences?
— Bill
Dear Bill, the ingredient that your Iranian friend was talking about is called ‘kashk’ and it is available in liquid form in jars at most Perisan and Middle Eastern markets. But you’re absolutely right yogurt is more conveniently available. I can’t think of any ingredients in this dish that would make the color of the eggplants purple, unless your friend sprinkled some sumac (https://persianmama.com/all-about-spices-2/) on it. I do appreciate your ongoing support and hope to hear back from you when you try my recipes! Have a great weekend.
Dear Homa,
Thank you for this lovely recipe I cant wait to try it out!
One question, do I need to remove the eggplants off the pan once they’re fried? Or else how would it all fit in the frying pan? I don’t want to burn them.
Thank you
Shahrzad
You’re so welcome dear Shahrzad! The eggplants should be fried in a single layer; so if they don’t fit, you could fry them in a larger skillet or in two batches. However after frying since there is only a little bit of water (1/2 cup) added to the skillet, it is recommended to add all of them to a medium skillet so they cook until tender without drying out or having to add extra water. I hope I have answered your question and enjoy your kashke bademjan!
Because we will visit Iran next April I am interested in the Persian kitchen. So I made this wonderful KASHKE BADEMJAN, our first Persian food. We liked it very much and are looking forward to our journey and the lovely food!
Dear Maria, I hope you will love your visit to Iran and everything that you will experience, including the amazing food. I’m really happy to hear that my kashke bademjan was your first Persian food and that you loved it. Please keep in touch and let me know when you try my other recipes. Happy New Year!
Dear Homs Khanom, thank you for a very well written recipie. In case if I want to serve the kashkeh bademjoon with the bademjoon not mashed, how would I adjust thecrecipie?
Farzad
Dear Farzad, I’ve never made it that way, but I would suggest the following changes: Fry or bake the eggplants (https://persianmama.com/baked-eggplant/) until tender, sprinkle with kosher salt and peppers. Toast the walnuts, cool then chop them into pea size pieces. Thinly slice 2 garlic cloves and saute until barely light golden. Fry the diced onions until golden brown and toss with crushed mint leaves. Mince an extra clove of garlic and whisk until smooth with one of these: plain yogurt, sour cream, or kashk, and refrigerate for an hour.
When ready to serve, place the cooked eggplants on a platter, drizzle the top with garlic yogurt, then garnish with toasted walnuts, golden garlic and onion/mint mixture. Good luck and let me know how you like this version.
Salam homa,
Thank you for this amazing website. It is my go to website for things Iranian. My bf is Iranian. The first time I cooked for him, I surprised him and him fesenjan. I used your recipe and he absolutely loved it. He was very touched and I found to that it’s his fav dish. ? He loves this dip but also the dip, with eggplant, egg and I think there is another ingredient. Sorry I don’t know what it’s called. I am still trying to learn Farsi. do you have a recipe for that version? I am planing on making these for him soon.
look forward to hearing from you.
Khoda hafiz.
Salam Naseera; You’re so welcome and I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying my website! I’m sure your boyfriend appreciates the time that you spend to make him his favorite dishes. I think I know the recipe that you’re talking about, and I will try to post it in the future for you. Thank you for your comment and I think you will discover many delicious recipes here.
Thank you Homa, Let me know when you’ve found it and what it’s called.
I have a question, I am hoping to make this dip over the next couple of days. If I am going to use kashke how much do I need to use for this rceipe? Also do I use kashke and yoghurt? Or it is one or the other? (he likes kashke)
Hi Naseera, I would use one or the other. Start by adding a little at a time and see how you like it. Kashk flavor is pretty strong and it is good to add it to taste. I recommend starting with 1/2 cup and add more if needed.
سلام شما غذا هم واسه فروش داريد؟ منو دوستام ميخوايم چند روز بيايم هلند اكه بشه مرسي
سلام نادر عزیز، من در این سایت فقط دستور غذاهای ایرانی دارم. اگر سوالی در این مورد داشته باشید با کمال میل بهتون جواب میدم. موفق باشین
Thanks great job
Thank you dear Hamidreza, glad you liked it!
This was delicious. Two questions/comments
1. I simmered for 15 minutes with the lid on and it appeared no liquid evaporated. So I cooked another 5-10 minutes without the lid
2. The eggplant was definitely tender, mushy almost. I used a potato masher but the resulting dip was a bit stringy still. What are your thought of pureeing in the food processor?
Hello Susan, thank you for your comment; I’m glad you like this recipe. For your first question, since the size and temperature of the burners are different I would recommend increasing the heat a bit and cooking with the lid on, so the eggplants cook through and the liquid does evaporate. For the second part, I would not recommend pureeing the eggplants, as there should be a visible and detectable texture to this dip, but of course you could give it a try and see which one you like better.