Why it works: Cumin and coriander match in chemistry and in kitchens. They rank in the top 1% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 3,866 recipes. Both carry beta-phellandrene, which smells minty, terpene. The science ↓
Eggplant-Hummus Dip or Spread
Ingredients
Directions
Roast the eggplant
Roast the eggplant at 375°F for 45 minutes, stabbing it a few times with a fork first.
Take it out and let it cool.
Chop the eggplant a bit so it cools faster.
Remove the peel from the eggplant.
Blend the dip
Toss the eggplant, along with the other ingredients, into a food processor.
Process until the consistency is smooth.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
Counts 8 of 9 ingredients. The other 1 aren't in our nutrition table and add nothing above, so the real totals are higher.
What these numbers assume: 8 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Chickpea | 1/2 cup canned (120g) drained | 134 |
| Eggplant | 1 cup cubed (82g) | 35 |
| Cumin | 1 tsp ground (2.1g) | 8 |
| Cayenne | 1 tsp (1.8g) | 6 |
| Black Pepper | 1 tsp ground (2.3g) | 6 |
| Garlic | 1 clove (3g) | 4 |
| Parsley | 1 tbsp chopped fresh (3.8g) | 1 |
| Salt | 1 tsp (6g) | 0 |
| Coriander | not in our table | 0 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
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Cumin + coriandertop 1% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together3,866 recipes
Shared aroma: beta-phellandrene (minty, terpene).
-
Chickpea + cumintop 1% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together473 recipes
Shared aroma: linalool (floral, citrus).
-
Eggplant + chickpeatop 1% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together20 recipes
Shared aroma: coumarin (sweet, hay).
-
Chickpea + coriandertop 1% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together451 recipes
Shared aroma: linalool (floral, citrus).
-
Garlic + cumintop 1% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together5,082 recipes
Shared aroma: beta-phellandrene (minty, terpene).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Eggplant
- Provides the soft, creamy body and moisture that make up most of the dip.
- Chickpeas
- Supply starch and protein that give the dip its thick, smooth, spreadable texture.
- Garlic cloves
- Add sharp, pungent aroma that mellows and deepens as the dip sits.
- Parsley
- Adds fresh, green flavour and aroma that lightens the richness of the eggplant.
The step that matters
Process until smooth. Chickpeas and cooked eggplant need thorough processing to break down their cell walls and starches; stopping early leaves a grainy, pasty texture instead of a silky dip.
Swap the clove
How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (eggplant, chickpea, garlic, cumin, coriander, pepper, parsley):
- Turmericfits better
- Oreganofits better
- Thymefits better
- Clovethe original
Fit is the average pairing score against eggplant, chickpea, garlic, cumin, coriander, pepper, parsley. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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