Sabich Sandwich
A popular Israeli street food sandwich, traditionally eaten on Yom Kippur. It features fried eggplant, hard-boiled eggs, tahini, amba (mango pickle sauce), and fresh herbs, all stuffed into a pita.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 medium Large eggplants(sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds)
- 2 cups Vegetable oil(for frying)
- 4 large Pita bread
- 4 large Hard-boiled eggs(peeled and sliced)
- 1/2 cup Tahini(for sauce)
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice(for tahini sauce)
- 1 clove Garlic(minced, for tahini sauce)
- 2-4 tbsp Water(to thin tahini sauce)
- 1/4 cup Amba sauce(store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the eggplant: Salt the eggplant slices and let them sit for about 15-20 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 2
Fry the eggplant: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Fry eggplant slices in batches until golden brown and tender. Drain on paper towels.
⏱️ 15 minutes💡 Tip: Ensure oil is hot enough to prevent greasy eggplant. - 3
Prepare the tahini sauce: Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add water, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a pourable consistency.
💡 Tip: The sauce should be smooth and creamy, not too thick or too thin. - 4
Warm the pita bread: Lightly toast or warm the pita bread until pliable.
💡 Tip: You can warm them in a dry skillet, oven, or microwave. - 5
Assemble the sandwiches: Carefully open each pita pocket. Layer with fried eggplant slices, followed by sliced hard-boiled eggs.
💡 Tip: Don't overstuff the pita, or it will be difficult to eat. - 6
Drizzle generously with tahini sauce and amba sauce. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
💡 Tip: Amba sauce is key for the distinctive flavor; adjust to your spice preference. - 7
Serve immediately.
💡 Tip: Sabich is best enjoyed fresh.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Salting and drying the eggplant is crucial to prevent it from absorbing too much oil.
- ✓Amba sauce can be quite potent; start with a smaller amount and add more if desired.
- ✓For a vegetarian option, omit the eggs. For a vegan option, omit the eggs and ensure your amba sauce is vegan.
🔄 Variations
- Add chopped Israeli salad (cucumber, tomato, onion) for extra freshness.
- Include a layer of hummus for added creaminess.
- Some variations include pickled turnips or other pickled vegetables.