Baba Ghanoush or Baba-Ganouj (Arabic بابا غنوج), babaganuş, eggplant salad (Turkish), melitzanosalata (Greek μελιτζανοσαλάτα), baklazhannaya ikra (Russian баклажанная икра, literally "eggplant caviar") or simply "eggplant salad" or "aubergine salad" is a family of popular Middle Eastern dishes made primarily of eggplant (aubergine). It is made of aubergine, mashed, and mixed with various seasonings. Frequently the eggplant is baked or broiled over an open flame before peeling, so that the pulp is soft and has a smoky taste .