Description
Roasted red pepper and walnut muhammara delights with complex Middle Eastern flavors. Spicy, tangy spread pairs perfectly with warm pita or fresh vegetables for an irresistible appetizer you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 red bell peppers (1 lb / 454 g), or 1.5 cups jarred roasted red peppers, drained
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) pomegranate molasses, plus extra for serving
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 0.5 cup (60 g) fresh breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup (60 g) walnuts
- 0.5 juice from small lemon
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes
- 0.5 tsp kosher salt
- 0.25 tsp ground cumin
- 0.25 tsp granulated sugar
Instructions
- Roasting Peppers: Char red bell peppers over an open gas flame or broiler, rotating to achieve an even, completely blackened exterior with blistered skin.
- Steaming and Peeling: Seal charred peppers in a container for 10-15 minutes, then delicately remove blackened skin and strip into thin, rustic pieces after discarding seeds and membranes.
- Walnut Preparation: Toast walnuts in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8-10 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even golden coloration, then coarsely chop half for garnishing and reserve.
- Blending Mixture: Combine roasted pepper strips, garlic, lemon juice, breadcrumbs, olive oil, pomegranate molasses, Aleppo pepper, salt, cumin, and sugar in a food processor, pulsing to create a textured, harmonious blend.
- Serving: Transfer the muhammara to a serving bowl, embellish with an extra drizzle of pomegranate molasses, and crown with the reserved toasted walnut pieces for a sophisticated finishing touch.
Notes
- Pepper Charring Technique: Completely blacken and blister peppers over direct flame, rotating frequently to ensure even charring for maximum smoky flavor.
- Steaming Trick: Seal charred peppers in a container for 10-15 minutes to naturally loosen skin, making peeling effortless and preventing burnt fingers.
- Walnut Toasting Wisdom: Carefully toast walnuts at 350°F, stirring midway to develop rich, nutty notes without burning, which intensifies overall recipe depth.
- Texture Mastery: Pulse ingredients to achieve a slightly coarse, rustic consistency—avoid over-processing to maintain the dip’s authentic Middle Eastern character.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 206
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 72 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg