Turkish Red Pepper And Walnut Dip Muhammara Recipes

ROASTED RED PEPPER AND WALNUT DIP (MUHUMMARA)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Roast the red peppers. Place each bell pepper over the open flame of a gas burner or grill, cooking until the skin blackens and blisters. Rotate the peppers and blacken all the way around, about 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can roast the peppers in the oven by placing the bell peppers on a baking sheet and placing under the broiler, turning frequently, until the peppers are blackened and blistered all over. Put the blackened peppers in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside to steam.
• Toast the walnuts. Spread the walnuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop into the oven until light golden brown and aromatic, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
• Peel the red peppers using a paring knife. Discard the peels, stem and seeds. Throw the roasted red peppers, walnuts, garlic, paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses and olive oil into a food processor with a teaspoon of salt, and run until the dip is smooth. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly. Cool and serve.

MUHAMMARA (RED PEPPER AND WALNUT SPREAD)

Steps:

• Combine pepper, scallions, lemon juice, cumin, salt, 2 teaspoons pomegranate molasses, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 4 tablespoons olive oil and all but 2 of the walnuts in a food processor and purée until mostly smooth.
• Add 4 tablespoons bread crumbs and pulse to combine. If mixture is still too loose to hold its shape, add remaining bread crumbs and pulse again. Season to taste with salt and red pepper flakes.
• Scrape spread into a bowl and make a well in the center with the back of a spoon. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes in the well. Crush the reserved walnuts between your fingers and sprinkle over the top.

MUHAMMARA (RED PEPPER & WALNUT DIP)

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 8. Roast the peppers for 25-30 mins, turning halfway, until tender and starting to blister (if they don't blister, grill them for a few minutes). Cool a bit, then peel and discard the skins. Discard the seeds and finely chop the flesh. Toast the walnuts for 5 mins until lightly browned.
• Grind all but four of the walnut halves in a spice grinder until they are quite fine but still have some texture. Mix the ground walnuts with the peppers, then add the molasses, spices, tomato paste, garlic, breadcrumbs and sea salt, mix well and season.
• Serve the muhammara on a small plate, drizzling with some olive oil. Add the whole walnuts to the centre and some coriander around the edge.