Turkish Muhammara Recipes

MUHAMMARA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the red bell peppers on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and roast for about 35 to 45 minutes.
• Turn the sides of peppers at least once, and roast until they are soft, well cooked and the skin is charred.
• Transfer the roasted bell peppers to a preparation bowl and cover with a cling wrap. Once cooled, peel the skin and remove the seeds.
• Cut the roasted peppers into strips or pieces and place in a food processor. Add the bread crumbs, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, red pepper flakes (if using, see note), cumin and grated garlic.
• Use the pulse option on the food processor and process the ingredients into a slightly coarse but cohesive mixture.
• Next, add finely chopped walnuts, Turkish red pepper paste (if using, see note), olive oil, about 1/3 tsp salt and pulse it again to combine well.Tip: Lightly toast the walnuts for flavor.
• Adjust the amount of pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, garlic and seasonings to your taste.
• Transfer the muhammara dip into a shallow serving bowl and use the back of a spoon to create some curvy patterns.
• Drizzle some more olive oil. And garnish with chopped fresh mint or chives and some walnut halves. Store it in refrigerator for about 5 days.

TURKISH MUHAMMARA (RED PEPPER AND WALNUT SAUCE)

Steps:

• Combine bell peppers, walnuts, breadcrumbs, and spices in the container of a food processor or blender. Process to combine. Add tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, lemon, and process until smooth. Add roasted pepper puree and process again. Add sugar and salt. Then gradually add the olive oil. Spoon into a small bowl and garnish with chopped parsley. Chill until ready to serve.

TURKISH RED PEPPER AND WALNUT DIP (MUHAMMARA)

Steps:

• If you haven't already, roast the red pepper and garlic cloves in a 400 degree F oven for about 30 minutes, or until the peppers are soft. Cool for a few minutes and remove the outer skin from the peppers.
• In a blender or food processor, add the rest of the dip ingredients (except for garnish) and pulse a few times until it becomes thick and creamy, or to desired consistency. Taste for seasoning.
• Once done, pour muhammara to a bowl and garnish with pomegranate seeds, lemon zest, chopped parsley and an extra drizzle of olive oil.

TURKISH MUHAMMARA

Steps:

• In mortar using pestle, pound walnuts into very small pieces. (Don't do this in food processor or it will turn to paste.).
• Transfer to large mixing bowl and add feta, bread crumbs, oil, garlic, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, pomegranate juice, tomato paste, hot paprika mix, sweet peppers, oil-packed crushed red peppers, hot sauce, cumin, paprika, chili flakes, oregano, black pepper, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder and sugar.
• Mix very well by hand, squeezing and mixing.
• In small bowl, combine yellow and green onions.
• Sprinkle with salt.
• Let stand several minutes.
• Squeeze mixture by hand, discarding liquid.
• Add onions to walnut mixture and mix well by hand.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving to let flavours develop. Serve with pita, bread or crackers. (Keeps several days. If needed, drizzle with olive oil before serving to loosen mixture.).