Monday, April 25, 2011

Muhammara



I love all things Mezze. If you don't know what Mezze is, basically, Mezze is a compilation of small dishes served in the Middle East or Mediterranean that is served during lunch or dinner as an appetizer. Some things that are typically served in a Mezze are hummus, grape leaves, tabouleh, baba ganoush, lebni, halloumi cheese, olives and my favorite ever: muhammara! I mean, I must really love Mezze because I named my dog 'Baba Ganoush!'


It's kind of impossible to make a complete Mezze platter for myself since I would be the only one eating it and could not possibly eat it for all meals of the day for a month! My plan has been to cook one mezze dish per every two weeks, that way I can have mini Mezzes for myself and not let anything go to waste. This week, I made Muhammara. It is love. It's literally the simplest thing to whiz together in a food processor and once you've arranged all of the ingredients in front of you, it takes a second to make.


Muhummara + warm whole white pita = snack heaven! Slightly sweet, slightly savory and smoky; delicious.



Muhammara
Yields: about 3 cups

1 1/2 cups shelled walnuts, toasted
2 roasted red bell peppers (freshly roasted or 3 jarred)
1/2 small red onion, coarsely chopped
1 tbsn. fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup finely ground unseasoned dry breadcrumbs
2 tbsn. pomegranate molasses
1 tbsn. ground cumin
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 cup olive oil

Finely chop the walnuts in a food processor but be careful not to pulse them into a paste. They should be the texture of coarse breadcrumbs. Add the bell pepper, onion and lemon juice and pulse until the peppers are finely chopped. Add the breadcrumbs, pomegranate molasses, sugar, cumin, salt and cayenne pepper. Pulse once to blend. Gradually add the oil, blending until the mixture resembles a very coarse puree. Transfer to a serving bowl.


14 comments:

  1. that sounds/looks soooo delicious!

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  2. these photos are so gorgeous! and this sounds delicious.

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  3. I don't think I would share! That looks yummy!

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  4. Beautiful and looks so so tasty. Love this!

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  5. This is the first I've heard of muhammara, but it looks spectacular. Red bell pepper? Count me in!

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  6. FYI:
    Muhammara freezes beautifully.
    Luisa

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  7. Just made some of this, but with roasted red pepper, onions and garlic puree. Delicious! Thanks for the inspiration, and beautiful pics

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  8. no tailored tuesdays this wk??

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  9. @ alikoh: omg! i forgot haha... next week, next week! -__-

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  10. (First time comment)
    I made this today (also mezze-hungry)and it was unbelievably delicious! Please share more beautiful recipes (and photos) as you make them! Thank you for providing me with a lovely lunch.

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  11. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  12. very nice blog... i particularly like this series of photos

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  13. Ok this is a new one to me, and it looks INCREDIBLE!! I now have this recipe saved :)

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  14. Thanks for the recipe! This looks exactly like one the I used to enjoy at Petit Alep in Montreal.

    I don't see sugar in the list of ingredients. Is it meant to be sugar to taste?

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