Description
Muhammara is a delicious, creamy Middle Eastern red pepper and walnut dip that combines smoky roasted peppers with tangy pomegranate molasses and a hint of spice. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, it pairs wonderfully with warm pita bread or fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Muhammara Ingredients
- 3 roasted red bell peppers
- ½ cup bread crumbs, fresh or store-bought
- ½ cup walnuts
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1½ tablespoons pomegranate molasses*
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh mint, for garnish
- Pita bread, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Ensure the red bell peppers are roasted and peeled. Measure out the breadcrumbs, walnuts, olive oil, pomegranate molasses, garlic, lemon juice, Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes, cumin, and black pepper.
- Combine in Food Processor: Place the roasted red peppers, breadcrumbs, walnuts, olive oil, pomegranate molasses, garlic clove, lemon juice, Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes, cumin, and several grinds of black pepper into a food processor.
- Pulse to Creamy Consistency: Pulse the mixture until it becomes creamy but still retains some texture. Stop and scrape down the sides as necessary to blend evenly.
- Season to Taste: Taste the muhammara and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more lemon juice, salt, or pepper according to preference.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with fresh mint leaves, and serve with warm pita bread or your choice of dipping accompaniments.
Notes
- If you don’t have pomegranate molasses, substitute with 2 teaspoons maple syrup plus an additional 2 teaspoons of lemon juice for the tangy sweetness.
- Roasting your own bell peppers enhances the smoky flavor; alternatively, you may use jarred roasted red peppers.
- For a smoother texture, process the mixture for a longer time but avoid over-processing to maintain some nuttiness from the walnuts.
- Adjust the heat level by modifying the amount of Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes to your desired spice tolerance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 cup (60g)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
