Muhammara (Roasted Pepper & Walnut Spread)
Description
Chef John's recipe for muhammara — a roasted red pepper and walnut spread — is perfect as a dip with fresh pita bread or as a topping for any bread.
Ingredients
•
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
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1 1/4 cups raw walnut halves
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1/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs
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1 cup fire-roasted red bell peppers - peeled, seeded, coarsely chopped
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2 garlic cloves, crushed
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2 tablespoons lemon juice
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2 teaspoons pomegranate molasses
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1 teaspoon salt, plus more if needed
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper flakes or other red pepper flakes, plus a pinch or so for garnish
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1/2 teaspoon cumin
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1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley for garnish
Directions
1
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add walnuts and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook and stir frequently until walnuts smell toasted and are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer walnuts to a plate to cool. Reserve 2 or 3 to coarsely chop and use for garnish.
2
Place the skillet over medium heat; add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle in bread crumbs; cook and stir frequently until crumbs turn golden brown, 3 or 4 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle onto plate with walnuts.
3
Place peppers in bowl of a food processor. Add walnuts, toasted bread crumbs, garlic, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, salt, paprika, Aleppo pepper flakes, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
4
Pulse on and off, scraping mixture down occasionally, until mixture is fairly fine and smooth. Transfer to a bowl; cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
5
Transfer to a shallow serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to swirl indentations on the surface to capture the garnishes. Garnish with reserved chopped walnuts, a drizzle of olive oil, pepper flakes, and chopped parsley.