Muhammara
Description
Perfect with the table and drinks. Muhammara is one of many vegetable puree-style appetizers that is very popular in many Middle Eastern countries. There, as a rule, this appetizer is served with fresh bread or crackers and used as a spread. I do the same—it turns out very tasty, especially when the bread is fresh, still warm, and the muhammara is hot off the stove too... Mmmm! :) It can be served warm or chilled.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Cut the peppers in half into two equal halves, remove the seeds and membranes. Place the peppers cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- 2
Step 2
Place the peppers in the oven and bake at 190°C until the pepper skins char. This usually takes 10–20 minutes.
- 3
Step 3
Immediately transfer the peppers from the oven into a plastic bag, tie it tightly, and let them sit for about 20 minutes. This makes it easier to peel off the charred skin from the peppers.
- 4
Step 4
After 20 minutes, take the peppers out of the bag and peel them without much difficulty.
- 5
Step 5
This is what the cleaned pepper should look like.
- 6
Step 6
Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet for about a minute.
- 7
Step 7
Put the peppers (for convenience, you can cut them into slightly smaller pieces as desired), nuts, and all the other recipe ingredients into a food processor or blender bowl.
- 8
Step 8
Grind until smooth. Now taste and adjust if needed—add salt or spices, water (if too thick), lemon juice (if you need more acidity). In short, balance the flavor to your liking.
- 9
Step 9
Serve with fresh bread, garnished with a mint leaf.