I'm afraid that you are all going to catch on that I only use 10 ingredients and keep trying to show you different recipes for the same flavors. A while back I posted a recipe for a red pepper and pomegranate dressing that I love and use often when I want to make a salad really sing. Today, I'll tell you how to take many of the same ingredients and turn them into a delicious spread that fits right into your next mezze platter.
You already know my feelings about a mezze platter. I make them all the time for lunches and dinners. Sometimes they are more traditional with Middle Eastern ingredients and sometimes they are more "grazing platters" where I gather spreads like Red Lentil Hummus and meats with cheeses, fruits, and veggies. Either way, it's simple and somehow celebratory. What is really just "breads and spreads" turns into a meal.
Muhammara fits in on any platter, if you ask me. It's a spread with pomegranate molasses, roasted red peppers, cumin, lemon juice, and walnuts and if that rundown doesn't have your interest piqued I can't help you. It's so easy to prepare, the only "work" is toasting the walnuts. Once you've managed that task without burning the nuts, everything gets whirled together in the food processor and pretty soon you can be dipping pita in there and being very pleased with yourself.
I've included this in the notes, but the moisture content in your drained red peppers can vary quite a bit. Once you've mixed things up, you can adjust by adding breadcrumbs or walnuts if things are too soupy or olive oil and water if the mixture is too crumbly. Also, as this spread sits it will get drier (those breadcrumbs are still working!), so I like a little drizzle of olive oil over the top right before serving.
Get yourself some pomegranate molasses and make a batch today. Better yet, add a batch of hummus and some pita and call it dinner!
Do you love the combination of roasted red peppers and pomegranate molasses? Try this delicious Crispy Halloumi Lentil Salad next!
Recipe
Muhammara
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup bread crumbs (plain)
- ½ cup walnuts (toasted)
- 2 cloves garlic (peeled)
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1½ tablespoon pomegranate molasses
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 roasted red bell pepper (about 1 cup of pepper pieces from jarred roasted peppers, drained)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Process until mostly smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides. Check the consistency (see notes) and add additional ingredients if needed.
Notes
Nutrition facts are sometimes provided below and are calculated using an online calculator. With specific brands of ingredients and additions, omissions, or substitutions the nutrition facts may change. We encourage you to use your own nutrition facts calculator to obtain the most accurate nutrition facts for your meal.
Nutrition Facts
I'd love to hear your thoughts!