Muhammara
I’ve had a few requests for the muhammara recipe we served at the Warwick Wingding. I’ve updated it recently so it’s worth posting again. Do try to find the chilli pepper paste* if you can as it has a unique flavour, although regular chillies also work. I often leave out the cumin, too.
Muhammara
8 red peppers
4 tablespoons olive oil
70g walnuts
2 tablespoons hot pepper paste or 2 red chillies, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted until fragrant in a dry pan and then ground to paste using a grinder or pestle and mortar
50g white breadcrumbs blended to a paste with about 1 tbsp cold water
2-4 tablespoons pomegranate molasses (to taste)
1 clove garlic, crushed
Salt and pepper
Put the peppers on a roasting tray, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper then use your hands to mix around until all the skins are covered. Roast in a hot oven (about 170C) until the skins are blackened then place in a bowl and cover with cling film. Leave for 10 minutes. The skins should now be easy to remove. Chop roughly, discarding the seeds.
Put the peppers, walnuts, breadcrumb paste, chillies, cumin, pomegranate molasses and garlic in a blender and blend to a paste. Remove from the blender and mix in the olive oil then taste and add salt and pepper.
* The chilli pepper paste is available from Middle Eastern food shops and is often labelled ‘red pepper’ or ‘hot pepper’ paste. It comes in jars.
Category: Barbecue, Peckham, Sauces, Condiments and Spreads | Tags: chillies, Middle Eastern red pepper sauce, Muhammara recipe, red pepper and walnut sauce, red pepper dip recipe, walnuts, Warwick Wingding 7 comments »
September 29th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
I shall be trying this – I had muhammara for the first time about 2 months ago at Moro and loved it! I also have all the spices and the molasses in the cupboard.
September 29th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Ohhh I have to try this! Thank you for sharing.
September 30th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
yum! Is the red chilli paste harissa or something slightly different?
K
September 30th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Hi Salty! Nah it’s something different. It’s basically pure chopped chillies but I think they are a special kind because they have a unique flavour. You can get it in Khan’s in Peckham. Come on over and I’ll give you a tour! x
September 30th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Muhammara wasn’t he the evil dude out of Thundercats?
Love a good dip, and this one looks bloody good.
October 1st, 2010 at 12:05 am
Thanks for sharing this Helen, I adore Muhammara & I just happen to have a dozen red peppers in the fridge that have had me baffled on just how to use them up.
October 5th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
scrummy. and spicy- my fave. x shayma