Muhammara

Muhammara can be described as a Syrian chutney. It is made mainly with red Aleppo peppers similar to our acharwali lal mirch. Since those are in season only in winters I used Red bell peppers. To begin with first the peppers are fire roasted and then ground along with the rest of the ingredients. Toasted walnuts and bread crumbs give body to it. Usually when I make sandwiches I trim the edges and save them to be used for crumbing later in different dishes. Garlic to give it umami. Traditionally pomegranate molasses are used to give acidity. I worked around this and used our own Kakvi or black treacle along with dried anardana and lime juice. It is a delicious rich dip for fried food and a stunning spread on your bread. Oh and we had it with dosa too.

Ingredients

1 cup walnuts

2 Red bell peppers about 250 gms

1/2 cup stale bread edges

6-8 cloves garlic

juice of 1/2 lime

2 tablespoon Kakvi or Black treacle

1 teaspoon anardana or dried pomegranate seeds

1 teaspoon Kashmiri chilli powder

2 + 1 tablespoon olive oil

salt to taste

Begin with fire roasting the Red bell peppers. Apply oil lightly on the bell peppers and slow roast over a grid on the gas burner. Slow roasting will cook the pepper through. Make sure roasting is even by turning the sides. The skin should be completely charred. Remove from gas and cover with a dome to let the hot roasted peppers sweat and cool too.

Next while the peppers rest start toasting the walnut on a tava. Keep moving the walnuts so you are careful not to burn them. The walnuts once toasted will emanate a fragrance. Stop at that point, remove the walnuts to a plate and allow to cool. 

In the same pan toast the edges of bread slices. I used the edges saved from sandwich making. Toast them crisp n golden.

Meanwhile remove the charred skin of the peppers and cut open. Deseed the peppers and take only the flesh. Put it into a mixer jar. To it add garlic cloves, juice of 1/2 lime, 2 tablespoon Kakvi or Black treacle, anardana or dried pomegranate seeds, Kashmiri chilli powder, 2 tablespoon olive oil, salt to taste. Lastly add the cooled walnuts and crisp bread edge.s. Save couple of walnuts for garnish. Grind together to smoothness. 

Remove the ground paste into a bowl with a spoon create a groove or moat in the paste. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of Olive oil over it and garnish with crushed walnuts. Sprinkle some red chilli powder to add some style.

Serve this Muhammara with your favorite type of bread or Kababs. I love it with fresh baked Khubz and even with Idli or dosa. It is as versatile as you can imagine. The origin might be Syrian but you make it your own the way you use it. Happy eating!