Is This The Hottest Middle-Eastern Dip? We Think So

Be it a hearty breakfast or a wholesome lunch, a delicious condiment can amp up any meal to a different level altogether. One such delicious condiment is the Middle Eastern Muhammara dip that is made up of bell peppers and walnuts. With the right notes of savoury, sweet, tangy and spicy, this condiment is perfect for all kinds of dishes. The word Muhammara s derived from the Arabic word ‘Ahmar’, meaning red. With its roots in the Syrian city of Aleppo, Muhammara has crossed the borders and has become a worldwide favourite. Traditionally, Muhammara dip is made with Aleppo chilli peppers, but you can replace them with a mixture of dried Kashmiri red chillies with some sun-dried tomatoes for the tangy note. Muhammara dip can be stored for up to a week only if you can resist wiping the bowl clean. Are you already planning to add it to your meal prep? Here’s the recipe for you to try.

Preparation time- 10 minutes

Cooking time- 30 minutes

Servings- 6

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 5 tbsp olive oil 
  • 150 grams of walnuts
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • ¾ breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp red chilli paste
  • 1 tsp Aleppo peppers or Aleppo pepper substitute
  • 1 tsp sumac
  • 1 tsp parsley
  • Salt, according to taste

METHOD

  1. Brush the bell peppers with some olive oil and roast on flame for about 5 minutes. 
  2. Toast the walnuts on medium heat till they change colour. Make sure not to burn them.
  3. Once the bell peppers are roasted, cool them on a chopping board, remove the seeds and chop them or slice them into long strips. 
  4. In a food processor, add bell peppers, olive oil, tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, garlic, toasted walnuts, breadcrumbs, red chilli paste, Aleppo peppers, sumac and salt and blend to a smooth paste. 
  5. Transfer the mixture into a bowl, drizzle some olive oil and garnish parsley before serving. 

You can use this dip as a snack condiment, serve them with pita bread, spread on sandwiches, or brush them on chicken or fish after grilling. Add this dip to your meal prep to have no more boring meals.