Moohammara Muhammara Traditional Lebanese Appetizer Food

MUHAMMARA

Steps:

• In a food processor blend together the peppers, the bread crumbs, the walnuts, the garlic, the lemon juice, the pomegranate molasses, the cumin, the red pepper flakes, and salt to taste until the mixture is smooth and with the motor running add the oil gradually. Transfer the muhammara to a bowl and serve it at room temperature with the pita triangles.

TURKISH MUHAMMARA

Steps:

• In mortar using pestle, pound walnuts into very small pieces. (Don't do this in food processor or it will turn to paste.).
• Transfer to large mixing bowl and add feta, bread crumbs, oil, garlic, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, pomegranate juice, tomato paste, hot paprika mix, sweet peppers, oil-packed crushed red peppers, hot sauce, cumin, paprika, chili flakes, oregano, black pepper, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder and sugar.
• Mix very well by hand, squeezing and mixing.
• In small bowl, combine yellow and green onions.
• Sprinkle with salt.
• Let stand several minutes.
• Squeeze mixture by hand, discarding liquid.
• Add onions to walnut mixture and mix well by hand.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving to let flavours develop. Serve with pita, bread or crackers. (Keeps several days. If needed, drizzle with olive oil before serving to loosen mixture.).

MUHAMMARA (ROASTED PEPPER & WALNUT SPREAD)

Steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add walnuts and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook and stir frequently until walnuts smell toasted and are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer walnuts to a plate to cool. Reserve 2 or 3 to coarsely chop and use for garnish.
• Place the skillet over medium heat; add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle in the breadcrumbs; cook and stir frequently until crumbs turn golden brown, 3 or 4 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle onto plate with walnuts.
• Place peppers in bowl of a food processor. Add walnuts, toasted bread crumbs, garlic, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, salt, paprika, Aleppo pepper flakes, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Pulse on and off, scraping mixture down occasionally, until mixture is fairly fine and smooth. Transfer to a bowl; cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
• Transfer to a shallow serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to swirl indentations on the surface to capture the garnishes. Garnish with reserved chopped walnuts, a drizzle of olive oil, pepper flakes, and chopped parsley.

MOOHAMMARA/ MUHAMMARA - TRADITIONAL LEBANESE APPETIZER

Steps:

• In food processor, combine onions and walnuts.
• Gradually pour in the pomegranate molasses, mix in the peppers or paste.
• As slowly as possible, add both the olive and vegetable oil to the mixture while the machine is running.
• Gradually add bread crumbs until the mixture turns into a thick paste. Drizzle with olive oil and serve with pita wedges, crackers or cut vegetables.