Muhammara

This is a Levantine dish, Syrian in origin (although Lebanese cuisine uses it plenty too) and popularly enjoyed all the way up to Turkey, down to Egypt, and across to Armenia. And today, perhaps rather further afield! It’s first and foremost a spicy dip/spread, though it can be lengthened into a sauce, and/or made more substantial by adding an extra protein. We’ll give you the basic recipe though, and let you see where it takes you! Healthwise, it’s very nutritionally dense, mostly thanks to the walnuts and red peppers, though spices and olive oil bring their healthy benefits too.

You will need

• ½ cup chopped walnuts (ideally: toasted)
• 3 red peppers, from a jar (jarred over fresh not only improves the consistency, but also makes it extra gut-healthy due to the fermentation bacteria present; if you must use fresh, roast them first)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses (you can omit if you don’t like sweetness, but this is traditional)
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tbsp Aleppo pepper flakes (less, if you don’t like heat) (substitute another hot pepper if necessary)
• ½ bulb garlic, crushed
• 2 tsp ground smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp MSG or 1 tsp low-sodium salt
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Optional: handful of pomegranate seeds
• Optional: herb garnish, e.g. cilantro or parsley

Method

(we suggest you read everything at least once before doing anything)

1) Add everything except the pomegranate seeds and herbs to a blender, and blend to a smooth consistency.

2) Add the pomegranate seeds and herbs, as a garnish.

3) Serve! Can be enjoyed as a dip (perhaps using our Homemade Healthy Flatbreads recipe), or as a spread, or used as a sauce poured over chickpeas or some other bulky protein, to make a more substantial dish.

Enjoy!

Want to learn more?

For those interested in some of the science of what we have going on today:

• Capsaicin For Weight Loss And Against Inflammation
• Red Bell Peppers vs Tomatoes – Which is Healthier?
• Bell Peppers: A Spectrum Of Specialties
• Lycopene’s Benefits For The Gut, Heart, Brain, & More

Take care!