Easy Muhammara Recipe
Easy Muhammara Recipe is an irresistible dip whose real star ingredient is the superfood fruit, the pomegranate. It has a smoky flavor from the roasted peppers, and has a salty, sweet and spicy taste from the walnuts, sesame seeds and chili flakes. You will absolutely love its deeply layered flavors drizzled with olive oil and served with piles of crackers or pita chips!
Equipment
- Food processor, oven
Ingredients
For the pomegranate molasses:
- 1 cup pomegranate aril
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- a pinch caster sugar
For the muhammara:
- 3 red pepper deseeded, core removed
- 2 garlic
- 1 cup walnut
- ½ cup brown sesame seeds
- 1½ tsp chili flakes
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp pink salt
- 3 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
How to make the pomegranate molasses:
- Prepare the ingredients.
- Use a blender or juicer to extract the juice of the pomegranate arils. Pour the strained juice into a small saucepot. Gently heat the pot and cook on low heat and then simmer it. Keep stirring the juice.
- Once the juice has reduced to a syrupy consistency, turn off the heat and add the lemon juice. This would take around 2-4 minutes. Optionally, add half a teaspoon of sugar before turning off the heat. It should have reduced to around 1-2 tablespoons molasses. Keep aside.
How to make the Muhammara:
- Prepare the ingredients. Roast the walnuts on a baking sheet at 400 degrees F for 3-6 minutes in the oven or in a pan for 3 minutes. Toast the sesame seeds in a small pan until fragrant for 2-3 minutes.
- Cut the peppers into quarters and remove the seeds and the core. Place them with the skin facing up on a baking tray. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil and air fry or bake/broil at 425 degrees F for 12-14 minutes until the skin is charred. Remove from the oven and cool them. Remove the skin or the top thin membrane with the charred parts. Keep aside.
- Place the ingredients and add a tablespoon or two of the pomegranate molasses in a food processor or mixer/grinder.
- Grind the ingredients for 5-7 minutes to an almost smooth texture.
- Serve with pita chips or crackers and garnish with pomegranate arils, olive oil and dill.
Notes
- I have used sweet homegrown pomegranate to make the pomegranate molasses which is why I added only a pinch of sugar to taste. Adjust the amount of sugar depending on the taste of the fruit.
Nutrition
Calories: 174kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 3gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 300mgPotassium: 223mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1515IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
