Originally a Syrian dip, this uses both pomegranate molasses and Aleppo chili flakes. This might be hard to come by, but odds are that a Middle Eastern supermarket has these ingredients. I managed to find pomegranate molasses, which is crucial to get the real taste of this, but Aleppo chili is hard to come by, so I used regular chili flakes here and used less, but opt for Aleppo Chili flakes if you can find them !
Makes about 1 liter / 33.8 fl. oz
Ingredients
- 3 red bell peppers
- 200 g walnuts (7 oz)
- 80 ml breadcrumbs (1/3 cup)
- 1 stalk of spring onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- 2 tablespoons tomato puree
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (or 1 tsp Aleppo chili flakes)
- Juice from 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Walnuts
- Parsley
- Freshly ground black pepper
What you will need
- Cutting board and knife
- 1 ovenproof dish
- 1 pan + spoon to stir
- 1 measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- 1 blender or bowl and stick blender
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 c (390 F).
- Wash the bell peppers and dry. Put in an ovenproof dish, roast in the oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until slightly charred.
- Put the walnuts and breadcrumbs in a pan. Toast on medium high heat while stirring until the breadcrumbs are very golden.
- Blend smooth: spring onion, garlic, pomegranate molasses, olive oil, tomato puree, tahini, chili flakes, cumin, lemon juice and some salt and pepper. Let sit and marinade.
- Take out bell peppers when slightly charred. Carefully deseed and take the stem off. Blend with the marinade until smooth.
- Add in the toasted breadcrumbs and walnuts, keeping a few walnuts for topping on later. Blend until desired texture, but keep some chunks. Refrigerate for a few hours, allowing the mixture to soak the walnuts and marinade.
- Serve topped with an olive oil swirl, fresh parsley, black pepper and toasted walnuts, eat as a dipping for toasted bread, vegetable sticks, fruit, dried fruit, crackers etc.
Enjoy !
