Saturday, December 31, 2011

Muhammara



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...It's hard to believe the year is coming to an end. At dinner tonight Bob and I will toast absent friends and I want you to know that all of you are included in that number. We have no special plans for the evening, though we will be hosting a brunch on New Year's Day. I have made some very simple finger foods for the two of us to nibble on as wile away the countdown to midnight. I've actually made three dishes and a coin toss determined which I would share with you today. Muhammara, a hot pepper dip, won. This is a Turkish dip that I had for the first time this year. As you scan the recipe ingredients you'll see that there is nothing here not to like. It is very easy to make and if you keep pomegranate molasses in the pantry, you can have it on the table in 10 minutes. It is usually eaten as a dip or spread, though it also makes a wonderful sauce for grilled meats and chicken. It's important to use fresh bread crumbs and toasted walnuts when you make this. They add flavor and texture that can't be achieved with easier substitutions. I hope you'll give this dip a try. It is additive and I think you'll like it. And because it's New Year's Eve, I thought I sneak in the latest pictures of our younger grandsons. They're sweeter than muhammara but just as addictive. They are, however, more work.Their photos are at the end of this post. Here's the recipe for this wonderful Turkish dip.

Muhammara...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1 (7-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and patted dry
2/3 cup fine fresh bread crumbs
1/3 cup walnuts, toasted lightly and chopped fine
2 to 4 garlic cloves, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste
2 teaspoons pomegranate molasses
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
toasted pita triangles as an accompaniment

Directions:
In a food processor blend together peppers, bread crumbs, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, cumin, red pepper flakes, and salt to taste until mixture is smooth. With motor running add oil gradually. Transfer muhammara to a bowl and serve it at room temperature with crudities or pita triangles. If not served immediately refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Serve at room temperature. Yield: 1-1/2 cups.







One Year Ago Today: Bouillabaisse la Marseillaise
















Two Years Ago Today: Mexican Beer Cheese Spread













40 comments :

Pondside said...

The dip/spread looks wonderful - and the boys are adorable. Happy New Year!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Your grandchildren are just adorable!!!! We have that toy piano in the background, it was played with for over five years.

My Little Space said...

Oh my oh my, you have no idea how fast are these kids grow. Just look at the cute little sweetie pie. Oooo...give me a hug, will you? haha... I bet he's having fun running around the house. Btw, the turkish dipping looks as good. Thank you for sharing all those wonderful recipes throughout the year 2011. Looking forward to more from your kitchen, Mary. Happy New Year to you & your family. Have fun!
Blessings
Kristy

decocinasytacones said...

Your grandsons are cute!. HAPPY NEW YEAR from the other side of the Atlantic.
Love fromm Spain
Marialuisa

Lynn said...

Happy New Year Mary! Thanks for another very flavorful year!
PS-Lovin' the owl hat:@)

Coleens Recipes said...

What beautiful grandchildren, aren't they just the best part of getting older!?!?!? Happy New Year friend.

Red Nomad OZ said...

Sensational! All the more so for being almost RED!! While pomegranate molasses is not currently a pantry staple, there's no reason why I can't make a resolution to stock it in 2012!!

Happy New Year (only 2 1/2 hours to go downunder!!!)

PS Kids look so cute!!!

Alicia Foodycat said...

Oh that looks good!

Our pattern for NYE is to have a really good meal at home and watch a DVD. We may or may not make it to midnight!

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

Sounds like a great weekend you have planned, great way to greet the new year. The Mmuhammara sounds very similar to one I often make from Cook's Illustrated. No pomegranate molasses, though, and crushed wheat crackers . . . so probably very different!

Happy New Year, Mary!

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

And a toast to you for a blessed and healthy New Year. Already excited to see where 2012 takes you in our beautiful world. Beautiful, beautiful boys!!!!

Rita said...

Love this new spread that I will be trying real soon.
Wishing you the best in 2012.
Rita

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Happy New Year, Mary - a toast to you as well! Wishing you a lovely evening and a safe and happy year ahead for you and your family.

Kim said...

wish you will have a happy new year Mary! Your grandsons are really cute, I agree with you! And the dip look good too!

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Happy New Year 2012 !!!!
Myriam :))

Lauren @ hey, who cut the cheese? said...

Mmm this sounds delicious! Have a happy new year!

Anonymous said...

this dip sounds wonderful, I also love the color,
Happy New Year to you my blogging friend, its been a joy meeting you!

Claudia said...

The sweet and the spicy are perfect for ringing in the New Year - just what I want in my life. And sharing these days with those beautiful grandchildren must be as good as it gets. Happy New Year, Mary! I love following your blog and your wry and sweet comments about your dishes. May 2012 bring joys.

Sue/the view from great island said...

I'm so happy you've been sharing these fascinating Turkish recipes. The next time I'm tempted to make my umpteenth batch of hummus I will try this instead. Your 'boys' are so sweet. Happy New Year!

Bites from life with the barking lot said...

I love your blog. Your writing makes me smile and the food is always as described. But those grandchildren!!! What a treat to see such sweet faces. Thank you Mary, and Happy New Year to you and your family.

Manasi said...

the dip is right up my alley! bookmarking it and will make it soon!
Your grandchildren are adorable! I love the laughing expression in their eyes! So happy and carefree! May they stay like that forever! God Bless.
Happy New Year!

Alexandrina said...

Happy New Year!

pamlovesbooks said...

look at those sweet faces!

Dining Alone said...

Lots of happy in this post :) I will be making this spread for sure.

Catherine said...

Dear Mary, Wishing you a very blessed New Year. Catherine xo

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Adorable pictures! we are staying in tonight too but having company for dinner tomorrow. This is a nice dip to eat as an appetizer. The best to you and your family in 2012!

Joanne said...

Ah! the cuteness!

I love the sound of that dip...a little sweet, a little tangy and a LOT of delicious! Happy new year, Mary!

June said...

Oh my goodness - absolutely adorable boys! Happy New Year Mary.

Leslie said...

Pomegranate molasses? Man I have never seen that, but it sounds like something I am going to have to keep an eye out for!!!
Happy New Year to you!

From the Kitchen said...

No pomegranate molasses but I can get my hands on it quickly! We are meeting two other couples for an early dinner at a favorite restaurant. Then it's home for us with a movie and a bottle of champagne--perfect!

Thanks for sharing the photos of those beautiful little boys.

All good wishes, Mary, to you and yours!

Best,
Bonnie

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

I am stopping by to wish you a Happy New Year, Mary. Thanks for the wonderful recipes, you share with us.

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

A wonderful sounding dip and adorable children...that is a lovely way to end the year. I wish you and your family a wonderful and healthy New Year.

pam said...

Happy New Year Mary!!! The boys are sweeties!

Gloria Baker said...

Your grandson is adorable, is so cute!!!Happy New Year dear Mary and blessings!

France@beyondthepeel said...

Roasted red peppers are such a wonderful thing to have on had. This sound like a great dip and the walnuts would had a really nice balance. Next dip I make, i'll give this one a try. It sounds lovely.

That Girl said...

I made pomegranate molasses a couple weeks ago so I love finding recipes where I can use it!

Tanna said...

Oh, I've been away for a few days and am so glad I went back through all the posts to catch myself up to date! Those are some PRECIOUS angels at the end of this post!! I know you enjoyed having them! blessings ~ Tanna

tender b. said...

Muhammara is a great way to approach the New Year. Have a great one.

Sharon Koenig said...

That dip looks good, and I like the color of it, a nice and bright sunny orange color! :)

And that Pomegranate Molasses, I've never heard of it before. I'm sure it adds quite an interesting flavor to go along with those peppers!

Amarendra said...

Thank you for stopping my blog. I am honored Ma'am. Your blog is such a wonderful place that everybody will like to follow it.. Once again so thank you so much for the appreciation.

Tiffany Youngren said...

I have never heard of Muhammara! We eat gluten free, so I'm gonna play with this - maybe add a combo of flax meal / almond meal / gluten free flour in place of cracker crumbs. We eat our hummus recipe with vegetables - I bet Muhammara would work well with veggies, too!

Love your blog - excellent recipes!

Tiffany

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