Turkish Red Pepper Paste Recipes

MUHAMMARA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the red bell peppers on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and roast for about 35 to 45 minutes.
• Turn the sides of peppers at least once, and roast until they are soft, well cooked and the skin is charred.
• Transfer the roasted bell peppers to a preparation bowl and cover with a cling wrap. Once cooled, peel the skin and remove the seeds.
• Cut the roasted peppers into strips or pieces and place in a food processor. Add the bread crumbs, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, red pepper flakes (if using, see note), cumin and grated garlic.
• Use the pulse option on the food processor and process the ingredients into a slightly coarse but cohesive mixture.
• Next, add finely chopped walnuts, Turkish red pepper paste (if using, see note), olive oil, about 1/3 tsp salt and pulse it again to combine well.Tip: Lightly toast the walnuts for flavor.
• Adjust the amount of pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, garlic and seasonings to your taste.
• Transfer the muhammara dip into a shallow serving bowl and use the back of a spoon to create some curvy patterns.
• Drizzle some more olive oil. And garnish with chopped fresh mint or chives and some walnut halves. Store it in refrigerator for about 5 days.

TURKISH RED PEPPER PASTE

Steps:

• Cut the capsicums into large chunks, discarding the seed core.
• Slice the chillies in half (discarding the seeds for if you require a milder paste) and trim any stems.
• Place the capsicums, chillies, water, salt, sugar and olive oil in a food processor until smooth.
• Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and simmer gently until the mixture is thick has reduced to a thick paste (about 1 hour) stirring frequently.
• Keep stirring frequently to take care that the mixture doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
• Allow to cool then use as desired in Turkish recipes or any time that you want a little "heat" in your cooking.
• This mixture can be kept in a refrigerator or up to 1 week in a sealable container. Or, it can be frozen in a small sealable plastic container.

TURKISH-STYLE TOMATO AND RED-PEPPER SPREAD

Steps:

• Mince and mash garlic to a paste with 1 teaspoon salt. Purée remaining ingredients with garlic paste in food processor until almost smooth. Season with salt.