Muhammara is a classic Levantine dip made from roasted sweet red peppers (Capsicum), Aleppo chilli, walnuts and pomegranate molasses.

Food and Story

When I first know of Muhammara from one of Ottolenghi's cookbook, I admit that Muhammara got me at its vibrant colour.

Its red and inviting.

Skimming through Muhammara's ingredients, one ingredient that piqued my interest, Aleppo chilli flakes.
I have tasted my normal chilli flakes, I have also tasted Korean chilli flakes.
Aleppo?
I have not!

My search for Aleppo chilli flakes on the net, was quite  a breeze.
Managed to order my Aleppo chilli, just in the nick of time before that store in Melbourne closed its door for good.

Needless to say Aleppo chilli is my 'prized' item in my pantry :P.

What is Muhammara?

Muhammara is a hot pepper dip from Aleppo, Syria region.
Muhammara is widely used in Turkish cuisines too.

Easy Steps to Make a delicious Muhammara

1. Take 3 medium size red peppers or red capsicum.
Wash, clean and wipe dry.
Cook over stove until capsicum are soft and charred.
Wrap in clingfilm and set aside.


2. Peel off the membrane


3. Ingredients for Muhammara



4. Fresh breadcrumbs


5. Breadcrumbs and walnuts




6. Charred red peppers and the remaining of the ingredients




7. Processed until smooth.
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8. Took about 5 minutes to get this smooth silky Muhammara dip.
(pssst... not counting the roasting or charring the red peppers)

Comparisons between Smooth silky Muhammara and chunky Muhammara

Out of curiosity, I wanted to try both smooth and chunky Muhammara.
Just to see how and whats the difference either would do to my palate!



According to Ottolenghi: Muhammara is best made in pestle and mortar for that rough look and lovely texture.

However, I much prefer to have my Muhammara dip to be smooth and silky, when I served the dip with my water biscuits, or cut up vegetables.

Perhaps I will try the chunky Muhammara when I serve it with pasta next.
Muhammara could be/ will be my new pesto.

My other dip recipes 

Hurmmm.... I don't have many dip recipes in my collection.

May be I should try making dips like babaganoush, or Tzatziki and many more in the future.

The only one that I have is this Sweet Potato Hummus, hummus is one of my favourite dip too :)