A complex and unique Middle Eastern spread

This spread is a classic in the Middle East and is incredibly easy to make with the help of a Vitamix.

Part of the Syrian, Lebanese, and Turkish diets, this red pepper, pomegranate, and walnut spread is just making it’s way to the United States.

And we are so glad it did!

Whip up this complex and unique spread next time you’re called upon to host. Your guests will be blown away.

Impress your guests with this stunning spread

Perhaps you’ve heard of muhammara, perhaps you haven’t. I wouldn’t say it’s even remotely a household name at this point in the United States.

But, I have seen it start to pop up in specialty grocery stores and on innovative restaurant menus.

It caught my eye for a few reasons, it’s:

• Middle Eastern (and I’m biased)
• Vegan
• Beautiful
• Full of flavorful ingredients

Now I have to come clean here. I’ve never had muhammara. I made this recipe blind (without having tasted the original).

I started doing some research and I wasn’t actually sure the ingredients sounded like they went together that well.

But it intrigued me.

Collecting the various ingredients was actually the most difficult part (details in the Useful Tips section). Once you possess all of the items, it’s pretty easy from there.

We used the new Vitamix Explorian E310 to get the correct texture (that we guessed from Google images).

Here’s what I know. I love hummus and I love baba ghanoush, but muhammara may be a new favorite.

Why? Because it’s:

• Complex
• Photogenic
• Impressive

And because it’s not hummus!

Listen, if you’re hosting some friends for dinner, absolutely crack open a container of store-bought hummus. But if you’re that friend that people look to for amazing meals, make muhammara.

Yes, it’s certainly more fussy than hummus. Yes, it’s something likely no one has tried.

But it’s also all people will be able to talk about.

Just look at it!

So if you want to be the host/ess with the mostess, make this Middle Eastern spread. It’s Instagram worthy 🙂

Recipe

Muhammara (red pepper, pomegranate & walnut) spread

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• Yield: 1 cup (227 g)
• You're needed for: 5 minutes
• Until it's done: 5 minutes
• 5 out of 5 based on 2 user ratings
• Shalva Gale

A unique spread made with red peppers, pomegranate, and walnuts.

Ingredients:

• extra virgin olive oil - 4 Tbsp. (60 mL)
• pomegranate molasses - 1 Tbsp. (20 g)
• roasted red pepper (drained) - 8 oz jar (220 g)
• scallions - 1 Tbsp (5 g)
• lemon (peeled) - garnish sized
• cumin - 1 tsp. (2.6 g)
• salt - 1/2 tsp. (2.8 g)
• crushed red pepper - pinch
• garlic - 1 clove
• walnuts - 1/2 cup (63 g)
• bread crumbs - 4 Tbsp.

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients except bread crumbs to your Vitamix container
2. Ramp from variable speed 1 to 5
3. Blend for 15 seconds (you want to keep some texture)
4. Add the bread crumbs
5. Pulse 5-10 times until combined (add more breadcrumbs if too loose)
6. Top with a drizzle of pomegranate molasses or fresh pom seeds
7. Snap a pic and tag #lifeisNOYOKE (this one is worthy)
8. Enjoy!

Useful tips for Muhammara (red pepper, pomegranate & walnut) spread

The hardest thing to find is the pomegranate molasses. It’s available at specialty food stores (like Whole Foods) or Middle Eastern markets. I’ve had several people ask me where to find the the Middle Eastern spice, Za’atar, lately. If you’re on a mission to a market to pick it up, get yourself some pomegranate molasses too!

If you can’t find pomegranate molasses, make some (that’s what we did)! We boiled down 2 cups of Pom Juice, juice from 1/4 lemon, and 1/3 cup of sugar until it was just 1/2 cup of liquid.

You can make this spread as spicy as you’d like by adding more or less crushed red pepper. We added just a pinch and loved the slight kick. But if you love spicy, by all means, add lots of pinches!

This spread can be served on bread or crackers or used as a dip for chips or veggies. We served it on the side of our falafel dinner the other night!

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