Muhammara

Muhammara is a Turkish walnut/garlic spread. The garlic gives it a nice kick. This recipe is a combination of many recipes I have tried.

1 12 oz jar roasted red peppers - or 2 fresh roasted red peppers
2/3 C walnuts - toast in a dry frying pan for a couple minutes.
12 cloves garlic
2/3 C breadcrumbs
2 T extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 t ground cumin
1/4 t red pepper flakes
1/4 C pomegranate syrup (see below)
juice and zest from 1/2 lemon

Lightly toast the walnuts in a dry frying pan for several minutes. Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until very smooth. It should not be gritty. Add salt to taste. Refrigerate several hours before serving, but serve at room temperature.

Serve with tosted pita triangles, toasted French bread or sesame crackers.

Pomegranate Syrup
Boil pomegranate juice until reduced by half. I make an entire jar and freeze it in ice cube trays. Works great in pomegranate martinis, too.