Red pepper and walnut spread - muhammara

A chili spread made of red pepper, walnuts, onions, bread crumbs, lemon juice and olive oil. A tasty appetizer served with pita bread.

Ingredients

 4 persons
2 cups walnuts, coarsely ground, or 250 g whole walnuts
1 cup bread crumbs
5 teaspoons dried red chili pepper powder, diluted in 1/3 cup of warm water
1 1/2 cups olive oil
8 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons pomegranate syrup, if available
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps

1. In a food processor, blend the ground walnuts, the bread crumbs and olive oil together.

2. Add the red chili pepper powder diluted in 1/3 cup of water, and the lemon juice. Blend again.

3. Finally, mix in the pomegranate syrup, the cumin and the salt.

4. The end result should be a smooth paste that is reddish/ light brown.

5. Serve with pita bread.