FOOD NEWS
Muhammara Is The Middle Eastern Dip That Takes Sweet-And-Savory To New Heights
BY MATTHEW SPINA
Muhammara is a delicious Middle Eastern dip from Aleppo, Syria. It's popular across the Mediterranean region, especially in neighboring countries like Lebanon and Turkey.
Muhammara is a popular addition to spreads of meze, or small plates and dips that serve as appetizers and light meals. The dip's deep red color reflects its rich flavor.
Roasted red peppers, Aleppo peppers, pomegranate molasses, and walnuts are blended with olive oil to make muhammara, creating a savory, sour, and sweet flavor.
The dip may also include lemon juice, garlic, and/or cumin. Compared to the mild nutty and beany flavors of other meze dips, muhammara is bright, complex, and intense.
Muhammara can be served with a simple pita, as well as fresh veggies like cucumber and carrot sticks and other meze dishes like grape leaves and tabbouleh salad.
When paired with ful medames, crunchy falafel, charred chicken or lamb kebabs, or a Mediterranean wrap, Muhammara can become the basis of a whole meal.
This dip can also work as a topping for roasted meats or sandwiches. You can even turn pita and muhammara into a flatbread pizza, topped with veggies and crumbled cheese.