Muhammara

My husband, Douglas, is cursed with an Armenian double-whammy.
Not only is he allergic to eggplant, an Armenian staple, he’s also allergic to walnuts, which are sometimes ground up and hidden in recipes.
We ALWAYS have to ask if either of these ingredients have been used when dining away from home.
I am his “food detective” in restaurants, or when dining at events where an individual’s dietary restrictions aren’t necessarily considered.

Needless to say, we don’t use either of these ingredients in our home cooking and have learned to use suitable alternatives in recipes that call for either of them.

One recipe which I enjoy, Muhammara, is one of those recipes with “hidden”, ground-up walnuts. Fortunately, I am aware of this, and can steer Doug away, leaving more for me!
I do make a special home-version of Muhammara using pine nuts so Doug can enjoy it, and I’m happy to share it with you as well.

Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper & Pine Nut Spread)

Ingredients:
2 – 8 oz. jars roasted red peppers, drained & rinsed
1 cup toasted pine nuts ** (see below)
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. pomegranate juice – or – 2 tsp. lemon juice – or – 2 tsp. pomegranate molasses (sold in Middles Eastern stores)
½ tsp. cumin
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
¼ cup olive oil
Directions:
1. Puree all ingredients EXCEPT olive oil in a food processor until almost smooth.
2. With the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil, blending until incorporated.
(NOTE: This can be made a day in advance.)
3. Serve with crackers, toasted pita chips, or assorted vegetable dippers.

** How to Toast Pine Nuts:
Place the pine nuts in a dry, non-stick pan. (Do not use oil.)
Turn the heat to medium.
Shake the pan every 30 seconds, tossing the pine nuts.
When they are lightly golden brown, remove from heat. Cool.