Middle Eastern Walnut and Pomegranate Spread
1 cup walnut pieces
1 roasted red pepper
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 clove garlic
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped (or pinch of cayenne)
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon pomegranate Molasses
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
I made this recipe 3 times in the first week I discovered it!
Toast the walnuts in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or dry-fry them on the stove top, stirring every once in a while. I find im less likely to forget about them and burn them on the stove, and it doesn't consume as much energy either.
Put the walnuts in a food processor. Cut the red pepper into chunks and put in processor with the nuts. Add remaining ingredients and process until a spreadable consistency. (It will not be completely smooth)
Refrigerate and serve chilled or at room temperature as a spread for crostini, flat bread or slices of fresh baguette.
** Pomegranate Molasses is used in Middle Eastern cooking. It is absolutely delicious and should be available in ethnic or specialty food shops. You can supposedly substitute 1 teaspoon of honey mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice but I REALLY recommend trying to find the molasses.
SO HOW'D IT GO?
Pomegranate molasses is just a reduction of pomegranate juice, so you can make it yourself if you can't find it (or just don't want to buy it) pre-made. To get two tablespoons molasses, bring 195ml (3/4 cup) juice to a boil, then simmer (uncovered) on medium until it reduces to two tablespoons (probably around six minutes). Let this cool before using; it will thicken up quite a bit.
If you only want the one tablespoon, obviously you can just halve this, but you'll need a pretty small pan.
I've never tried, but I assume you could probably do this with some other juice if you can't even get a hold of pomegranate juice.
I've got a pretty similar recipe for muhammara (this stuff) but I will definitely try this one! Looks like you've got the essential flavours down to easier to find ingredients in North America. ;)b