Muhammara Is a Middle Eastern Spread
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp instant yeast
- 1/2 tbs sugar
- 1 1/2 c lukewarm water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- muhammara:
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1-2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tbs tomato paste
- 4 tbs olive oil
- salt, black & white pepper to taste
- garnish:
- sesame & nigella seeds
- walnuts, roughly chopped
Preparation
Sauté onions in 4 tbs of olive oil just until they soften
Add garlic – sauté until mixture is fragrant
Add chopped tomatoes, salt, black & white pepper to it and let cook for 1 min
Add tomato & red capsicum paste (chilli if using) then lower the heat & allow to combine for 5-10 mins or until sauce thickened a bit
Turn off heat, add pomegranate molasses
Allow to cool
To roll & bake the manakeesh:
Pre-heat oven to its hottest setting
Divide dough into 5 equal balls on a floured counter
Roll out the first dough ball into a circle
Place the rolled out dough on a pizza board sprinkled with semolina
Top the surface with a thin spread of muhammara, leaving a crust border
Let it rest for about 5 mins before going in the oven
Bake for 5-8 mins, or until edges start to brown and bread is cooked through
Repeat with remaining dough
Garnish: sprinkle sesame & nigella seeds, walnuts & drizzle of olive oil