Acuka

A thick, mildly spicy no-cook meze of red pepper paste, coarsely ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses. Serve it with toasted bread or lavash as part of a meze spread.

Ingredients

• 150 g red pepper paste
• 150 g walnuts
• 60 g breadcrumbs
• 60 g (4 tbsp) olive oil
• 30 g (2 tbsp) tomato paste
• 12 g (3 cloves) garlic
• 15 g pomegranate molasses
• 4 g (2 tsp) ground cumin
• 6 g (2 tsp) red pepper flakes
• 2 g (2 tsp) dried thyme
• 3 g (1/2 tsp) salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Pulse the walnuts in a food processor or crush them in a mortar until coarsely ground; do not grind them to a powder.

2. 2

   Peel the garlic and crush it with the salt into a paste.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, whisk the red pepper paste, tomato paste, olive oil and pomegranate molasses with a spoon for 1-2 minutes until smooth.

4. 4

   Stir in the crushed garlic, cumin, red pepper flakes and thyme.

5. 5

   Add the breadcrumbs and ground walnuts and mix well, almost kneading, until you have a thick, spreadable paste.

6. 6

   Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes so the flavors come together. Spread on a serving plate, swirl the top with the back of a spoon and serve.

Nutrition

Per serving