Today we’re sharing how to prepare Muhammara, a spicy dip that originates from Syria.

For preparing it and giving it that delicious final touch we’ve chosen La Cultivada Quintaesencia, which is more than just a blend of olives – it’s a blend of cultures and sacred texts.

The olive tree is revered in both the East and the West, as is mentioned in the Qur’an, in the Surah of Light.

And in the Bible, it’s an olive branch that signals peace following the great flood.

The olive tree symbolizes endurance, which is why it’s been planted in so many homes for generations.

And not only that… did you know that in ancient Greece, uprooting an olive tree was punishable by imprisonment?

The first olive trees are believed to have grown along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the same place where, many years later, a new faith would be born, one that works toward unity and peace in the world.

It’s such a resilient tree that there are still thousand-year-old olive trees growing in those lands.

Like on the Mount of Olives, where you can still find trees dating back to the time of Jesus, with direct descendants of those trees at both at the summit and along the slopes.

With such a noble ingredient, this recipe won’t fail to nourish both soul and spirit.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 red bell peppers
• 1 cup shelled walnuts
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons La Cultivada Quintaesencia
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• Fresh coriander (cilantro)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Roast the peppers for 40 minutes at 190°C (375°F), flipping them halfway through.
2. Once tender, remove from the oven and cover; this will make them easier to peel.
3. When they’re cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and remove the seeds.
4. Place the roasted peppers in a food processor along with all the other ingredients except the cilantro, and blend until smooth.
5. Serve in a bowl, sprinkle with fresh cilantro and some chopped walnuts, and drizzle generously with La Cultivada Quintaesencia.

PRO TIP:

For a thicker, heartier dip, add a small piece of bread or a spoonful of oats while blending.

Elena Vecino

Read here my “Cultivated Recipes“