Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip)

Muhammara is Aleppo’s gift to the mezze table — a deep-red spread of roasted peppers and walnuts, sweetened with pomegranate molasses and warmed with the city’s famous pepper flakes. It comes out of the long tradition of walnut sauces that Aleppo cooks have perfected over centuries, and it is served everywhere from street stalls to grand restaurants. Smoky, sweet, and gently spicy, it is the color of a desert sunset and tastes even better than it looks. It keeps for a week in the fridge, if it lasts that long.

Smoky, sweet, and gently fiery

Roasting the peppers until their skins blacken gives the spread its smoky soul, while the walnuts add a coarse, buttery richness. Pomegranate molasses brings tart sweetness, and Aleppo pepper — fruity rather than scorching — leaves a warm glow on the tongue. Spread it thick on warm bread, or serve it with crisp vegetables for dipping.

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