Muhammara

If you've eaten Turkish food before, you might recognize muhammara as acuka. In either case, the dish is the same: a paste or thick dip made primarily of crushed chili peppers.

Aleppo peppers, which were born in the Syrian city of Aleppo, are commonly used, either fresh or dried. They are rated as relatively mild, providing the dish with a heat that isn't overpowering. The other ingredients in muhammara then add a subtle sweetness that complements the peppers' natural profile. Crushed walnuts, spices like cumin, pomegranate juice, or molasses, and breadcrumbs are among them. Muhammara can be eaten with bread or as a sauce or marinade for kebabs and other popular grilled meats in the country.