Best 2 Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Spread Recipes
**Discover the Delightful World of Ajvar: Exploring Roasted Red Pepper Spread Recipes**
Embark on a culinary journey to the Balkans with ajvar, a vibrant roasted red pepper spread. This beloved condiment is a staple in regional cuisines, enjoyed as a dip, spread, or marinade. Explore a collection of carefully curated ajvar recipes, each offering unique flavor profiles to tantalize your taste buds. Dive into the classic Serbian ajvar, a smoky and subtly spicy delight, or embark on a journey to Macedonia with a sweet and tangy variation. Experience the vibrant flavors of Romania with a roasted red pepper and eggplant ajvar, or explore the aromatic delights of Bulgaria with a roasted pepper and tomato spread. These ajvar recipes are not just a culinary experience; they are a celebration of Balkan heritage and a testament to the region's rich culinary traditions.
AJVAR (ROASTED RED PEPPER SPREAD)
A versatile Roasted Red Pepper Spread that can be served with bread, crackers, vegies with or without cream cheese or on meats and fish. Also, good in the middle of a grilled cheese sandwich made with pepper jack cheese and rye or whole wheat bread. I love Trader Joe's Roasted Red Pepper spread but I am allergic to sunflower oil and had to find a way to make my own. I found this recipe in a newspaper article and then tweaked it to my taste.
Provided by Nado2003
Categories Spreads
Time 40m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to broil. Halve each pepper, discarding stems and seeds. Place peppers, cut side down, on an old baking sheet or one lined with foil.
- Cut eggplant in half lengthwise and score with a knife, drizzle it with about 2 tablespoons olive oil and a little salt and place it on a second baking sheet.
- Place one of the oven racks roughly 3 to 4 inches below the heat; place peppers on this rack. The eggplant should sit on a lower rack.
- Broil the peppers and eggplant, turning the peppers occasionally until they are well roasted on all sides, roughly 15 to 20 minutes. The eggplant may be done first; if so, remove it and set it aside to cool. To test eggplant for doneness press on it with a fork to make sure it's soft all the way through. I use an an outdoor grill to cook the peppers and eggplant, no oil. I make sure most of the skin on the peppers are blackened.
- When you remove the peppers from the oven, place them in a bowl, sprinkle them with a little water, and cover with a clean dishcloth. Leave it for about 10 minutes. This step steams and lifts the skins, making it easy to peel the peppers once they've cooled. (Another method to loosen skins is to place the peppers in a paper sack, fold over to close and leave it for 15 minutes).
- While waiting for the red pepper skin to lift. Use a large spoon to remove the pulp of the eggplant, leaving the skin behind. Discard the thickest seeds, but don't get nit-picky. Put eggplant in a food processor or a blender (I use a stick blender in a deep bowl) with olive oil and smashed and chopped garlic cloves. Pulse the eggplant a few times so that it's chopped with the other ingredients but not totally pureed. Put this in a bowl and set aside.
- Once peppers are cool enough to handle, peel them with your fingers or a knife. Add peppers to the food processor or blender and pulse 5 to 8 times to chop coarsely. Add the eggplant mixture to the chopped peppers, season to taste with salt, pepper, vinegar and dried chili flakes, pulse 3 or 4 times to mix.
- If you wish, garnish it with more finely diced garlic and a few scattered basil leaves. Serve ajvar with toasted bread slices drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 27.3, Fat 0.3, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 2.3, Carbohydrate 6.3, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 3.6, Protein 1.1
RED PEPPER-EGGPLANT AJVAR
Ajvar is a lush, piquant spread based on roasted red peppers and olive oil. It has the same kind of tangy sweetness that ketchup adds to a burger.
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories easy, condiments, dips and spreads
Time 1h
Yield 1 1/2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Heat oven to 475 degrees. Place peppers, eggplant and garlic on a baking sheet and roast; remove garlic after 10 minutes and place in a large bowl. Continue roasting peppers and eggplant until blackened and soft, about 20 minutes more, then add to bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let steam until cool enough to handle. Remove and discard all peels, seeds and stems.
- In a food processor, combine pepper flesh, eggplant flesh and garlic with oil and salt and pepper; pulse until mixture is almost smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve with Balkan burgers (pljeskavica, see recipe) or as a dip.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 222, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 13 grams, Fat 19 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 517 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams
Tips:
- Choose ripe, firm red bell peppers for the best flavor and texture.
- Roast the peppers over an open flame or under a broiler until the skins are blackened and blistered. This will help to caramelize the peppers and give them a smoky flavor.
- Remove the skins from the peppers once they are cool enough to handle. This will make the ajvar smoother and easier to spread.
- Use a food processor or blender to puree the peppers until they are smooth. You can also chop them by hand, but this will take longer.
- Add garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Serve ajvar as a spread on bread, crackers, or vegetables. It can also be used as a condiment for grilled meats or fish.
Conclusion:
Ajvar is a delicious and versatile roasted red pepper spread that is easy to make at home. With its smoky flavor and vibrant color, it is sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering. So next time you have a few extra red bell peppers, give this recipe a try.
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