Roasted Red Pepper And Walnut Dip

Ingredients

• 450 g roasted red peppers
• 120 g raw walnut halves
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small garlic clove
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
• 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Toast the Walnuts. Place a small, dry skillet over medium heat. Add the walnut halves and toast for 3-5 minutes, shaking the pan frequently. You're looking for them to become fragrant and take on a slightly darker color. Be careful—they can burn quickly! Once toasted, pour them onto a plate to cool completely. This step is what gives the dip its incredible, nutty foundation.
2. Prep Your Peppers. Open your jars of roasted red peppers and drain them in a colander. For an extra-dry dip, spread the peppers on a few layers of paper towels and gently press down with more towels to absorb any excess moisture. This might seem like a small thing, but it makes a huge difference in achieving a thick, scoopable consistency.
3. Combine the Ingredients. In the bowl of your food processor, combine the well-drained peppers, the cooled toasted walnuts, minced garlic, lemon juice, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Drizzle in the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Pulse a few times to roughly chop everything before you let it run.
4. Blend to Perfection. Now, process the mixture for a full 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides once or twice with a spatula. You'll notice it start to transform from chunky to a thick, rustic puree. We're not aiming for a perfectly silky-smooth hummus; a little texture from the walnuts is exactly what we want.
5. Taste and Adjust. This is the most important step. Stop the processor and taste your creation. Does it need more salt? A bit more lemon juice for brightness? Maybe another pinch of smoked paprika for smokiness? Adjust the seasonings to your liking and process for another 10 seconds to combine.
6. Serve and Garnish. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Create a few swirls on the surface with the back of a spoon. Drizzle generously with a high-quality extra virgin olive oil and finish with a light dusting of smoked paprika or a few reserved chopped walnuts for a beautiful presentation.